Khari Stephenson
 Stephenson with the Earthquakes in August 2010 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Khari Lasana Stewart Stephenson | ||
| Date of birth | 18 January 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Kingston, Jamaica | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1992–2000 | Real Mona | ||
| 2000–2003 | Williams Ephs | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2004–2005 | Kansas City Wizards | 9 | (0) |
| 2006 | GAIS | 25 | (3) |
| 2007–2008 | AIK | 25 | (2) |
| 2008–2010 | Aalesunds FK | 39 | (4) |
| 2010–2012 | San Jose Earthquakes | 69 | (8) |
| 2013 | Real Salt Lake | 19 | (1) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2004– | Jamaica | 32 | (3) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of December 20, 2013. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Khari Stephenson (/ˈkæri/; born 18 January 1981 in Kingston) is a Jamaican footballer who is currently a free agent.
Career
Amateur and college
A product of the Real Mona youth system, Stephenson played college soccer at Williams College from 2000 to 2003, where he was named a Division III first-team All-American his junior and senior seasons. In his senior year, Stephenson scored 15 goals for the team, and finished his career there with 40 goals and 18 assists. Before playing at Williams, he was a star of his prep school soccer team at Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut.
Professional
Upon graduating, Stephenson was drafted 27th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire. He did not make the Fire team, however, and was traded to Kansas City Wizards for a third-round 2005 MLS SuperDraft pick.[1] Stephenson played very little for the Wizards in his rookie season, finishing the year with no points, having played only 44 minutes over three games. Amazingly, he became a starter in the playoffs, playing in every game and even scoring a goal on the Wizards' run to the final.[2]
In 2006, Stephenson made his move to Scandinavia, starting in Sweden with GAIS, where he had an outstanding season as a midfielder. He then made a move to AIK in 2007, where he had an inconsistent season for a team that finished in the top half of the league. In August 2008, Khari then moved to Aalesunds FK in Norway, where he was joined by Jamaican international teammate Demar Phillips in the midfield. After not receiving significant playing time in early 2009, he gained a vital midfield role as the season progressed, eventually leading the team to the Norwegian Cup in 2009 and qualification for the 2010/11 Europa Cup.
Stephenson returned to the United States on loan from Aalesunds FK and signed with the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer on 9 August 2010 until the remainder of the MLS season. Stephenson returned to Norway and then signed a permanent deal on 14 February 2011 with San Jose Earthquakes.[3]
Stephenson remained with San Jose through the 2012 season before being released following the 2012 season.[4] He subsequently entered the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft and became a free agent after going undrafted in both rounds of the draft.
On February 22, 2013, he was signed by Real Salt Lake. He played one season in Utah; however, he was not retained following the season.[5]
International
He appeared for the Jamaican U-20's in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina and made his debut for the 'Reggae Boyz' in 2004 against Guatemala. He has earned 32 caps (3 goals).
References
- ↑ http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3019688
- ↑ "Major League Soccer: All-Time MLS Player Register, S". MLS. Retrieved 4 April 2009.
- ↑ http://www.mercurynews.com/earthquakes/ci_17384398?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com&nclick_check=1
- ↑ http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2012/11/quakes-decline-options-five-players
- ↑ http://www.ksl.com/?sid=27968181
External links
- MLS player profile
- Khari Stephenson at National-Football-Teams.com
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