Matthew Baker (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Matthew Baker is an American
soccer player who currently plays for Reading United in the USL Premier Development League
.
. He set school records for most goals in a season (40) most career assists (43), goals (76) and points. He earned First Team All-State, First Team All-Area and All-Lehigh Division I First Team honors. He also was named to the Salisbury All-Tournament Team. He ranked among the region’s all-time top 20 in both goals and points, becoming the 40thknown player in region to score 30-plus goals in a season. Led the Lehigh Valley Conference and Colonial League in scoring and received Lehigh Division Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore. Led team to a second place finish in district play in 2004-05 and four years played.
Joined the Panthers after graduating from Allentown Central Catholic High School for four years of college soccer
at the University of Pittsburgh
. He was his team's team leader in points and goals in his freshman year in 2006 as well as earning Big East Rookie of the Week Honors. In 2009, Baker was voted team captain and earned Most Valuable Player. He was a Big East Academic All-Star all four years. In 2009 he earned a spot on the Big East Academic All Star team. He was also selected as the University of Pittsburgh's Male Scholar Athlete of the Year.
During his college years Baker also played for Pennsylvania Stoners
and the Pocono Snow
in the National Premier Soccer League
, alongside his Riverhounds team-mate Alex Weekes
. The Stoners went on to win the NPSL National Championship in 2008.
in the USL Second Division
. He made his professional debut on April 17, 2010 in the team's 2010 season opener against the Real Maryland Monarchs
, and went on to make 18 appearances for the Riverhounds in his debut pro season. He earned Team of the Week honors and finished the season with three assists.
Baker asked to be released by the Riverhounds at the end of the 2010 season to pursue a career in Brazil. He received a contract offer from Flamengo Paraibano of the second division in Brazil. Living conditions forced the team to fold leaving Baker without a team. He signed to play for Reading United in the USL Premier Development League
in 2011. Baker has also played in Philadelphia Union Reserve team matches.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for Reading United 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...
.
College and Amateur
Baker attended Allentown Central Catholic High SchoolAllentown Central Catholic High School
Allentown Central Catholic High School is a private, parochial school located at 301 North Fourth Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
. He set school records for most goals in a season (40) most career assists (43), goals (76) and points. He earned First Team All-State, First Team All-Area and All-Lehigh Division I First Team honors. He also was named to the Salisbury All-Tournament Team. He ranked among the region’s all-time top 20 in both goals and points, becoming the 40thknown player in region to score 30-plus goals in a season. Led the Lehigh Valley Conference and Colonial League in scoring and received Lehigh Division Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore. Led team to a second place finish in district play in 2004-05 and four years played.
Joined the Panthers after graduating from Allentown Central Catholic High School for four years of 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 the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
. He was his team's team leader in points and goals in his freshman year in 2006 as well as earning Big East Rookie of the Week Honors. In 2009, Baker was voted team captain and earned Most Valuable Player. He was a Big East Academic All-Star all four years. In 2009 he earned a spot on the Big East Academic All Star team. He was also selected as the University of Pittsburgh's Male Scholar Athlete of the Year.
During his college years Baker also played for Pennsylvania Stoners
Pennsylvania Stoners
Pennsylvania Stoners is an American soccer team based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2007, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Eastern Keystone Division.The team plays its home...
and the Pocono Snow
Pocono Snow
Pocono Snow is an American soccer team based in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Keystone Division.The team plays its...
in the National Premier Soccer League
National Premier Soccer League
The National Premier Soccer League is a United States soccer league recognized by the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA as a Division IV league...
, alongside his Riverhounds team-mate Alex Weekes
Alex Weekes
Alex Weekes is an American soccer player who last played for Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Second Division.-College and Amateur:...
. The Stoners went on to win the NPSL National Championship in 2008.
Professional
Baker turned professional in 2010 when he signed to play for the Pittsburgh RiverhoundsPittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in the USL Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
. He made his professional debut on April 17, 2010 in the team's 2010 season opener against the Real Maryland Monarchs
Real Maryland Monarchs
Real Maryland F.C., commonly known as the Real Maryland Monarchs, is an American soccer team based in Rockville, Maryland, United States...
, and went on to make 18 appearances for the Riverhounds in his debut pro season. He earned Team of the Week honors and finished the season with three assists.
Baker asked to be released by the Riverhounds at the end of the 2010 season to pursue a career in Brazil. He received a contract offer from Flamengo Paraibano of the second division in Brazil. Living conditions forced the team to fold leaving Baker without a team. He signed to play for Reading United 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...
in 2011. Baker has also played in Philadelphia Union Reserve team matches.