Mike Zaher
Encyclopedia
Michael Rory Zaher is an American
soccer player, currently playing for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.
in Las Vegas, Nevada
, who he led to the Nevada high school state championship in 2002; he scored 34 goals as a senior, 25 as a junior, 13 as a sophomore and six as a freshman for a total of 78 career goals. He also led his club soccer team, Las Vegas Premier, to seven Nevada state championships.
Zaher played college soccer
at UCLA, where he majored in political science. He played in 70 games over four seasons, scoring twice in the run-up to the 2006 NCAA soccer championship game in St. Louis, which UCLA lost 2-1 to UC Santa Barbara. Zaher is a former member of the U.S. U-18 National Team, was listed at #21 in Soccer America’s Top 25 recruits list, is a two-time Parade All-American, was a member of the 2004 McDonald’s All-American team and the 2003 NSCAA/adidas All-American team, was the Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2004, and was selected to the ESP All-Star Team in 2002 and 2003.
During his college years, Zaher also played in the USL Premier Development League
, for Boulder Rapids Reserve
and the San Fernando Valley Quakes
.
side Toronto FC
. However, his rights were traded to D.C. United
for an undisclosed pick, and he was officially signed to the development roster on 17 April 2008. He made his professional debut for DC on 19 July 2008, coming on as a second half substitute for Bryan Namoff
in a SuperLiga
game against Houston Dynamo
, and made his first MLS appearance came on August 20, 2008, starting against New England Revolution
.
On March 16, 2009, Zaher signed a developmental contract with the San Jose Earthquakes
.
Zaher featured in 10 MLS games for San Jose before being released at the end of the 2009 season; he signed terms with USL Second Division
side Charleston Battery
on March 23, 2010.
After two years with Charleston, Zaher signed with USL side Rochester Rhinos on November 28, 2011.
".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player, currently playing for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.
College and Amateur
Zaher attended Bishop Gorman High SchoolBishop Gorman High School
Bishop Gorman High School is a Roman Catholic private preparatory school located in Summerlin, in Clark County, Nevada, United States serving the Las Vegas area for over 50 years. The school is administered by the Diocese of Las Vegas...
in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, who he led to the Nevada high school state championship in 2002; he scored 34 goals as a senior, 25 as a junior, 13 as a sophomore and six as a freshman for a total of 78 career goals. He also led his club soccer team, Las Vegas Premier, to seven Nevada state championships.
Zaher 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 UCLA, where he majored in political science. He played in 70 games over four seasons, scoring twice in the run-up to the 2006 NCAA soccer championship game in St. Louis, which UCLA lost 2-1 to UC Santa Barbara. Zaher is a former member of the U.S. U-18 National Team, was listed at #21 in Soccer America’s Top 25 recruits list, is a two-time Parade All-American, was a member of the 2004 McDonald’s All-American team and the 2003 NSCAA/adidas All-American team, was the Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2004, and was selected to the ESP All-Star Team in 2002 and 2003.
During his college years, Zaher also played 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...
, for Boulder Rapids Reserve
Boulder Rapids Reserve
Colorado Rapids U23's was an American soccer team based in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Founded in 2000 as part of the development system for the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
and the San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
.
Professional
Zaher was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2008 MLS Superdraft by Canadian Major League SoccerMajor League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
side Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
. However, his rights were traded to D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
for an undisclosed pick, and he was officially signed to the development roster on 17 April 2008. He made his professional debut for DC on 19 July 2008, coming on as a second half substitute for Bryan Namoff
Bryan Namoff
Bryan Namoff is a retired American soccer player who last played for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
in a SuperLiga
North American SuperLiga
The SuperLiga was an official North American association football competition between teams from the Primera División of Mexico and Major League Soccer of the United States and Canada, the top divisions in each country. The competition was sanctioned by CONCACAF, U.S...
game against Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
, and made his first MLS appearance came on August 20, 2008, starting against New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
.
On March 16, 2009, Zaher signed a developmental contract with the San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
.
Zaher featured in 10 MLS games for San Jose before being released at the end of the 2009 season; he signed terms with 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...
side Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
on March 23, 2010.
After two years with Charleston, Zaher signed with USL side Rochester Rhinos on November 28, 2011.
Personal
Zaher has also dabbled in acting, featuring as the leading man in JoJo's music video for her 2006 single "Too Little Too LateToo Little Too Late
"Too Little Too Late" is a song written by Billy Steinberg, Josh Alexander, and Ruth-Anne Cunningham for JoJo's second studio album The High Road. It was co-produced by Alexander, Vincent Herbert, and Billy Steinberg. "Too Little Too Late" was released as the album's first single in North America...
".
Charleston Battery
- USL Second DivisionUSL Second DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
Champions (1): 20102010 United Soccer LeaguesThe 2010 season is the 24th season played by the United Soccer Leagues. Season titles will be contested by 6 professional men's clubs in the USL Second Division, 29 professional and amateur women's clubs in the W-League, and 68 professional and amateur men's teams in the USL Premier Development... - USL Second DivisionUSL Second DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
Regular Season Champions (1): 20102010 United Soccer LeaguesThe 2010 season is the 24th season played by the United Soccer Leagues. Season titles will be contested by 6 professional men's clubs in the USL Second Division, 29 professional and amateur women's clubs in the W-League, and 68 professional and amateur men's teams in the USL Premier Development...