Craig Waibel

Craig Waibel (born August 21, 1975 in Portland, Oregon) is a former American soccer player who spent eleven seasons in Major League Soccer.

Craig Waibel
Craig Waibel, 2006 MLS Cup
Personal information
Full name Craig Waibel
Date of birth (1975-08-21) August 21, 1975
Place of birth Portland, Oregon, United States
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Right Back
Youth career
1995–1998 Washington Huskies
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1998 Spokane Shadow
1999–2000 Seattle Sounders 54 (4)
2000 → Colorado Rapids (loan) 2 (0)
2001–2002 Los Angeles Galaxy 21 (0)
2001 → Seattle Sounders (loan) 1 (0)
2002 → Seattle Sounders (loan) 5 (0)
2003–2005 San Jose Earthquakes 53 (1)
2006–2010 Houston Dynamo 80 (6)
Teams managed
2011 Michigan Wolverines (assistant)
2012–2013 Washington Huskies (assistant)
2014 Real Salt Lake (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

College

Waibel graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. He played college soccer at University of Washington. In 1996, Waibel was injured playing for the Spokane Shadow in the USISL Premier League. This forced him to miss his junior season. Despite that setback, Waibel continued to play for the Shadow in 1997 and 1998.

Professional

Upon graduating, Waibel was not selected in the 1999 MLS College Draft. He was, however, picked by the Seattle Sounders 17th in the 1999 A-League draft. He played well enough for the Sounders to earn a brief call up to the Colorado Rapids in the early part of the 2000 season. Waibel was selected by the Earthquakes 31st in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft but then waived a month later. The Los Angeles Galaxy signed him soon after as a discovery player. Waibel was part of the Galaxy's run to win the 2002 MLS Cup, making 12 appearances for the eventual champions. In addition to playing for the Galaxy, Waibel went on loan to the Sounders in both 2001 and 2002.[1]

The following year, Waibel was waived by the Galaxy only to be selected again by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2002 Waiver Draft. Good fortune followed Waibel, as he won his second straight MLS Cup in 2003, this time with the Quakes. For the 2004 season, Waibel stayed with the Earthquakes and played his best soccer to date, notching his first professional goal, also recording a goal in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2004. His 2005 season was cut short after an injury he picked up vs Santa Clara University in an exhibition game. Waibel was having a career year.

Along with the rest of his Earthquakes teammates, he moved to Houston for the 2006 season, in which he scored a career-high five goals. Waibel notched his first career two-goal game in the October 14 season finale against Colorado. Waibel has become a legendary player for the Houston Dynamo also starting the 'Waibel's Warriors' charity group to benefit local foundations. Craig Wabiel is currently tied for 5th all-time for the most MLS Cup Championships won with 4.

In July 2010, Waibel was released by the Dynamo.

Coaching and Administration Career

Waibel served as an assistant coach for the University of Michigan in 2011. He was then announced as an assistant coach for the Washington Huskies men's soccer program for the 2012 season.[2] After serving as an assistant coach for Real Salt Lake during the 2014 season he was promoted to technical director for the 2015 season.[3] In August 2015 he was promoted to the position of General Manager for Real Salt Lake.[4] In September 2019, Real Salt Lake and Waibel parted ways.[5]

Honors

Los Angeles Galaxy

San Jose Earthquakes

Houston Dynamo

References
  1. Stickney, Ron. "Seattle – El Paso, 2001 Aug 1". seattlepitch.tripod.com.
  2. "Soccer Alum Waibel Joins Coaching Staff". University of Washington. August 8, 2012. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013.
  3. "Garth Lagerwey to leave RSL, Waibel promoted to Technical Director".
  4. "The Salt Lake Tribune".
  5. "Real Salt Lake part ways with GM Craig Waibel". SBI Soccer. 2019-09-28. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
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