Ty Harden

Ty Harden
Personal information
Full nameRobert Tyrel Harden
Date of birthMarch 6, 1984
Place of birthJunction City, Oregon, United States
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
San Jose Earthquakes
Number2
Youth career
2003–2006Washington Huskies
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2007LA Galaxy24(0)
2009Colorado Rapids7(0)
2009Rochester Rhinos (loan)1(0)
2010–2012Toronto FC43(0)
2013–San Jose Earthquakes26(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of April 24, 2015.
† Appearances (Goals).

Robert Tyrel "Ty" Harden (born March 6, 1984) is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.

Career

College

Harden was a regular for four years at the University of Washington, playing every match his first two seasons before a minor injury in his junior year. He was named team captain as a junior and senior. Before that, he was Oregon's class 3A Player of the Year twice as a junior and senior. He is the only soccer player to get his jersey retired at his high school. He won four youth state championships with FC Portland Blue being coached by Jim Rilat and Jim Brazo, the club was run by the late Clive Charles.

Professional

Harden was selected by Los Angeles Galaxy in the second round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, 23rd overall. He made his MLS debut April 8, 2007, starting in central defense against the Houston Dynamo in a 0-0 tie.

In February 2008, Harden announced his retirement after only one season as a professional soccer player, deciding instead to work for a charitable organization and to finish college at the University of Washington[1]

Despite retiring in 2008, his rights were transferred to Colorado Rapids on January 13, 2009. In return the Galaxy received a third-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Following the draft, it was announced that Harden would be returning to MLS to play for the Rapids.[2]

Harden was traded on February 10, 2010 to Toronto FC for a third-round draft pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.[3] Shortly after the trade he was joined in Toronto by teammate Nick LaBrocca. Harden suffered a deep gash to his shin that required 22 stitches after a collision while scoring from a corner on April 28, 2010 against rivals Montreal Impact in the first game of the 2010 Canadian Championship.[4]

Harden was released by Toronto on November 15, 2012.[5] He chose to participate in the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft and was selected in stage two by San Jose Earthquakes.[6] He signed with the Earthquakes on January 25, 2013.[7]

Honours

Toronto FC

References

External links