Craig Waibel

Craig Waibel

Personal information
Full name	Craig Waibel
Date of birth	August 21, 1975 (1975-08-21)
Place of birth	Portland, Oregon, United States
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Right Back
Youth career
1997–1998	Washington Huskies
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1997–1998	Spokane Shadow
1999–2000	Seattle Sounders	54	(4)
2000	Colorado Rapids	2	(0)
2001–2002	Los Angeles Galaxy	21	(0)
2003–2005	San Jose Earthquakes	53	(1)
2006–2010	Houston Dynamo	80	(6)
Teams managed
2011–	Michigan Wolverines (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of July 23, 2010. † Appearances (Goals).

Craig Waibel (born August 21, 1975 in Portland, Oregon) is a former American soccer player.

Career

College

Waibel played college soccer at University of Washington, and with Spokane Shadow in the USL Premier Development League prior to turning professional.

Professional

Upon graduating, Waibel was not selected in the 1999 MLS College Draft. He was, however, picked by the Seattle Sounders 17th in the 1999 A-League draft. He played solidly for the Sounders; enough so that he was called up briefly by the Colorado Rapids in the early part of the 2000 season. Waibel was selected by the Earthquakes 31st in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft but then waived a month later. The Los Angeles Galaxy signed him soon after as a discovery player. Waibel was part of the Galaxy's run to win the 2002 MLS Cup, making 12 appearances for the eventual champions.

The following year, Waibel was waived by the Galaxy only to be selected again by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2002 Waiver Draft. Good fortune followed Waibel, as he won his second straight MLS Cup in 2003, this time with the Quakes. For the 2004 season, Waibel stayed with the Earthquakes and played his best soccer to date, notching his first professional goal, also recording a goal in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2004. His 2005 season was cut short after an injury he picked up vs Santa Clara University in an exhibition game. Waibel was having a career year.

Along with the rest of his Earthquakes teammates, he moved to Houston for the 2006 season, in which he scored a career-high five goals. Waibel notched his first career two-goal game in the October 14 season finale against Colorado. Waibel has become a legendary player for the Houston Dynamo also starting the 'Waibel's Warriors' charity group to benefit local foundations. Craig Wabiel has the 2nd most MLS Cup Championship rings with 4, he only trails former team mates Jeff Agoos and Brian Mullan. Waibel and Mullan played together on the right flank of the field for 9 seasons dating back to the days with the Galaxy.

In July 2010 Waibel was released by the Dynamo.

Waibel just accepted a coaching offer from the University of Michigan as an assistant coach, and will start his tenure in Ann Arbor this Fall of 2011.

Honors

Los Angeles Galaxy

• Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (1): 2001
• Major League Soccer MLS Cup (1): 2002
• Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield (1): 2002
• Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (1): 2002

San Jose Earthquakes

• Major League Soccer MLS Cup (1): 2003
• Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (1): 2003

Houston Dynamo

• Major League Soccer MLS Cup (2): 2006, 2007
• Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (2): 2006, 2007

External links

• MLS player profile