Michael Burke (soccer)

Michael Burke
Personal information
Full name Michael Burke
Date of birth February 25, 1977 (1977-02-25) (age 35)
Place of birth Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Richmond Kickers
Number 19
Youth career
1996–1997 Loyola Greyhounds
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998 Jacksonville Cyclones 24 (14)
1998–1999 Charleston Battery 33 (8)
2000 D.C. United 7 (0)
2000 Dallas Burn 2 (0)
2000– Richmond Kickers 254 (36)
Teams managed
2011– Richmond Kickers (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of September 20, 2010.
† Appearances (Goals).

Michael Burke (born February 25, 1977 in Jacksonville, Florida) American soccer player who retired last year. Richmond Kickers in the third divisionUSL Pro league.

Contents

Career

College and Amateur

Burke attended Loyola University Maryland, playing two seasons of college soccer. In 1997, he left college early to pursue a professional career, spending time training with Deportivo Cali in Colombia and Nottingham Forest in England.

Professional

Burke began his professional career in 1998 when he signed with the Jacksonville Cyclones of the A-league. Late in the season, Michael Burke asked to be released to pursue other teams. After Burke sat out for a week of training, the club agreed to trade him to the Charleston Battery and Burke was named the 1998 USL A-League Rookie of the Year.

Burke was drafted in the fourth round (41st overall) in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United.[1] He played seven games for United before being released on June 2, 2000. He then signed with the Dallas Burn on June 15, and played two games in Dallas before being released on June 30.

Burke signed with the Richmond Kickers the next day and has remained with that team since then, playing over 200 games and scoring over 25 goals during his tenure. Burke earned Supporter’s Choice MVP honors in 2005,2006,2007,2008, and 2009. He garnered the MVP award of the USL2 Championship game in 2006, was the USL2 Most Valuable Player and was named Kickers' captain in 2007, was a USL-2 MVP Finalist in 2006, 2007, and 2008 and All-League First Team midfielder in 2006-09, and led the Kickers to his second USL2 championship in 2009.[2]

Burke signed a contract on January 12, 2011 to serve as both player and assistant coach for Richmond, now playing in the third division USL Pro league.[3]

Honors

References

External links