Quavas Kirk
Encyclopedia
Quavas Kirk is an American
soccer player who currently plays for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.
; he joined the U.S. U-17 Residency Program at the IMG Soccer Academy
in Bradenton, Florida
, before signing a Generation adidas
contract in 2005.
by Los Angeles Galaxy
. He made his MLS debut in 2006, and scored his first professional goal on August 1, 2006 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
in a 2-0 fourth-round win over Dallas Roma
.
Until the arrival of David Beckham
, Kirk wore the number 23 shirt for the Galaxy. However, despite publicly announcing his desire to retain the jersey, he was handed the number 15 to accommodate Beckham, who prefers to wear number 7 or 23. (Beckham had chosen the number 23 because 7 was already taken when he was transferred to Real Madrid by Raul, and also because he admires Michael Jordan
).
On February 15, 2008, Kirk was traded to D.C. United
in exchange for the rights to Greg Vanney
He scored his first career league goal on August 23, 2008 in a 3-0 DC win over the Colorado Rapids
.
In January 2009, Kirk was waived by D.C. United. After a brief trial with Seattle Sounders FC
, Kirk signed with Minnesota Thunder
on 17 February 2009. He made 15 league appearances for the Thunder in 2009, before being released from his contract as a result of Thunder's financial problems following the conclusion of the 2009 USL First Division
season. He was signed by the Portland Timbers
on December 7, 2009.
Kirk trialled with the Portland Timbers
, looking to secure a place on their roster prior to their first season in Major League Soccer
in 2011, but suffered a hamstring injury in a pre-season game against Ventura County Fusion
, and was not offered a contract by the team. Kirk subsequently signed with Rochester Rhinos of the USL Pro
league on March 25, 2011.
but picked up a pre-tournament injury and was excluded from the roster.
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 Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.
Youth
Kirk did not play college soccerCollege 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...
; he joined the U.S. U-17 Residency Program at the IMG Soccer Academy
IMG 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...
in Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
, before signing 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 in 2005.
Professional
Kirk was drafted in the 3rd round (34th overall) 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...
by Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, 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, and the league's second...
. He made his MLS debut in 2006, and scored his first professional goal on August 1, 2006 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
in a 2-0 fourth-round win over Dallas Roma
Dallas Roma F.C.
Dallas Roma F.C. is an American amateur soccer club based in Dallas, Texas, established in 2004. Roma currently plays in the North Texas Premier Soccer Association.- 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S...
.
Until the arrival of David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
, Kirk wore the number 23 shirt for the Galaxy. However, despite publicly announcing his desire to retain the jersey, he was handed the number 15 to accommodate Beckham, who prefers to wear number 7 or 23. (Beckham had chosen the number 23 because 7 was already taken when he was transferred to Real Madrid by Raul, and also because he admires Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
).
On February 15, 2008, Kirk was 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...
in exchange for the rights to Greg Vanney
Greg Vanney
Greg Vanney is retired American soccer defender who last played for the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS...
He scored his first career league goal on August 23, 2008 in a 3-0 DC win over the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado 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...
.
In January 2009, Kirk was waived by D.C. United. After a brief trial 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...
, Kirk signed with 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 17 February 2009. He made 15 league appearances for the Thunder in 2009, before being released from his contract as a result of Thunder's financial problems following the conclusion of the 2009 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....
season. He was signed by the 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...
on December 7, 2009.
Kirk trialled with the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
, looking to secure a place on their roster prior to their first season in Major League Soccer
Major 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...
in 2011, but suffered a hamstring injury in a pre-season game against Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion is an American soccer team based in Ventura, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in...
, and was not offered a contract by the team. Kirk subsequently signed with Rochester Rhinos of the USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
league on March 25, 2011.
International
Kirk had been a standout in the United States' under-17 national team, scoring 22 goals in 53 games. He played in the 2005 U-17 World Championship, and was expected to play a key role for the U-20 national team in the 2007 FIFA 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...
but picked up a pre-tournament injury and was excluded from the roster.