Ryan Nelsen

Ryan William Nelsen ONZM (born 18 October 1977) is a former New Zealand professional football player and former head coach of Major League Soccer side Toronto FC.

"Ryan Nelson" redirects here. For the American judge, see Ryan D. Nelson.

Ryan Nelsen
Nelsen as head coach of Toronto FC in 2013
Personal information
Full name Ryan William Nelsen[1]
Date of birth (1977-10-18) 18 October 1977[1]
Place of birth Christchurch, New Zealand
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1998 Greensboro College
1999–2000 Stanford Cardinal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1998 Christchurch United 96 (12)
2001–2005 D.C. United 81 (7)
2005–2012 Blackburn Rovers 172 (8)
2012 Tottenham Hotspur 5 (0)
2012–2013 Queens Park Rangers 21 (1)
Total 375 (28)
National team
2008–2012 New Zealand Olympic 8 (0)
1999–2012 New Zealand 49 (7)
Teams managed
2013–2014 Toronto FC
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Nelsen commonly played as a defender, and his professional career began in 1995. He notably captained the New Zealand national team and started his professional football career in his native country for Christchurch United. In 2001, he joined MLS side D.C. United and went on to play 81 times in the league, scoring 7 goals. In 2005, he moved to England with Premier League side Blackburn Rovers where he scored 8 times in 172 appearances. In 2012, he made a move to Tottenham Hotspur but only managed 5 appearances (scoring once in an FA Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers, the re-arranged match following Fabrice Muamba's cardiac arrest) before joining Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2012. He agreed to return to MLS on 8 January 2013 by signing with Toronto FC as head coach.[3] He was fired from Toronto FC on 31 August 2014.

Early life

After attending Our Lady of the Assumption primary school and St Thomas of Canterbury College, he moved to the United States to play for Greensboro College in North Carolina in 1997. After spending two years at Greensboro and leading The Pride to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III championship match, only to lose to Ohio Wesleyan University, he transferred to Stanford University where he played his final two years of college football. He was named Stanford's Most Valuable Player as a junior and an NSCAA All-American as a senior while playing as a defensive midfielder. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science.[4]

Club career

Christchurch United

Nelsen played for Christchurch United from 1995 to 1998. Even after he relocated to the United States, he played his last season with the club when he was home for a semester's sabbatical from his university football scholarship with Greensboro College.

DC United

Nelsen was drafted fourth overall in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United, with whom he spent four years in Major League Soccer (MLS). After emerging as a starter in 2002, Nelsen was named team captain in 2003, replacing Marco Etcheverry, as well as winning the team's Defender of the Year Award and being named to the league's Best XI. Again, in 2004 after leading United to its fourth MLS Cup, he was named the Best XI. In four years in MLS, Nelsen had seven goals and five assists.

Blackburn Rovers

Nelsen was signed by Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer in January 2005, shortly after the completion of the 2004 MLS season. In the summer of 2005, after just six months at the club, Nelsen signed a new three-year contract after impressing manager Mark Hughes and helping to turn Blackburn's defence into one of the toughest in the Premiership. Nelsen was successfully awarded a work permit on appeal after the initial application had been refused due to New Zealand being ranked outside the top seventy in the FIFA World Rankings.

In the 2005–06 season, Blackburn qualified for the UEFA Cup with a sixth-place finish, but Nelsen missed the last few games after breaking his foot in a 2–0 win at Charlton Athletic. Nevertheless, his performances since arriving in England prompted much interest from rival clubs including Portsmouth, whose bid for Nelsen was rejected by Blackburn. On 1 February 2006, he started and played the full ninety minutes alongside Andy Todd in a 4–3 league victory over Manchester United at Ewood Park.

Nelsen and Morten Gamst Pedersen attempt to clear the ball in a match against Manchester United

Nelsen was dealt with another blow before the start of the 2006–07 season, with a serious hamstring injury forcing him out until the new year. On his return to the team in an FA Cup fourth round win against Luton Town, he was immediately made captain. In July 2007, he signed a new five-year deal with the club until the summer of 2012. He scored his first league goal for Blackburn with a header against Wigan Athletic on 26 April 2009 in a 2–0 win which helped Blackburn stay in the Premier League for another season. He then scored his second Premier League goal against Portsmouth with a header from a corner taken by David Dunn on 7 November 2009, and has also scored goals against Birmingham City and Fulham. On 11 April 2010, Nelsen came on for the injured Christopher Samba against Manchester United at Ewood Park in a 0–0 draw.[5] Nelsen made his 175th appearance for Blackburn Rovers, leading the team in a 3–2 defeat to Everton at Ewood Park on 17 April 2010. In all competitions, Nelsen made a total of thirty-three appearances and scored four goals in the 2009–10 season.

On 13 November 2010, he scored against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane for his first goal of the 2010–11 Premier League season. On 27 November, he played the full ninety minutes partnering Christopher Samba, but this time in a 7–1 rout against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He then added his second and third goals of the campaign by scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 4 December in a 3–0 win and against West Ham United on 18 December in a 1–1 draw.

With Blackburn's tenth successive Premier League season, and their seventeenth in nineteen seasons, now underway, Nelsen welcomed the club's proposed takeover by Indian owned Venky's Group who has promised up to £100 million for Sam Allardyce to spend on strengthening the squad – with Nelsen feeling that the squad could do with "freshing up." On 15 January 2011, he made his 200th appearance for Blackburn in the away game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Nelsen signed a two-year contract extension with Rovers in late January 2011 which would keep him at the club until the summer of 2013.[6] Under Steve Kean as manager following the sacking of Sam Allardyce, Nelsen was relieved as team captain of Blackburn in favour of Christopher Samba, Nelsen moving to vice-captain. Nelsen suffered a knee injury forcing him to miss the rest of the 2010–11 season. Following the 2010–11 season, in which Blackburn avoided relegation, Nelsen recovered from the knee injury and made one appearance against Aston Villa in a 3–1 loss.

After fully recovering from his knee injury Nelsen was released from Blackburn on the transfer deadline day 31 January 2012 to sign for Tottenham Hotspur by Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp.[7]

Tottenham Hotspur

Nelsen was signed by Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer on 2 February 2012, to replace defender Sébastien Bassong, who joined Wolves on loan. He was given the number 33 shirt.[8][9] He made his debut for Tottenham on 11 February 2012 in the Premier League match against Newcastle United, when he replaced Ledley King in the seventy-fourth minute.

Nelsen made his first starting debut on 19 February 2012 against Stevenage in their FA Cup tie.[10]

He scored his first goal for Tottenham Hotspur on 27 March 2012 in the seventy-fourth minute of an FA Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers F.C. in a replay of a previous game, due to Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba having a cardiac arrest in the first tie. Tottenham Hotspur won the match 3–1 that day.

On 25 May 2012, he was released by Tottenham with fellow January signing Louis Saha. He made eight appearances scoring one goal.

Queens Park Rangers

On 18 June 2012, it was announced that Ryan Nelsen had signed a one-year deal with Queens Park Rangers. He scored the first goal with Rangers against Wigan Athletic heading the ball equalising the score to 1–1.

It was announced on 8 January 2013 that Nelsen had signed for Canadian MLS side Toronto FC as the club's new head coach.[11] However, he remained under contract with QPR and was in negotiations with their management regarding his release to take up the Toronto position.[3]

It was announced on 22 January 2013 that Nelsen would play his last game for QPR against Manchester City at Loftus Road on 29 January and will join Toronto FC on 1 February.[12] He played his last match for Queens Park Rangers on 29 January in a 0–0 draw against English champions, Manchester City, and was given a guard of honour by his teammates after the game.

International career

Nelsen made his New Zealand debut against Poland on 19 June 1999.[13][14] He was part of the All Whites' winning squad in the 2002 OFC Nations Cup, scoring the only goal of a 1–0 win over rivals Australia in the final.[15]

Although he has been selected to play on numerous occasions, Nelsen had not represented New Zealand between his last appearance in 2004 and 2008 due largely to a recurring hamstring injury.[16] Nelsen captained the New Zealand U-23 squad for their first appearance at the Olympic Games against China. Although he was only available for the opening two matches as Blackburn had requested that he return in time to prepare for their opening Premier League game of the 2008–09 season against Everton.[16][17] Nelsen captained the All Whites side as they qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, beating Bahrain in a two-legged playoff in November 2009.

On 10 May 2010, Nelsen was named in New Zealand's final 23-man squad to compete at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[18]

On 15 June, 28 years to the day after New Zealand made their second appearance in a FIFA World Cup Finals, their first since 1982, Nelsen captained New Zealand to their first ever point in a FIFA World Cup Finals match in a 1–1 draw with World Cup debutants Slovakia. On 24 June, Nelsen again skippered the All Whites in a 0–0 draw with Paraguay, but New Zealand were knocked out of the group stages. However, it is surely indisputable that New Zealand's biggest honour was to draw 1–1 with Italy, who were the reigning champions.

Nelsen was named in a football "World Cup Best XI" by American sports channel, ESPN on 10 July 2010.[19]

Coaching career

On 8 January 2013 Nelsen accepted an offer to become head coach of Major League Soccer side Toronto FC.[20] He started on 1 February in time for Toronto's pre-season. Nelsen won his first game as a head coach in the home opener against Sporting Kansas City in a 2–1 victory on 9 March, with both goals coming from newly acquired striker Robert Earnshaw.[21] He was sacked, along with his assistants, on 31 August 2014[22] after winning three out of his last 13 matches.[23]

Writing career

Nelsen and New Zealand author Tony Smith co-wrote the book Ryan Nelsen's Road to the World Cup.[24]

Career statistics

Club career statistics
As of 30 January 2013
Club League Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Christchurch United Mainland Premier League 1995 24200––242
1996 26421––285
1997 22172––293
1998 24541––286
Total 9612134000010916
D.C. United Major League Soccer 2001 19000––190
2002 20400––204
2003 25120––271
2004 17230––202
Total 817500000867
Blackburn Rovers Premier League 2004–05 1505000–200
2005–06 3100050–360
2006–07 120500020190
2007–08 220102050300
2008–09 3512020–391
2009–10 2840050–334\
2010–11 2831010–303
2011–12 100000–10
Total 1728140150702088
Tottenham Hotspur Premier League 2011–12 5031000081
Total 5031000081
Queens Park Rangers Premier League 2012–13 2111020–241
Total 211102000241
Career totals 375283651707043533

[25][26]

International goals and caps

New Zealand's goal tally first.

Managerial statistics
As of 31 August 2014.
Team From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win % Source
Toronto FC 8 January 2013[20] 31 August 2014[22] 64 17 18 29 71 97 −26 026.56

Awards

In the 2011 New Year Honours, Nelsen was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to football.[27][28]

Club
D.C. United
Blackburn Rovers

International
New Zealand

Individual

See also

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 306. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  3. "QPR defender Ryan Nelsen named new manager of Toronto". BBC Sport. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  4. Hall, Matthew. "Kiwi Captain Learned Premier League Defense in M.L.S.," (The New York Times football blog), Friday, 19 March 2010.
  5. "Blackburn 2–0 Wigan". BBC. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 24 October 2009.
  6. "New deal for Nelsen". Archived from the original on 25 January 2011.
  7. "Nelsen Leaves". rovers.co.uk. 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  8. "Spurs sign Nelsen from Blackburn". RTÉ Sport. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  9. "NELSEN COMPLETES MOVE". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  10. "Stevenage FC vs Tottenham LIVE Commentary". goal.com. 19 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  11. "Nelsen quits EPL to coach in Canada". 3 News NZ. 8 January 2013.
  12. Millson, Larry. "Full-time job: Nelsen set to take reins at TFC on Feb. 1". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  13. "A-International Lineups". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  14. Ryan Nelsen Profile at NZ Soccer Archived 30 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  15. "Soccer: All Whites $2m, Australia 0". NZ Herald. 16 July 2002.
  16. "Rover Ryan Returns". New Zealand Football. Archived from the original on 7 July 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  17. "Olympic Football Squads Named". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 4 July 2008. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  18. "All Whites World Cup squad named". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  19. "World Cup Best XI". Archived from the original on 14 July 2010.
  20. Larson, Kurtis (8 January 2013). "TFC introduction of Ryan Nelsen as head coach met with skepticism". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  21. Bottjer, Steve (9 March 2013). "Reds Beat SKC at Rogers Centre". Toronto FC. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  22. Smith, Doug (31 August 2014). "Toronto FC fires coaches, Jermain Defoe might go". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 1 September 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  23. McIntyre, Doug (31 August 2014). "Ryan Nelsen fired as Toronto FC coach". ESPN FC. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  24. "Ryan Nelsen's long and winding road". One Sport. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  25. Ryan Nelsen
  26. Ryan Nelsen | Blackburn Rovers | Team | 1st Team Profiles Archived 26 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  27. "Football heroes congratulated on honours – tvnz.co.nz". Television New Zealand. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  28. "New Years Honours: Full 2011 list – nzherald.co.nz". The New Zealand Herald. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  29. "IFFHS MAN TEAM - OFC - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020". IFFHS. 31 January 2021.
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