Steven Beitashour

Steven Beitashour

Beitashour with the Earthquakes in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Mehrdad Beitashour (Iran)[1] Steven Beitashour (United States)[1]
Date of birth	(1987-02-01) February 1, 1987
Place of birth	San Jose, California, United States
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position	Right-back
Club information
Current club	Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Number	33[2]
Youth career
2005–2009	San Diego State Aztecs
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2007–2008	San Jose Frogs	9	(2)
2010–2013	San Jose Earthquakes	87	(2)
2014–	Vancouver Whitecaps FC	0	(0)
National team‡
2013–	Iran	3	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 27, 2013. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of November 19, 2013

Steven Beitashour (Persian Name:^[3] Mehrdad Beitashour, Persian: مهرداد بیت‌آشور‎; born February 1, 1987), commonly known as Stevie or Beita,^[4][5] is an Iranian footballer who plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Iranian national team as a defender.

Background

Steven Beitashour was born to Edward and Pari Beitashour in San Jose, California.^[6] His parents are both from Iran.^[7][8] He is of Christian Assyrian descent from his father's side and his mother is a Persian Muslim, enjoying support from both communities in the United States.^[8] He has Iranian-American dual citizenship.^[7][9]

In an Interview in 2011, he stated that he does Persian traditions as a result:^[8]

We do all the Persian traditions, as far as Persian New Year and [Islamic] fasting, which is actually going on right now [in Ramadan]. My dad is Christian and my mom is Muslim so they don't force me to do it, especially because of soccer. So I'm kind of halfway doing all of the traditions."

He would choose Persian cuisine over Mexican and his favorite is Lubia Polo.^[8]

Club career

College and amateur

Beitashour attended Leland High School, where his jersey was later retired.^[10] He went on to play four years of college soccer at San Diego State University, redshirting his freshman season.^[6] He majored in communication at San Diego State University, choosing it over several schools including San Jose State University and University of California, Santa Cruz.^[6] During his late college years, Beitashour also played for the San Jose Frogs in the USL Premier Development League.^[11][12]

Professional

San Jose Earthquakes

Beitashour was drafted in the second round (30th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the San Jose Earthquakes.^[13] He made his professional debut on April 10, 2010 against the Chicago Fire,^[14] and scored his first professional goal on April 24, 2010 against Chivas USA.^[15] Beitashour was selected for the 2012 MLS All-Star Game and played 90 minutes against Chelsea in the 3–2 win.^[16]

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC acquired Beitashour for an undisclosed amount on January 27, 2014.^[17][18]

Statistics

College career

Season	Team	League	League
			Apps	Goals	Assists
2005	San Diego State Aztecs	Pacific-12 Conference	Redshirt
2006			18	0	2
2007			18	0	3
2008			4	0	0
2009			17	0	3
Career Total[6]			57	0	8

Senior career

Season	Club	League	League			MLS Cup Playoffs			U.S. Open Cup
			Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists
2007[11]	San Jose Frogs	USL PDL	7	2	3	—
2008[12]			2	0	0	—
USL PDL Total			9	2	3	—
2010	San Jose Earthquakes	MLS	8	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
2011			19	0	7	—			2	0	0
2012			33	0	6	2	0	0	3	0	0
2013			26	1	3
MLS Total			86	2	16
Career Total			95	4	19

Statistics accurate as of match played October 27, 2013

International

Eligibility

Since Beitashour has Iranian Citizenship through Jus sanguinis principles, he is eligible to play for Iran.^[7] Beitashour was born in the United States, so he's also a Jus soli US Citizen and has the choice of either playing for Iran or the United States.^[9]

When asked about his choice in a 2012 interview, he stated:^[9]

"I think it's a great position to be in to have two options, to say the least... I just got to keep playing well here [for the San Jose Earthquakes]. I think that's the main thing, and good things will come from that."

Since Carlos Queiroz's takeover of the Iranian national team, he was always seeking Iranian diaspora players to reinforce the team and he eventually invited German-Iranian Ashkan Dejagah and Swedish-Iranian Omid Nazari to Team Melli.^[19] In June 2012, it was reported that Queiroz was interested in inviting Beitashour.^[7]

U.S. call-up

He was called up for an international friendly by the United States national football team against Mexico on August 15, 2012;^[20] however, he was an unused substitute.^[21]

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann later explained about his "surprise callup":^[22]

"Steven has built his case over the last couple of months and talking with Frank Yallop [Beitashour's coach at Earthquakes] and getting his information was the most important step... We are pleased to bring him in. He will be welcomed here and he’ll see it is a very positive and comfortable environment where he can settle in with no problems. We are curious to see him in the couple training sessions that we have. It’s not much because we have two and a half days to prepare for a game, but obviously I’d love to see him over a longer period of time. It will be curious to get his first impression."

Iran

On October 5, 2013, Beitashour was called up to the Iran national football team by Carlos Queiroz to be part of the preliminary 27-man squad for a 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification match against Thailand. However, it was initially unclear whether Beitashour would accept the invitation.^[23] Two days later, it was confirmed that Beitashour had accepted the call-up and would join the squad in time for the match on October 15.^[24] He made his debut in Iran's 2–1 win over Thailand, coming on as a sub for Hossein Mahini in the 76th minute.^[25] His first assist came to Gucci against Thailand in the away leg on November 15, helping to seal their place in the 2015 Asian Cup.

See also

• List of current MLS players
• Iranian Americans

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Steven Beitashour.

• MLS player profile
• Videos and Highlights of Steven Beitashour
• USMNT or Iran, A player with options – Power 5 Klinsmann's Radar at Youtube
• Inside: Steven Beitashour 4–15–12 at Youtube
• Steven Beitashour High School highlights at Youtube

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Persondata
Name	Beitashour, Steven
Alternative names
Short description	American soccer player
Date of birth	February 1, 1987
Place of birth	San Jose, California, United States
Date of death
Place of death