Chris Konopka
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Konopka | ||
| Date of birth | April 14, 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Toms River, New Jersey, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Portland Timbers | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1994–2003 | Jersey Shore Boca | ||
| 2003–2006 | Providence Friars | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004 | Jersey Falcons | 8 | (0) |
| 2007 | Kansas City Wizards | 0 | (0) |
| 2008 | Bohemian FC | 0 | (0) |
| 2009 | Sporting Fingal | 3 | (0) |
| 2010 | Waterford United | 12 | (0) |
| 2011 | New York Red Bulls | 1 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | Philadelphia Union | 1 | (0) |
| 2013–2015 | Toronto FC | 21 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Toronto FC II (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2016 | Ross County | 0 | (0) |
| 2016– | Portland Timbers | 0 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 15, 2016. | |||
Christopher Konopka (born April 14, 1985) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. Before joining the Timbers, Konopka played for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer from 2013-2015 bringing the team to their first ever playoff appearance in club history in 2015. He also holds the record for most single-season game wins (11) and single-season win percentage (59.5%) by any Toronto FC goalkeeper in the club's tenure.
Konopka is the first American born soccer player to ever win the Irish Double and also the first to win back-to-back FAI Cup medals.[1][2]
Personal life
Konopka grew up in Toms River, New Jersey[3] and played both basketball and soccer at Toms River High School East.[4] He holds both American and Polish citizenship.[5]
Amateur and college
Konopka came through the youth system of the Jersey Shore Boca soccer club in South Jersey. In the summer of 2003 he played for the club's Premier Development League team. In the summer of 2004 he made 8 appearances for the Jersey Falcons in the same league.[6]
Providence College
He played NCAA Division I collegiate soccer in the Big East Conference at Providence College from 2003 to 2006.[7] Konopka earned himself trials in England after his senior season with Charlton Athletic,[8] Cardiff City,[9] and Walsall FC.[10] However, he was unable to sign in the United Kingdom as his attempted acquisition of a Polish passport through ancestry had not yet been completed.
Club career
Kansas City Wizards
Konopka was drafted in the third round, 29th overall, by the Kansas City Wizards in 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. He became the first player in the history of Providence College to be drafted by an MLS team. Konopka was released by the Wizards at the end of the 2007 season without making an appearance.[11]
In December 2007, Konopka was named to the United States U-23 National Team player pool by head coach Piotr Nowak.
Bohemians
In March 2008 Konopka signed a one-year contract with Bohemian FC following a successful trial. He made his debut on July 1, 2008 against Derry City in the League Cup.
As a member of Bohs, Konopka won the League of Ireland championship and the FAI Cup in 2008. He also impressed with the Bohemians' A-Side in the inaugural A Championship, leading Bohemians to the Grand Final.
Sporting Fingal
On July 28, 2009 Konopka signed a short-term contract with then League of Ireland First Division side Sporting Fingal.[12]
He made his debut on October 2, 2009 in a 2-2 draw against Monaghan United. Konopka went on to make 3 more appearances for Fingal including a 4-2 win over Bray Wanderers in the 2009 FAI Cup semi-final on October 25. Konopka helped the club win the 2009 FAI Cup and promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division for 2010.
Waterford United
Konopka signed with Waterford United on December 18, 2009 for the 2010 season.[13] He made his debut on March 5, 2010 in a 3-0 victory over Wexford Youths.
Konopka received "man of the match" honours from extratime.ie for his performance in a 1-0 victory over Shelbourne on May 7, 2010. It was Waterford's first win over Shelbourne at Tolka Park in 11 years.[14]
Columbus Crew
Konopka was signed by the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer from the MLS Goalkeeper Pool on July 26, 2011. Despite featuring in an international friendly that evening against Newcastle United and being re-called for 4 future matches he would not make a professional appearance for the club.[11][15]
New York Red Bulls
Konopka was signed by New York Red Bulls from the MLS Goalkeeper Pool on August 13, 2011. He made his league debut that evening in a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire.[16] His emergency loan ended after the match and he returned to the MLS Goalkeeper Pool.
Philadelphia Union
On March 2, 2012, Konopka signed with the Philadelphia Union.[17]
He made his debut on May 26, 2012, in a 1-0 loss against Toronto FC.[18] Three days later he featured in Philadelphia's first US Open Cup victory against the Rochester Rhinos.[19]
Toronto FC
On September 13, 2013, the Philadelphia Union traded Konopka to Toronto FC .[20]
Konopka made his debut on May 2, 2015 in a 1-0 victory against his former club the Philadelphia Union.[11][21]
He was named to the MLS Team of the Week on May 18, 2015 for his seven save effort in a 1–1 draw against the New England Revolution.[22]
Konopka finished 2015 with a break-out season for TFC setting the all-time single season Toronto goalkeeper league win record with 11 and his 59.5 win percentage is the best ever in Toronto goalkeeping history.[23]
Ross County
On March 8, 2016, Konopka joined Ross County in the Scottish Premiership until the end of the 2015-16 season.[24] On March 13, 2016, Konopka was an unused substitute for Ross County who won the 2015–16 Scottish League Cup 2-1 against Hibernian.[25]
Portland Timbers
Konopka returned to Major League Soccer and signed for the Timbers on July 28, 2016. [26]
Career statistics
- As of matches played July 28, 2016
| Club | Season | League | Cup [lower-alpha 1] | League Cup [lower-alpha 2] | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Kansas City Wizards | 2007[11] | MLS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bohemians | 2008 | League of Ireland Premier Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Sporting Fingal | 2009 | League of Ireland First Division | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Waterford United | 2010 | League of Ireland First Division | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Columbus Crew | 2011[11] | MLS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Red Bulls | 2011[11] | MLS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Union | 2012[11][27] | MLS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013[11] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Toronto | 2013[11] | MLS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014[11] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2015[11][27] | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||
| Toronto FC II (loan) | 2015[27] | USL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Toronto | Total | 22 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| Ross County | 2015-2016 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Portland Timbers | 2016 | MLS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | 39 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | ||
- ↑ Includes FAI Cup, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and Canadian Championship matches.
- ↑ Includes League of Ireland Cup and MLS Playoffs matches.
Honors
Club
- Bohemians
- League of Ireland Champions: 2008
- FAI Cup Winners: 2008
- Sporting Fingal
- Waterford United
- Munster Senior Cup Winners: 2010
- Ross County
References
- ↑ O'Kelly, Declan."American Wins Irish Double at Bohs", Irish Voice, December 17, 2008.
- ↑ Seltzer, Greg."American Exports: Notepad", MLSsoccer.com, May 5, 2011.
- ↑ Edelson, Steve. "Konopka right at home, in Ireland", Asbury Park Press, March 12, 2008
- ↑ Chris Konopka, Providence Friars. Accessed April 8, 2008.
- ↑ "American Exports: Konopka invited to Polish club". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
- ↑ "2004 Jersey Falcons". Pdl.uslsoccer.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Chris Konopka Named to the US Soccer Region I Under-19 Men's Olympic Development Team - FRIARS.COM - The Providence College Official Athletic Site". Friars.Com. December 12, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Charlton take American goalkeeper Chris Konopka on trial| Soccer Blog|Football News, Reviews, Quizzes". Soccer-blogger.com. February 6, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- ↑ Archived July 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Big Apple Soccer". Big Apple Soccer. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Chris Konopka Player Profile". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ↑ "Sporting Move For Keeps", Fingal Independent, September 2, 2009.
- ↑ "Konopka joins Waterford from Fingal', RTE.ie, December 19, 2009.
- ↑ , extratime.ie, May 7, 2010
- ↑ King, Andrew."Newcastle proves too much for Crew" Archived April 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine., Columbus Sports Network, July 26, 2011
- ↑ Kristian Dyer (August 14, 2011). "Konopka makes "dream" first MLS start". New York Red Bulls. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- ↑ Philadelphia Union Communications."Union sign goalkeeper Chris Konopka", March 2, 2012.
- ↑ "Recap: Late goal vaults TFC past Philly, ends losing streak". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
- ↑ Comcast Sportsnet."Union Take Cup Opener", May 29, 2012.
- ↑ Toronto FC press release."Reds Acquire Chris Konopka" September 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Philadelphia Union 0, Toronto FC 1 MLS Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. May 2, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ↑ MLSsoccer.com "Team of the Week - WK 11" May 18, 2015.
- ↑ TorontoFC.CA 2015 TFC Player Stats
- ↑ Durent, Jamie (March 8, 2016). "Ross County agree deal with goalkeeper Chris Konopka". The Inverness Courier. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- 1 2 Wilson, Richard (March 13, 2016). "Scottish League Cup Final". BBC Scotland. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
- ↑ http://www.timbers.com/post/2016/07/28/portland-timbers-sign-goalkeeper-chris-konopka
- 1 2 3 "C. Konopka Summary". Soccerway. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
