Marcus Haber
Encyclopedia
Marcus Haber is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays as a striker for St. Johnstone of the Scottish Premier League
.
and Lord Byng Secondary schools. He played club soccer for Dunbar SA from 1994 to 2002.
to a national championship. He played for the Whitecaps FC Reserves in the Pacific Coast Soccer League
in 2006, and spent two seasons playing striker for the U-19 team of FC Groningen of the Dutch Eredivisie
.
Haber joined English League One
club Leeds United
on a trial basis, participating in their pre-season tour to Ireland at the start of the 2008–09 season, and played in the Whites' friendly against Galway United
. He made his first start, and scored his first goal, for Leeds in a friendly against Bray Wanderers. However, Leeds did not offer him a contract, and after his last game against Barnet
he began looking for another club.
(where he played one match against York City
), and Gillingham
in England's League Two, Haber returned to Canada and joined the Vancouver Whitecaps on 11 February 2009.
Haber claimed both the Newcomer of the Year and Fan Favourite awards after a successful first season with the Whitecaps. The striker was one of seven USL-1 players to appear in every regular season match for his club that year, with Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly
being another player to achieve the same feat during the 2009 season. Haber scored his first goal for the club on 18 April 2009, during a 2–1 away defeat to the Puerto Rico Islanders
. The goal earned Haber a spot in the USL-1 Team of the Week for Week Two. In the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, Haber scored the winning goal in the Whitecaps 2–0 away win over the Montreal Impact
on 20 May, scoring just 33 seconds into the match. Haber set the record for the quickest goal scored in a Nutrilite Canadian Championship match. He also scored a consolation goal in a 2–1 home defeat to the Montreal Impact
on 7 June. On 23 June, Haber scored Vancouver's first goal in a 2–2 away draw versus the Cleveland City Stars
. The striker then earned a place in the USL-1 Team of the Week for Week 14 after claiming a goal and an assist in a 4–0 home win over the Minnesota Thunder
on 9 July. On 25 July, he scored the first goal during a 4–2 home win over the Puerto Rico Islanders
before scoring the first goal in a 1–1 draw at Carolina RailHawks on 18 August. Haber then scored the opening goal during the 1–1 away draw to Minnesota Thunder
on 4 Sept.. and the equalizer during a 2–1 home win over Austin Aztex
on 13 September.
He then scored with his head in both legs of the play-off semi-final series versus Portland Timbers
as the Whitecaps advanced to the USL-1 Championship Series after a 5–4 aggregate victory. In the first leg of the USL-1 Championship Series, Haber scored one of his best goals of the season during a 3–2 home defeat to Canadian rivals Montreal Impact
on 10 October.
After the season on 9 October 2009 Haber was named as Rookie of the Year in the USL First Division
. In November 2009 he spent four days training with West Bromwich Albion
of the English Championship
.
team West Bromwich Albion
agreed a deal with the Whitecaps to sign Haber for an undisclosed fee, subject to the player agreeing personal terms and passing a medical at The Hawthorns
. West Brom announced his move to the club was complete on the on 12 January. He was given a squad number of 40.
outfit Exeter City
on a month-long loan deal on 18 February 2010. After three months in England, he returned to Canada and re-joined on 9 April 2010 to Vancouver Whitecaps on two-month loan deal.
side St Johnstone
signed Haber on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal for St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup against Queen of the South on 21 September 2010. He followed this up with his first league goal for the club against Hibernian on 2 October 2010. He suffered a knee injury in November, and received surgery on 29 November 2010.
Released by West Bromwich Albion on 4 July 2011, Haber signed a one-year deal with St Johnstone on 22 July 2011. He made his season debut on 30 July 2011 in a 0–0 home draw against Aberdeen
. After continuing to make frequent substitute appearances throughout the season Haber scored his first goal in a 3-1 victory over Hibernian after coming on as a first half sub for Cillian Sheridan
on November 26.
roster. He represented Canada in all 3 of their games in the U-20 World Cup
as a centerback. In 2008 he made three Pre-Olympic Qualifying appearances in Canada’s unsuccessful campaign to reach the 2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing, China. He was a member of Canada's squad that tried to qualify for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
in Egypt. Haber made his debut for the senior side
in a 2–2 away friendly against Ukraine
on 8 October 2010.
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Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
.
Early life
Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Haber is the oldest child of David and Carla Haber. He became proficient at soccer as well as baseball and basketball and attended Lord Kitchener ElementaryLord Kitchener Elementary School
Lord Kitchener Elementary School in Vancouver, British Columbia, is an elementary school. The school opened in 1914, with a small frame building and a much larger main school. It has recently been a candidate in the Vancouver Seismec Upgrade program. Kitchener maintains a steady population of...
and Lord Byng Secondary schools. He played club soccer for Dunbar SA from 1994 to 2002.
Early career
In early 2006, Haber helped lead his local team the Vancouver SelectsWhitecaps FC Prospects
Whitecaps FC Prospects is a Canadian soccer team based in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 2008, the team plays in Pacific Coast Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, which features teams from western Canada and the Pacific...
to a national championship. He played for the Whitecaps FC Reserves in the Pacific Coast Soccer League
Pacific Coast Soccer League
The Pacific Coast Soccer League is a soccer league featuring teams from British Columbia, although the league has also featured teams from Washington in the past as well...
in 2006, and spent two seasons playing striker for the U-19 team of FC Groningen of the Dutch Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
.
Haber joined English League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
on a trial basis, participating in their pre-season tour to Ireland at the start of the 2008–09 season, and played in the Whites' friendly against Galway United
Galway United
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football....
. He made his first start, and scored his first goal, for Leeds in a friendly against Bray Wanderers. However, Leeds did not offer him a contract, and after his last game against Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
he began looking for another club.
Vancouver Whitecaps
After unsuccessful trials with Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
(where he played one match against York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
), and Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
in England's League Two, Haber returned to Canada and joined the Vancouver Whitecaps on 11 February 2009.
Haber claimed both the Newcomer of the Year and Fan Favourite awards after a successful first season with the Whitecaps. The striker was one of seven USL-1 players to appear in every regular season match for his club that year, with Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly
Jay Nolly
Jay Nolly is an American soccer player currently playing for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer.-College:...
being another player to achieve the same feat during the 2009 season. Haber scored his first goal for the club on 18 April 2009, during a 2–1 away defeat to the Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
. The goal earned Haber a spot in the USL-1 Team of the Week for Week Two. In the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, Haber scored the winning goal in the Whitecaps 2–0 away win over the Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
on 20 May, scoring just 33 seconds into the match. Haber set the record for the quickest goal scored in a Nutrilite Canadian Championship match. He also scored a consolation goal in a 2–1 home defeat to the Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
on 7 June. On 23 June, Haber scored Vancouver's first goal in a 2–2 away draw versus the Cleveland City Stars
Cleveland City Stars
Cleveland City Stars was an American professional soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until 2009...
. The striker then earned a place in the USL-1 Team of the Week for Week 14 after claiming a goal and an assist in a 4–0 home win over the Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
on 9 July. On 25 July, he scored the first goal during a 4–2 home win over the Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
before scoring the first goal in a 1–1 draw at Carolina RailHawks on 18 August. Haber then scored the opening goal during the 1–1 away draw to Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
on 4 Sept.. and the equalizer during a 2–1 home win over Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex FC was an American professional soccer team based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2008, the team played in the USL First Division, and in the USL Division of the USSF D2 Pro League, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
on 13 September.
He then scored with his head in both legs of the play-off semi-final series versus Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
as the Whitecaps advanced to the USL-1 Championship Series after a 5–4 aggregate victory. In the first leg of the USL-1 Championship Series, Haber scored one of his best goals of the season during a 3–2 home defeat to Canadian rivals Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
on 10 October.
After the season on 9 October 2009 Haber was named as Rookie of the Year in 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....
. In November 2009 he spent four days training with West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
of the English Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
.
West Bromwich Albion
On 6 January 2010, ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
team West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
agreed a deal with the Whitecaps to sign Haber for an undisclosed fee, subject to the player agreeing personal terms and passing a medical at The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
. West Brom announced his move to the club was complete on the on 12 January. He was given a squad number of 40.
Exeter City (loan)
After only making two reserve appearances, Haber moved to League OneFootball League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
outfit Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
on a month-long loan deal on 18 February 2010. After three months in England, he returned to Canada and re-joined on 9 April 2010 to Vancouver Whitecaps on two-month loan deal.
St. Johnstone
On 30 July 2010 Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side St Johnstone
St Johnstone F.C.
St. Johnstone F.C. is a professional football club based in Perth, Scotland. Although it is officially recorded as being formed in 1884, the club did not play its first game until February 1885. The club's home since 1989 has been McDiarmid Park....
signed Haber on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal for St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup against Queen of the South on 21 September 2010. He followed this up with his first league goal for the club against Hibernian on 2 October 2010. He suffered a knee injury in November, and received surgery on 29 November 2010.
Released by West Bromwich Albion on 4 July 2011, Haber signed a one-year deal with St Johnstone on 22 July 2011. He made his season debut on 30 July 2011 in a 0–0 home draw against Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. After continuing to make frequent substitute appearances throughout the season Haber scored his first goal in a 3-1 victory over Hibernian after coming on as a first half sub for Cillian Sheridan
Cillian Sheridan
Cillian Sheridan is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for St. Johnstone on loan from CSKA Sofia. Sheridan is an international for the Republic of Ireland...
on November 26.
International career
Haber has represented his country from U-15 through to the U-23 Olympic levels, has played on Canadian National U-17 team, and is on Canada's U-20 World Cup2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
roster. He represented Canada in all 3 of their games in the U-20 World Cup
2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
as a centerback. In 2008 he made three Pre-Olympic Qualifying appearances in Canada’s unsuccessful campaign to reach the 2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing, China. He was a member of Canada's squad that tried to qualify for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
FIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
in Egypt. Haber made his debut for the senior side
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
in a 2–2 away friendly against Ukraine
Ukraine national football team
The Ukraine national football team is the national football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine. After Ukrainian Independence and breakaway from the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Hungary on 29 April 1992...
on 8 October 2010.
Statistics
| Club | Season | League | League | Cup | League Cup | Playoffs | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | |||
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 2009 USL First Division The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.... |
USL-1 | 30 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| 6 | 3 | 0 | 39 | |12 | |4 | ||||||||||||
| West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
2009–10 Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exeter City Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... (loan) |
2009–10 Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps (loan) | 2010 USL First Division The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.... |
USSF D2 USSF Division 2 Professional League USSF Division 2 Professional League was a temporary professional soccer league created by the United States Soccer Federation in 2010 to last just one season. The twelve-team league was formed as a compromise between the feuding United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League... |
11 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | |2 | |2 | ||||||||||||
| St. Johnstone (loan) | 2010–11 Scottish Premier League The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland... |
Scottish Premier League Scottish Premier League The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland... |
11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | |2 | 0 |
| St. Johnstone | 2011–12 Scottish Premier League The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland... |
Scottish Premier League Scottish Premier League The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland... |
13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| Career Total | 70 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 87 | 17 | 7 | ||
International stats
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Honours
- 2005: British Columbia Soccer Association (BCSA) Youth Player of the Year
- 2006: British Columbia Soccer Association (BCSA) Youth Player of the Year
- 2007: BC Premier’s Athletic Award in 2007.
- 2009: USL First Division Rookie of the Year
External links
- Marcus Haber profile at the West Bromwich Albion website
- Canada Soccer profile
- FIFA stats
- Marcus Haber Interview: Life in the Surprising Canadian Soccer Hotbed of Groningen