Nikolas Besagno
Encyclopedia
Nikolas Besagno is an American
soccer player currently playing for Kitsap Pumas
in the USL Premier Development League
.
when he was drafted by his former United States Under-17 coach and then Salt Lake boss John Ellinger
. At the age of 16, Besagno, who signed a Generation Adidas
contract with MLS, became the second-youngest player in league history to be drafted, behind 2004's number one overall choice, 14-year-old Freddy Adu
. In June 2008, Real Salt Lake loaned Besagno for ninety days to the Seattle Sounders
of the USL First Division
. His older brother Jacob Besagno had previously spent two seasons with Seattle.
On November 24, 2008, Besagno was released by Real Salt Lake. Besagno started 2009 in camp with Seattle Sounders FC
, but was cut toward the end of January. Having been unable to secure a professional contract, Besagno signed with Tacoma Tide of the USL Premier Development League
for the 2009 season. Besagno is currently playing for PDL rival Kitsap Pumas
.
, was a regular for the Under-17 United States national team
, and later moved up to the Under-20 squad. In 2005, he played two games for the USA U-17 team at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player currently playing for Kitsap Pumas
Kitsap Pumas
Kitsap Pumas is an American soccer team based in Bremerton, Washington, United States. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.Kitsap are the reigning PDL champions,...
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
One of the most touted young players in the country, Besagno became the first overall pick of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft2005 MLS SuperDraft
The 2005 MLS SuperDraft, held in Baltimore, Maryland on January 14, 2005, was the sixth incarnation of the annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Expansion club Real Salt Lake had the first pick as the result of a coin toss . RSL drafted Under-17 midfielder Nikolas Besagno with the first selection...
when he was drafted by his former United States Under-17 coach and then Salt Lake boss John Ellinger
John Ellinger
John Ellinger is a former American soccer coach of the Under-17 United States men's national soccer team, and former head coach of Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer....
. At the age of 16, Besagno, who signed a Generation Adidas
Generation adidas
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry of American players into MLS...
contract with MLS, became the second-youngest player in league history to be drafted, behind 2004's number one overall choice, 14-year-old Freddy Adu
Freddy Adu
Fredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu is a Ghanaian-born American soccer player who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer. He plays primarily as an attacking midfielder, but he is also used as a winger or forward....
. In June 2008, Real Salt Lake loaned Besagno for ninety days to the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
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....
. His older brother Jacob Besagno had previously spent two seasons with Seattle.
On November 24, 2008, Besagno was released by Real Salt Lake. Besagno started 2009 in camp with Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
, but was cut toward the end of January. Having been unable to secure a professional contract, Besagno signed with Tacoma Tide of 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 the 2009 season. Besagno is currently playing for PDL rival Kitsap Pumas
Kitsap Pumas
Kitsap Pumas is an American soccer team based in Bremerton, Washington, United States. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.Kitsap are the reigning PDL champions,...
.
International
Besagno, a graduate of the Bradenton AcademyIMG Soccer Academy
The IMG Soccer Academy is part of the IMG Academies located in Bradenton, Florida. It is U.S. Soccer's full-time residency program for the United States' U-17 and U-16 mens national teams. Started in 1999, it has become integral in developing the United States' top youth soccer prospects...
, was a regular for the Under-17 United States national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, and later moved up to the Under-20 squad. In 2005, he played two games for the USA U-17 team at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship was held in the cities of Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura and Iquitos in Peru between 16 September and 2 October 2005. Players born after 1 January 1988 could participate in this tournament...
.