Sean Franklin

Sean Michael Franklin (born March 21, 1985) is an American former soccer player who played as a defender.

Sean Franklin
Sean Franklin Playing for D.C. United
Personal information
Full name Sean Michael Franklin
Date of birth (1985-03-21) March 21, 1985
Place of birth Panorama City, California, U.S.
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Position(s) Defender
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Cal State Northridge Matadors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 San Fernando Valley Quakes 31 (4)
2008–2013 Los Angeles Galaxy 160 (5)
2014–2017 D.C. United 101 (3)
2018 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 11 (0)
Total 303 (12)
National team‡
2005 United States U20 2 (0)
2007 United States U23 1 (0)
2011 United States 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 5, 2018
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of November 2, 2012

Career

Youth and amateur

Franklin was a three-time letter-winner at Highland High School in Palmdale, California. He was named the Golden League's Most Valuable Player as a senior, and also earned all-area first-team honors in 2003 after helping the Bulldogs to a Golden League crown in 2003.

At Cal State Northridge, he was an invaluable member of the Matadors’ defense, starting over 50 games since 2004, being named to the All-Big West Conference team in both 2005 and 2006. During his college years Franklin spent two years with the San Fernando Valley Quakes of the USL Premier Development League, helping them reach the playoffs for the first time in 2007, although his campaign was cut short when he broke his arm in the playoff semi-final against BYU Cougars.

Professional

Franklin was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy, and made his MLS debut in Galaxy's home opener against San Jose Earthquakes on April 3, 2008.

In late April, Greg Daurio reported coach Gullit saying Franklin had been their best player, saying "I think again he played an excellent game. If you see how he goes into midfield, gives long balls to David (Beckham) all the time, I think he's made huge progress. That makes me happy."[1] Franklin was awarded MLS Rookie of the Year for the 2008 season. He beat fellow finalists Geoff Cameron and Kheli Dube to the award.

Franklin missed the majority of the 2009 MLS season after undergoing surgery to repair a hamstring tear he suffered during a game against Columbus Crew on May 17, 2009.[2]

He signed a new contract with Los Angeles on December 23, 2011.[3]

Franklin was selected by D.C. United in the 2013 MLS Re-Entry Draft and signed with D.C. shortly thereafter. He scored his first goal for D.C. on April 26, 2014, in a 4-1 win against FC Dallas.[4] On December 19, 2016, D.C. United re-signed Franklin in a multiyear contract.[5] On November 28, 2017 his contract option with United was declined.[6]

On February 22, 2018, Franklin signed for MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC as a free agent.[7]

Franklin was released by Vancouver at the end of their 2018 season.[8]

International

Franklin was called up to the U.S. under-20 men's national team during the spring of 2004, and played 90 minutes for the U-23 team in a 0–0 draw with Japan in Japan in 2007.

He was called up to the senior men's squad twice in 2008 and 2009. He was unused in the World Cup qualifier against Guatemala on November 18, 2008, and withdrew from the camp which faced Sweden on January 24, 2009 with a hernia injury.

He made his senior debut on January 22, 2011 in a friendly match against Chile.

Honors
Los Angeles Galaxy

Individual

References
  1. Daurio, Greg (April 30, 2008). "Rookie impresses amid Galaxy stars". MLSnet. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved May 18, 2008.
  2. "Galaxy's Franklin to miss 4-6 months".
  3. "LA Galaxy Re-sign Three Players Ahead of 2012 Season". December 22, 2011.
  4. "Sean Franklin".
  5. Brisendine, Steve (December 19, 2016). "DC United re-sign veteran defender Sean Franklin". Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  6. "D.C. United exercise contract options on six players". dcunited.com. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  7. "Vancouver Whitecaps FC sign experienced right back Sean Franklin | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. February 22, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  8. "Whitecaps FC announce first roster moves ahead of 2019, exercise seven contract options". Whitecaps.com. November 26, 2018.
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