Kupono Low
Encyclopedia
Kupono Low is an American
soccer player currently playing for Carolina RailHawks
in the North American Soccer League.
in Fremont, California
, and played college soccer
at California State University, Fresno
from 1999–2002, where he was selected for the PAC-10 Men's Soccer All-Conference First Team in 2002.
In 2000, also played with the Central Coast Roadrunners
in the USL Premier Development League
.
in the third division USL Pro Select League in 2003. He moved to the Syracuse Salty Dogs
of the USL A-League in 2004, before signing with Irish side Sligo Rovers, whom he helped win promotion to the Premier Division. He was also a firm fan favorite at Rovers, and in recognition of his performance with the team he was named to eleven-a-side.com's Eircom FAI First Division
Team of the Year for 2005.
In the spring of 2005, Low returned to the United States and joined the Virginia Beach Mariners
. He played two seasons with the Mariners, but after the team suspended operations in 2007, Low signed with the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division
, scoring the first goal in the team's history in their inaugural game. He finished the season as a second team USL-1 All Star and the team's MVP.
While still playing for Carolina, the California Cougars
of Major Indoor Soccer League
drafted Low in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2007 MISL Supplemental Draft; he subsequently played in four games for the Cougars in 2007–2008, during the USL off-season.
in January 2008, in a friendly match against Bermuda
. Low scored his first international goal against Trinidad and Tobago
in January 2008 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Low earned his three caps before the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol
modified its eligibility requirement. All U.S. citizens used to be eligible for Puerto Rico national teams, but now the player pool is restricted to players who have lived on the island for at least two years, meaning that Low is no longer eligible for the Puerto Rico national team per federation rules.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player currently playing for Carolina RailHawks
Carolina RailHawks FC
Carolina RailHawks FC is an American professional soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in the North American Soccer League.
College and Amateur
Low attended Irvington High SchoolIrvington High School (Fremont, California)
Irvington High School is an American public high school located in Fremont, California. It is one of five public high schools in the Fremont Unified School District.-Campus:...
in Fremont, California
Fremont, California
Fremont is a city in Alameda County, California. It was incorporated on January 23, 1956, from the merger of five smaller communities: Centerville, Niles, Irvington, Mission San Jose, and Warm Springs...
, and played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
from 1999–2002, where he was selected for the PAC-10 Men's Soccer All-Conference First Team in 2002.
In 2000, also played with the Central Coast Roadrunners
Central Coast Roadrunners
Central Coast Roadrunners were an American soccer team, founded in 1996. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2002, after which the team left the league and the franchise rights were transferred to the...
in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.
Professional
Low began his professional career with the California GoldCalifornia Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...
in the third division USL Pro Select League in 2003. He moved to the Syracuse Salty Dogs
Syracuse Salty Dogs
The Syracuse Salty Dogs were a professional men's soccer team based in Syracuse, New York. The club were a member of the USL A-League, playing only two seasons from 2003-2004. The club was owned and operated by the Syracuse Pro Sports Group and played most home games at P&C Stadium...
of the USL A-League in 2004, before signing with Irish side Sligo Rovers, whom he helped win promotion to the Premier Division. He was also a firm fan favorite at Rovers, and in recognition of his performance with the team he was named to eleven-a-side.com's Eircom FAI First Division
FAI First Division
The League of Ireland First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Ireland's national football league, the League of Ireland. The division was formed in 1985 as a result of the decision to split the League of Ireland into two divisions, which also created the League of Ireland Premier...
Team of the Year for 2005.
In the spring of 2005, Low returned to the United States and joined the Virginia Beach Mariners
Virginia Beach Mariners
The Virginia Beach Mariners were an American soccer club, who formerly played in the USL First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, the second division in the US Soccer hierarchy behind Major League Soccer...
. He played two seasons with the Mariners, but after the team suspended operations in 2007, Low signed with the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
, scoring the first goal in the team's history in their inaugural game. He finished the season as a second team USL-1 All Star and the team's MVP.
While still playing for Carolina, the California Cougars
California Cougars
The California Cougars are an indoor soccer team, founded in 2004. The team is a charter member of the Professional Arena Soccer League , the first division of arena soccer in North America....
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
drafted Low in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2007 MISL Supplemental Draft; he subsequently played in four games for the Cougars in 2007–2008, during the USL off-season.
International
Despite being born in Hawaii, Low was called up to and made his debut for the Puerto Rico national football teamPuerto Rico national football team
The Puerto Rico national football team is the national team of Puerto Rico and is controlled by Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol. Puerto Rico's national football team is a member of the Caribbean Football Union, part of the CONCACAF....
in January 2008, in a friendly match against Bermuda
Bermuda national football team
The Bermuda national football team is the national team of Bermuda and is controlled by the Bermuda Football Association. A member of CONCACAF, it is not among its strongest teams....
. Low scored his first international goal against Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
in January 2008 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Low earned his three caps before the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol
Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol
The Puerto Rican Football Federation is the governing body of football in Puerto Rico, it was founded in 1940 and became affiliated to FIFA in 1960, one of the last to do so in the Western Hemisphere...
modified its eligibility requirement. All U.S. citizens used to be eligible for Puerto Rico national teams, but now the player pool is restricted to players who have lived on the island for at least two years, meaning that Low is no longer eligible for the Puerto Rico national team per federation rules.