Jay Needham: Difference between revisions
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'''Jay Charles Needham''' (born September 30, 1984) is an American [[soccer]] player from [[Fort Worth, Texas]]. Although he played as a [[central defender]] in his college and early professional career, he is currently playing as a defensive (holding) mid-fielder. He also plays outside defender and sweeper. |
'''Jay Charles Needham''' (born September 30, 1984) is an American [[soccer]] player from [[Fort Worth, Texas]]. Although he played as a [[central defender]] in his college and early professional career, he is currently playing as a defensive (holding) mid-fielder. He also plays outside defender and sweeper. |
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==Youth career== |
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As a youth, he played club soccer for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club. His team, the '85 Texans Red, won four consecutive North Texas State Cups, three Regional Cups and appeared in two U.S. Youth Cup Final Fours. The '85 Dallas Texans also won the Under 19 division of the prestigious [[Dallas Cup]] in 2003. Other professionals playing on this Texans team were [[Hunter Freeman]] and [[Ramon Nunez]]. |
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After graduating from [[Arlington Heights High School]], Needham attended [[Southern Methodist University]] (SMU). While at SMU, he and the team earned numerous honors. SMU was the 2003 [[Missouri Valley Conference]] tournament champion and were the Missouri Valley season and tournament champions in 2004. In 2005, SMU moved to [[Conference USA]]. In their first season, SMU won the season champion honors. In 2006, SMU won both the season and tournament honors for Conference USA. SMU participated in the NCAA Tournament in all four seasons that Needham played. In 2005, they made the NCAA College Cup, losing in the semi-finals to the ultimate winners [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]]. |
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Jay Needham was a four year letterman at SMU. He was one of the team's tri-captains in 2005 and 2006. He was a member of the Missouri Valley Conference All Freshman Team in 2003. He was selected first team All Conference USA as a defender in 2005 and 2006. He was also elected First Team All Midwest Region in those same years. Conference USA named him Defender of the Year in 2006. Jay was named a First Team All American and was one of three finalist for the MAC [[Hermann Award]] (honoring college soccer's player of the year) in 2006. |
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During his college years, Needham also played with the [[DFW Tornados]] in the [[USL Premier Development League]]. |
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== Professional career == |
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'''Puerto Rico Islanders''' |
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Jay Needham was drafted by [[D.C. United]] in the third round of the 2007 MLS draft. After attending training camp, he and D.C. United were Unable to come to contract terms. Jay signed with the [[Puerto Rico Islanders]] in the [[USL First Division]]. On arrival, he was asked to change positions from center to outside fullback. While with the Islanders, Jay played both right and left fullback, logging over 2,000 minutes of play. The Islanders advanced to the USL semi-finals where they were defeated by the ultimate champions, [[Seattle Sounders (USL) | Seattle]]. They also advanced to the semi-finals of the 2007 Caribbean Cup. |
Jay Needham was drafted by [[D.C. United]] in the third round of the 2007 MLS draft. After attending training camp, he and D.C. United were Unable to come to contract terms. Jay signed with the [[Puerto Rico Islanders]] in the [[USL First Division]]. On arrival, he was asked to change positions from center to outside fullback. While with the Islanders, Jay played both right and left fullback, logging over 2,000 minutes of play. The Islanders advanced to the USL semi-finals where they were defeated by the ultimate champions, [[Seattle Sounders (USL) | Seattle]]. They also advanced to the semi-finals of the 2007 Caribbean Cup. |
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At the end of the season, Jay Needham was named the 2007 USL Division 1 Rookie of the Year. |
At the end of the season, Jay Needham was named the 2007 USL Division 1 Rookie of the Year. |
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'''Alta IF''' |
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In March 2008, Jay transferred to [[Alta IF]] in [[Alta, Norway]]. Alta had just won promotion to play in Ireland's [[Adeccoligaen | 1st Division]]. He made his debut on April 13 and retained a starting central defender position throughout the remainder of the season. During the 2008 season, Needham appeared in 24 league games, logging more than 2,000 minutes of play. He also appeared in two Norwegian Cup matches. Jay was named the team's Captain for their final four games. |
In March 2008, Jay transferred to [[Alta IF]] in [[Alta, Norway]]. Alta had just won promotion to play in Ireland's [[Adeccoligaen | 1st Division]]. He made his debut on April 13 and retained a starting central defender position throughout the remainder of the season. During the 2008 season, Needham appeared in 24 league games, logging more than 2,000 minutes of play. He also appeared in two Norwegian Cup matches. Jay was named the team's Captain for their final four games. |
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Revision as of 02:09, 7 November 2009
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jay Charles Needham | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Position(s) | defensive midfielder | ||
Jay Charles Needham (born September 30, 1984) is an American soccer player from Fort Worth, Texas. Although he played as a central defender in his college and early professional career, he is currently playing as a defensive (holding) mid-fielder. He also plays outside defender and sweeper.
Jay Needham was drafted by D.C. United in the third round of the 2007 MLS draft. After attending training camp, he and D.C. United were Unable to come to contract terms. Jay signed with the Puerto Rico Islanders in the USL First Division. On arrival, he was asked to change positions from center to outside fullback. While with the Islanders, Jay played both right and left fullback, logging over 2,000 minutes of play. The Islanders advanced to the USL semi-finals where they were defeated by the ultimate champions, Seattle. They also advanced to the semi-finals of the 2007 Caribbean Cup.
At the end of the season, Jay Needham was named the 2007 USL Division 1 Rookie of the Year.
In March 2008, Jay transferred to Alta IF in Alta, Norway. Alta had just won promotion to play in Ireland's 1st Division. He made his debut on April 13 and retained a starting central defender position throughout the remainder of the season. During the 2008 season, Needham appeared in 24 league games, logging more than 2,000 minutes of play. He also appeared in two Norwegian Cup matches. Jay was named the team's Captain for their final four games.
At the end of the season, Alta retained its position in the 1stDivision. This was the first time in the club's history that it had not been relegated the season after being promoted into the 1stDivision.
2009 was Alta's most successful season in the 1stDivision. The team ended the season with 42 points (a club record). Their 6th place finish out of 16 teams was the highest finish ever achieved by the club. During their run into the fourth round of the Norwegian Cup, Alta defeated Tippeligaen team, Bodo Glimt, 3-0.
Jay Needham played in 26 leagues games and two Cup matches. For the third consecutive season, he logged more that 2,000 miuntes in league play. During the season, he played right fullback, center fullback, and defensive (holding) mid-field. After being moved the mid-field, he played 19 games as Alta's holding mid-fielder. He also played defensive mid-field in two Cup mathces. Needham served as the team's Captain from May 21 through the end of the season.
In August, he was selected one of the Adeccoligaen's top foreign players by football magazine Norway. In September, the New York Times Soccer Blog named Needham one of the top 11 American uncapped players in Europe.
Jay Needham is currently out of contract and exploring playing options for next season.