Sean Franklin

Sean Franklin

Franklin (in blue) playing for LA Galaxy in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Sean Michael Franklin
Date of birth	(1985-03-21) March 21, 1985
Place of birth	Panorama City, California, United States
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	D.C. United
Youth career
2004–2007	Cal State Northridge Matadors
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2006–2007	San Fernando Valley Quakes	31	(4)
2008–2013	Los Angeles Galaxy	160	(5)
2014–	D.C. United	0	(0)
National team‡
2005	United States U20	2	(0)
2007	United States U23	1	(0)
2011–	United States	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 7, 2013. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of November 2, 2012

Sean Michael Franklin (born March 21, 1985 in Panorama City, California) is an American soccer player who currently plays as a defender for D.C. United of Major League Soccer.

Career

Youth and amateur

Franklin was a three-time letterwinner at Highland High School in Palmdale, California. He was named the Golden League’s Most Valuable Player as a senior, and also earned all-area first-team honors in 2003 after helping the Bulldogs to a Golden League crown in 2003.

At Cal State Northridge, he was an invaluable member of the Matadors’ defense, starting over 50 games since 2004, being named to the All-Big West Conference team in both 2005 and 2006. During his college years Franklin spent two years with the San Fernando Valley Quakes of the USL Premier Development League, helping them reach the playoffs for the first time in 2007, although his campaign was cut short when he broke his arm in the playoff semi-final against BYU Cougars.

Professional

Franklin was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy, and made his MLS debut in Galaxy's home opener against San Jose Earthquakes on April 3, 2008.

In late April, Greg Daurio reported coach Gullit saying Franklin had been their best player, saying "I think again he played an excellent game. If you see how he goes into midfield, gives long balls to David (Beckham) all the time, I think he's made huge progress. That makes me happy."^[1] On May 16, Los Angeles Galaxy Media Relations' Mark Rogondino said he's growing into an MLS caliber defender, describing his play, "Franklin is adjusting to the combination of physical play and skill, but what I think is even more important is that he is starting to anticipate and read the game a bit more in the past weeks. Every so often, he will surprise you with a flashing run forward too."^[2]

Franklin was awarded MLS Rookie of the Year for the 2008 season. He beat fellow finalists Geoff Cameron and Kheli Dube to the award.

Franklin missed the majority of the 2009 MLS season after undergoing surgery to repair a hamstring tear he suffered during a game against Columbus Crew on May 17, 2009.^[3]

He signed a new contract with Los Angeles on December 23, 2011.^[4]

Franklin was selected by D.C. United in the MLS Re-Entry Draft - Stage One on December 12, 2013.^[5]

International

Franklin was called up to the U.S. under-20 men’s national team during the spring of 2004, and played 90 minutes for the U-23 team in a 0–0 draw with Japan in Japan in 2007.

He was called up to the senior men's squad twice in 2008 and 2009. He was unused in the World Cup qualifier against Guatemala on November 18, 2008, and withdrew from the camp which faced Sweden on January 24, 2009 with a hernia injury.

He made his senior debut on January 22, 2011 in a friendly match against Chile.

Honors

Los Angeles Galaxy

• MLS Cup: 2011, 2012
• Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield; 2010, 2011

Individual

• MLS Rookie of the Year: 2008

See also

• List of current MLS players

References

External links

• MLS player profile
• CSUN Bio
• Sean Franklin at National-Football-Teams.com