D.J. Countess
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| DJ Countess | ||
| [[Image:]] | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Delvin Christopher Countess | |
| Date of birth | January 9, 1982 (age 25) | |
| Place of birth | Sacramento,California, USA | |
| Height | 6'1" (185cm) | |
| Nickname | DJ | |
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Provincial Osorno | |
| Number | 12 | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| 2000 | UCLA | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2001 2001-2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 |
New York Metrostars Dallas Burn Chicago Fire Real Salt Lake Östers IF Provincial Osorno |
[0] |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Delvin Christopher "D.J." Countess (born January 9, 1982, in Sacramento, California) is a soccer goalkeeper.
At the age of 24, D.J. Countess has established himself as a premier young goalkeeper in the United States. He has already enjoyed a very accomplished National Team career, starting a total of 72 games for the U-17'S, U-20'S and U-23'S. He was the starting goalkeeper for the US National Team that placed fourth in the world at the 1999 Under-17 World Championship in New Zealand, and for the US Team in the 2001 U-20 World Youth Championship in Argentina. In 2004, D.J. was the starting goalkeeper for the US U-23 Olympic Team that fell short of qualifying for the 2004 Summer Olympics.
D.J.'s success continued when he selected to stay in his home state of California and attend UCLA. He continued to improve his game as he took the jump to the next level. D.J. had an outstanding season as a freshman, posting a 1.02 goals-against average, good for a second in the Pac 10.
Upon completing his freshman year, D.J. joined Major League Soccer's Project-40 program. In August of that year, the MetroStars selected D.J. in a weighted lottery. During his rookie year he served as the primary backup to starter Tim Howard, the current goalie for Everton F.C. of the English Premier League. Countess was traded to the Dallas Burn prior to the start of the 2002 season. Shortly after an impressive debut match, D.J. suffered a shoulder injury and was forced to miss the remainder of the season. He bounced back in 2003, starting in 24 league matches and was named the Burn's Defender of the Year after tallying 115 saves. D.J. also tied an MLS record that year by facing a total of 10 penalty kicks and set the league record by saving four, including 2 in a single game for another league record. Following his 2003 performance D.J. was traded to the Chicago Fire, where he spent the 2004 season as the primary backup to starter Henry Ring. Ring had a stellar all-star season which allowed Countess to make only two first team appearances. Real Salt Lake, coached by Countess' youch coach, John Ellinger, took D.J. as a second draft pick in the 2004 MLS Expansion Draft. Countess started in 27 matches for the expansion team but his option was not picked up following the season.
Though several MLS clubs expressed interest in acquiring him in early 2006, including the New York Red Bulls and the Columbus Crew, Countess opted not to return to MLS and to instead pursue a professional soccer career in Europe. In mid 2006 D.J. completed trial with French clubs Auxerre and FC Metz, and Swedish club Östers IF. All three teams expressed interest but it was ultimately Östers IF in Sweden's top division that signed Countess to a contract until the end of the 2006 season. As of mid-October 2006, Countess had started in 3 matches. Since his contract only lasted until the end of the season, Countess is likely to leave Osters for Chilean club Antofagasta, with whom he is auditioning in February of 2007.
Also of note, D.J. has been involved in humanitarian work throughout his career. While playing for Real Salt Lake he established the DreamKeeper Foundation, a successful non-profit organization dedicated to providing funding to Utah children in need of medical care.
[edit] External links
- DJ Countess Official Website[1]
- DJ Countess Highlight Video[2]
