Jordan Gafa

Jordan Gafa
Personal information
Full nameJordan C. Gafa
Date of birthJune 19, 1990
Place of birthSan Diego, California, United States
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
Jacksonville Armada
Youth career
Nomads, Arsenal FC (California)
2008–2012North Carolina Tar Heels
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2011Orange County Blue Star5(1)
2012Carolina Dynamo6(0)
2013–2014Tampa Bay Rowdies14(0)
2015–Jacksonville Armada0(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 June 2014.
† Appearances (Goals).

Jordan C. Gafa (born June 19, 1990) is an American soccer player who currently plays for Jacksonville Armada FC.

Career

College and Amateur

Gafa spent his entire collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. After redshirting his freshman year in 2008, Gafa made seven appearances for the Tar Heels in 2009 and tallied his first collegiate goal on October 28 in a 7-0 victory over Stetson University.[1] In 2010, Gafa made 19 appearances with three starts in the midfield and finished the year with a goal and an assist. In 2011, Gafa moved to right back and appeared in all 26 matches, starting in 24. He tallied two goals and two assists that year including a game-winning goal against rivals NC State in the ACC Quarterfinal.[2] He was part of a defense that allowed only 18 goals all season and 2011 and ranked 11th in the nation with a 0.66 Goals Against Average. The Tar Heels went on to win the National Championship, their second in school history, defeating UNC Charlotte 1-0.[3] In his final season with North Carolina, Gafa started in all 22 matches and finished the year with two goals and four assists. From 2008-2012, Gafa went on to four straight College Cups and just fell short of a fifth appearance after being eliminated in the Elite 8 versus Indiana in 2012.

During his collegiate career, Gafa also played in the USL Premier Development League for Orange County Blue Star and Carolina Dynamo.[4][5]

Professional

After going undrafted in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Gafa joined MLS side Columbus Crew on a preseason trial.[6] However, his trial turned out to be unsuccessful and he was released from camp two and a half weeks later.[7]

On March 27, 2013, Gafa signed his first professional contract, joining NASL club Tampa Bay Rowdies on a two-year deal.[8] He made his professional debut a month later on April 27, coming on as an early sub for Jay Needham who left the match in the 12th minute with an injury. The Rowdies went on to win the match 2-1.[9]

On March 19, 2015, Gafa signed with Jacksonville Armada.[10]

Honors

University of North Carolina

Carolina Dynamo

References

  1. ↑ "No. 3 Tar Heels Handle Hatters, 7-0". GoHeels.com. University of North Carolina. 28 October 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "Tar Heels Move On With 4-0 Win Over NC State". GoHeels.com. University of North Carolina. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Tar Heels Claim National Title". GoHeels.com. University of North Carolina. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  4. ↑ "2011 Orange County Blue Star stats". USLsoccer.com. United Soccer Leagues. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  5. ↑ "2012 Carolina Dynamo stats". USLsoccer.com. United Soccer Leagues. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "2013 Crew Preseason Roster". TheCrew.com. Crew Communications. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  7. ↑ Burns, Bryan (3 May 2013). "Gafa home with Rowdies, NASL". The Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "Rowdies Sign Midfielder Kyle Clinton and Defender Jordan Gafa". Tampa Bay Rowdies. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "Rowdies Edge Out Strikers in First Meeting of the Season". Tampa Bay Rowdies. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  10. ↑ http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/7prffxxp1i27108690b7iet94/jacksonville-armada-fc-inks-defender-jordan-gafa#.VQtXYvmsV8E

External links