Tim Ward (soccer)

Timothy Robert Ward (born February 28, 1987 in Waukesha, Wisconsin) is an American former professional soccer player.

Tim Ward
Ward with the Earthquakes in September 2010
Personal information
Full name Timothy Robert Ward[1]
Date of birth (1987-02-28) February 28, 1987
Place of birth Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Defender/Midfielder
Youth career
2002–2004 IMG Soccer Academy
2004 St. Louis Billikens
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005 MetroStars 13 (0)
2006–2008 Columbus Crew 17 (0)
2008 Colorado Rapids 0 (0)
2009–2010 Chicago Fire 25 (0)
2010–2012 San Jose Earthquakes 16 (0)
National team‡
2001–2002 United States U16 11 (1)
2002–2004 United States U17 35 (3)
2003–2004 United States U18 14 (1)
2004–2007 United States U20 28 (2)
2007 United States U23 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of December 3, 2012
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of August 10, 2012

Career

Youth and college

Ward, who can play any position on defense and also in defensive midfield, trained with the United States Under-17 team at the Bradenton Academy from 2002 to 2004. Following his graduation, he played a year of college soccer at Saint Louis University, starting 18 games for the Billikens, and being named second-team All-Conference USA.

Professional

Ward left after his freshman season to sign a Generation adidas contract with MLS, whereupon he was selected 12th overall in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft by the MetroStars, who acquired the pick by trading Cornell Glen to FC Dallas. Ward acquitted himself well in his rookie season, especially with his runs and crosses from the left back spot. After the year, he was traded to Columbus Crew for Chris Henderson.

After two seasons in Columbus, Ward was traded to Colorado Rapids on February 27, 2008 for Nicolas Hernández. However, he was waived at the end of the 2008 season without playing a first-team game. He was on trial with Chicago Fire for most of early 2009, eventually signing with the team in March. In 2009 Ward started all 19 games he appeared in for Chicago before breaking a toe on his left foot in the Superliga final against Mexican powerhouse Tigres and opting for surgery.[2] Ward returned to Chicago in 2010. On August 6, 2010 Ward was traded to San Jose Earthquakes for a 2011 MLS SuperDraft pick.[3] Ward remained with San Jose through the 2012 season appearing in 16 league matches until his contract expired on December 31, 2012. Unfortunately, Ward has to retire early because of a torn hamstring tendon suffered in a preseason game against eventual English Premier League Champions Leicester City. [4]

International

Ward has played for various youth United States national teams, and was part of the Under-20 team at the 2005 World Youth Championship. He had to miss the tournament due to an injury. Ward also was a member of the Under-20 team at the 2007 World Youth Championship.

References
  1. "List of Players — 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  2. [http://www.chicagonow.com/fire-confidential/2009/11/fire-injury-report-2/
  3. Fire trade Ward – chicago-fire.com
  4. [https://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2011/03/08/training-report-hernandez-returns-team-drills
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