Stephen Herdsman
Encyclopedia
Stephen Herdsman is an American soccer defender playing for the Michigan Bucks
of the USL Premier Development League
.
at Cornerstone University
until 2000, while also playing in the Premier Development League with the West Michigan Edge
.
Herdsman was drafted 17th overall in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
by the Colorado Rapids
. With his blazing speed, Herdsman earned a spot on the team as an outside back, starting 16 games for the Rapids as a rookie. He saw his playing time decline in 2002, however, starting only 9 games, although he started all five of the Rapids' playoff games. After playing in only three games in the 2003 season, however, Herdsman announced his retirement from professional soccer, reportedly due to personality conflicts with Rapids head coach Tim Hankinson
. Steve also retired from the MLS because of an injury to his leg. He also helps teach kids how to play soccer during summer camps. Steve is going to be coaching the U13 boys premier team for the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors, an affiliate of the Columbus Crew.
After finishing the season with the West Michigan Edge, Herdsman's rights were traded from the Rapids to the Columbus Crew
, and he switched teams. Although he began the season as a starting outside back for the Crew, Herdsman lost his spot to Nelson Akwari
and Chris Wingert
, and ended the season having appeared in only eight games. After playing in just seven games in 2005, he was released.
In 2009, Herdsman signed with the Michigan Bucks
of the USL Premier Development League
.
Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks is an American soccer team based in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
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...
.
Career
Herdsman played 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...
at Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University is an independent, non-denominational Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The university emphasises the trinitarian belief in the triune God and the literal interpretation of the Bible...
until 2000, while also playing in the Premier Development League with the West Michigan Edge
West Michigan Edge
West Michigan Edge was an American soccer team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, 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 played...
.
Herdsman was drafted 17th overall in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
2001 MLS SuperDraft
-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:-External links:*...
by 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...
. With his blazing speed, Herdsman earned a spot on the team as an outside back, starting 16 games for the Rapids as a rookie. He saw his playing time decline in 2002, however, starting only 9 games, although he started all five of the Rapids' playoff games. After playing in only three games in the 2003 season, however, Herdsman announced his retirement from professional soccer, reportedly due to personality conflicts with Rapids head coach Tim Hankinson
Tim Hankinson
Tim Hankinson is a well-traveled American soccer coach who is currently head coach of NASL side San Antonio Scorpions in San Antonio, Texas.- Player :...
. Steve also retired from the MLS because of an injury to his leg. He also helps teach kids how to play soccer during summer camps. Steve is going to be coaching the U13 boys premier team for the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors, an affiliate of the Columbus Crew.
After finishing the season with the West Michigan Edge, Herdsman's rights were traded from the Rapids to the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
, and he switched teams. Although he began the season as a starting outside back for the Crew, Herdsman lost his spot to Nelson Akwari
Nelson Akwari
Nelson Ndukwe Akwari is an American soccer player currently with Los Angeles Blues in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and College:...
and Chris Wingert
Chris Wingert
Chris Wingert is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-College:Wingert attended St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School and played college soccer for St...
, and ended the season having appeared in only eight games. After playing in just seven games in 2005, he was released.
In 2009, Herdsman signed with the Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks is an American soccer team based in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
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...
.