Rod Underwood
Encyclopedia
Rod Underwood is an American
former soccer player and head coach. Underwood was the coach of Cleveland City Stars
of the USL First Division
. He also spent a year as a head coach of North East Stars
in the TT Pro League. Currently Rod is on coaching staff with the Portland Timbers in the MLS.
in 1985. He became the first African American
to play soccer at Furman University. While at Furman, Rod was the leading goal scorer as a freshman, a three-time all-conference selection, and the conference tournament MVP as a senior. In his final year at Furman Underwood earned his Bachelor's Degree in 1989. As a player Underwood spent time with New Mexico Chiles
, Albuquerque Geckos, and New Orleans Gamblers.
in 1999. Where he led South Carolina to finish 5th in the Atlantic Division, and clinch a playoff spot. In the postseason he led them to the first round before being eliminated. Once the season concluded the franchise folded after the 1999 season. Following his stint with South Carolina Underwood was appointed the assistant coach for Georgia State University
. On April 19, 2007 the Portland Timber's
head coach Gavin Wilkinson
appointed Underwood as his assistant coach. During the 2007 USL season
he helped the Timbers finish second place in the standings, and help the club reach the semifinals in the playoffs before losing to Atlanta Silverbacks
. On February 5, 2009 the Cleveland City Stars
announced the hiring of Underwood to serve as the new head coach for the 2009 USL season
. He became the second head coach in club history, after succeeding Martin Rennie
. In preparation for the 2009 season Underwood resolved to bring new players to the squad, notably players from Africa and MLS
experienced players. Underwood was named head coach of North East Stars
in the TT Pro League on April 16, 2010. In August 2010 he joined the coaching team for the MLS side the Portland TImbers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former soccer player and head coach. Underwood was the coach of 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...
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....
. He also spent a year as a head coach of North East Stars
North East Stars
The North East Stars are a professional football team, which currently plays in Trinidad and Tobago's Pro League. The team currently plays in Sangre Grande Regional Complex, in Sangre Grande, Trinidad.-History:...
in the TT Pro League. Currently Rod is on coaching staff with the Portland Timbers in the MLS.
Playing career
Underwood began playing soccer at the college level with Furman UniversityFurman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
in 1985. He became the first African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
to play soccer at Furman University. While at Furman, Rod was the leading goal scorer as a freshman, a three-time all-conference selection, and the conference tournament MVP as a senior. In his final year at Furman Underwood earned his Bachelor's Degree in 1989. As a player Underwood spent time with New Mexico Chiles
New Mexico Chiles
The New Mexico Chiles were an American soccer club established in 1990 which competed in the American Professional Soccer League. In 1991, the team merged with the New Mexico Roadrunners and moved to the USISL until its disestablishment in 1996....
, Albuquerque Geckos, and New Orleans Gamblers.
Management career
Underwood first began his coaching career as player-coach at New Mexico Chiles in 1994. Once he moved to Albuquerque in 1997, he led the Geckos to the USISL D-3 Pro League Championship before coaching the club through its promotion to the A-League a season later. The following season Underwood was appointed the head coach of the South Carolina ShamrocksSouth Carolina Shamrocks
The South Carolina Shamrocks were an American soccer team that played in Spartanburg, South Carolina.-Year-by-year:...
in 1999. Where he led South Carolina to finish 5th in the Atlantic Division, and clinch a playoff spot. In the postseason he led them to the first round before being eliminated. Once the season concluded the franchise folded after the 1999 season. Following his stint with South Carolina Underwood was appointed the assistant coach for Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
. On April 19, 2007 the Portland Timber's
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...
head coach Gavin Wilkinson
Gavin Wilkinson
Gavin Wilkinson is a former New Zealand footballer and current technical director of Portland Timbers. Prior to this position, Wilkinson was manager of Portland Timbers in the United Soccer Leagues before their promotion to Major League Soccer beginning with the 2011 season...
appointed Underwood as his assistant coach. During the 2007 USL season
United Soccer Leagues 2007
The 2007 Season is the 21st edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 13 when the 2006 league runners-up Rochester Raging Rhinos traveled to the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders.-General:* Two new teams join the...
he helped the Timbers finish second place in the standings, and help the club reach the semifinals in the playoffs before losing to Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...
. On February 5, 2009 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...
announced the hiring of Underwood to serve as the new head coach for the 2009 USL season
United Soccer Leagues 2009
The 2009 season is the 23rd season played by the United Soccer Leagues. Season titles will be contested by 20 professional men's clubs in the USL First Division and USL Second Division, as well as 37 professional and amateur women's clubs in the W-League and 68 professional and amateur men's teams...
. He became the second head coach in club history, after succeeding Martin Rennie
Martin Rennie
Martin Rennie is a Scottish soccer coach and is currently the head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer. He was signed to a multi-year contract by Vancouver on 9 August 2011.-Coaching career:...
. In preparation for the 2009 season Underwood resolved to bring new players to the squad, notably players from Africa and MLS
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...
experienced players. Underwood was named head coach of North East Stars
North East Stars
The North East Stars are a professional football team, which currently plays in Trinidad and Tobago's Pro League. The team currently plays in Sangre Grande Regional Complex, in Sangre Grande, Trinidad.-History:...
in the TT Pro League on April 16, 2010. In August 2010 he joined the coaching team for the MLS side the Portland TImbers.