Every week, staff writer James Crabtree-Hannigan will take a look at the careers of a number of former Maryland athletes embarking on professional careers in a variety of leagues. Every Tuesday, it’s former men’s soccer players. The stats are from games through June 12.
Graham Zusi, Midfielder, Sporting Kansas City
2016 stats: 12 GP, 11 GS, 992 minutes, 0 goals, 3 assists, 16 shots, 1 yellow card
Skinny: Zusi has been used as a substitute in the late stages of each of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s three Copa America matches so far. He came on in the 70th minute against Costa Rica June 7 and scored in the 87th minute to seal the USMNT’s 4-0 victory. It was the fifth international goal of his career. Zusi entered in the 75th minute June 11 against Paraguay and did not record a stat in the 1-0 win that clinched the U.S. a spot in the quarterfinals.
With the MLS on international break this week, we’ll take a look at former Terps in America’s lower soccer leagues.
Mikey Ambrose, Defender, Orlando City B (United Soccer League)
2016 stats: 11 GP, 11 GS, 990 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 shots, 2 yellow cards
Skinny: Ambrose starts on the backline for the Orlando City B, who are 5-6-2 on the season. In the City B’s last game June 11, Ambrose played all 90 minutes and did not pick up a stat in a 2-1 win over the Charleston Battery.
Ivan Magalhaes, Defender, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (United Soccer League)
2016 stats: 10 GP, 6 GS, 687 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists, 3 shots, 0 yellow cards
Skinny: Magalhaes has worked his way into a starting spot with the Toros after being drafted 26th by the Houston Dynamo in this year’s MLS SuperDraft. He started and played 90 minutes for a sixth consecutive game June 11 in the team’s 3-0 win over the Oklahoma City Energy.
Daniel Metzger, Midfielder, New York Red Bulls II (United Soccer League)
2016 stats: 10 GP, 497 minutes, 1 goal, 0 assists, 4 shots, 2 yellow cards
Skinny: Metzger is in his second year with the New York Red Bulls II and sees consistent minutes for the team. He scored his only goal of the season April 22 against the Wilmington Hammerheads, lifting his team to a 1-0 win. He played 23 minutes against the Harrisburg City Islanders on June 9 and did not record a stat.