Robert Tyrel "Ty" Harden (born March 6, 1984) is an American soccer player who last played for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Tyrel Harden | ||
| Date of birth | March 6, 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Junction City, Oregon, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003–2006 | Washington Huskies | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2007 | LA Galaxy | 24 | (0) |
| 2009 | Colorado Rapids | 7 | (0) |
| 2009 | → Rochester Rhinos (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2010–2012 | Toronto FC | 43 | (0) |
| 2013–2015 | San Jose Earthquakes | 26 | (1) |
| 2015 | Chicago Fire | 3 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 30, 2015 | |||
Career
editCollegiate
editHarden was a regular for four years at the University of Washington, playing every match of his first two seasons before a minor injury in his junior year. He was named team captain as a junior and senior. Before that, he was Oregon's class 3A Player of the Year twice as a junior and senior. He is the only soccer player to have his jersey retired at his high school. He won four youth state championships with FC Portland Blue being coached by Jim Rilat and Jim Brazo, the club was run by the late Clive Charles.
Professional
editHarden was selected by Los Angeles Galaxy in the second round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, 23rd overall. He made his MLS debut on April 8, 2007, starting in central defense against the Houston Dynamo in a 0–0 tie.
In February 2008, Harden announced his retirement after only one season as a professional soccer player, deciding instead to work for a charitable organization and to finish college at the University of Washington[1]
Despite retiring in 2008, his rights were transferred to Colorado Rapids on January 13, 2009. In return the Galaxy received a third-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Following the draft, it was announced that Harden would be returning to MLS to play for the Rapids.[2]
Harden was traded on February 10, 2010, to Toronto FC for a third-round draft pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.[3] Shortly after the trade he was joined in Toronto by teammate Nick LaBrocca. Harden suffered a deep gash to his shin that required 22 stitches after a collision while scoring from a corner on April 28, 2010, against rivals Montreal Impact in the first game of the 2010 Canadian Championship.[4]
Harden was released by Toronto on November 15, 2012.[5] He chose to participate in the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft and was selected in stage two by San Jose Earthquakes.[6] He signed with the Earthquakes on January 25, 2013.[7] On June 26, 2015, Harden was traded to Chicago Fire in exchange for Quincy Amarikwa.[8] On November 30, 2015, Chicago Fire declined his contract option.[9]
Honors
editToronto FC
edit- Canadian Championship (3): 2010, 2011, 2012
References
edit- ^ "Harden leaving Galaxy - LA Daily News". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2008.
- ^ "Major League Soccer - ESPN Soccernet". Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
- ^ "Toronto FC Inks Defender Ty Harden". February 10, 2010.
- ^ "Toronto still reeling from midweek bruiser | Major League Soccer". Archived from the original on May 3, 2010.
- ^ "Option Declined On Six Players | Toronto FC". Archived from the original on November 18, 2012.
- ^ "Califf, Casey among 14 picked in Stage 2 Re-Entry Draft | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on December 16, 2012.
- ^ "Quakes sign Dan Gargan and Ty Harden | San Jose Earthquakes". Archived from the original on January 29, 2013.
- ^ "Chicago Fire Acquire Defender Ty Harden | Chicago Fire". www.chicago-fire.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015.
- ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Exercises Options on Four Players". chicago-fire.com. November 30, 2015.