Erik Imler

Infobox Football biography
playername= Erik Imler


fullname = Erik Bradley Imler
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1971|6|11
cityofbirth = Silver Spring, Maryland
countryofbirth = United States
height = height|ft=5|in=9
currentclub =
clubnumber =
position = Midfielder / Defender
youthyears = 1989-1992
youthclubs = University of Virginia
years =
1995
1996
1997
1997
1998-1999
clubs = Delaware Wizards
Raleigh Flyers
D.C. United
Worcester Wildfire
New England Revolution
Charleston Battery
caps(goals) =
? (10)
19 (0)
15 (0)
01 (0)
nationalyears = 1993
nationalteam = United States
nationalcaps(goals) = 01 0(0)
pcupdate = 17:47, 24 February 2007 (UTC)
ntupdate = 7 December 2006

Erik Bradley Imler (born June 1, 1971 in Silver Spring, Maryland) is a former soccer defender from the United States. He won national championships while playing at the University of Virginia before becoming part of the US team that competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Youth and college

Imler grew up in Maryland, attending Bowie High School in Bowie, Maryland. In 1988, his senior year, he was named a Parade Magazine high school All American soccer player. ^{[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1174103.html]} After high school, he attended the University of Virginia where he played as a defender and defensive midfielder on the men’s soccer team from 1989 to 1992. During his four season at Virginia, the Cavaliers took the NCAA title twice (1991 and 1992) and were co-champions once (1989). In 1992, he was the team captain as a senior. Imler was a two time scond team All American. While at Virginia, he majored in sports medicine. In 2000, "SoccerAmerica" magazine named Imler to its College Team of the Century.

Professional

Some time in his career, Imler played with the Delaware Wizards of USISL. However, in 1995 he was the Raleigh Flyers.

In February 1996, D.C. United of Major League Soccer (MLS) drafted Imler in the third round (30th overall) in the 1996 MLS Draft. He spent the 1996 season in central defense with United, playing in nineteen games as the team took both the MLS and U.S. Open Cup titles.

United released Imler in 1997 and he signed with the Worcester Wildfire of USISL. At the same time, he pursued a return to MLS and had a two week try out with the New England Revolution. On May 7, 1997, the Revs signed Imler as a Discovery Player after impressing the coaches during his trial. The Revs waived Imler on November 10, 1997.

In 1999, Imler played one game, twelve minutes total, for the Charleston Battery. ^{[http://www.charlestonbattery.com/history_pregister.asp?pid=46]}

National and Olympic teams

Imler was a member of the U.S. team at the 1987 U-16 World Cup in Canada. He then went on to play with the U.S. U-20 national team, but was not a member of the team at any cups. In 1991, Imler was part of the U.S. gold winning soccer team at the Pan American Games.

He then continued to play for the U-23 national team leading up to the 1996 Summer Olympics. Imler started all six games as the U.S. successfully qualified for the tournament. He was then named to the U.S. soccer team for the games. At the Olympics, the U.S. went 1-1-1 and did not qualify for the second round.

On March 23, 1993, Imler earned his only caps with the U.S. national team in a 2-2 tie with El Salvador. However in the 43d minute, he tore ligaments in his right knee during the game and was replaced by Yari Allnutt who scored a goal. Imler never appeared again for the senior national team.

Retirement

Since retiring from playing professionally, Imler has held several positions as a youth soccer coach. He is currently a coach with the North Meck Soccer Club in North Carolina. ^{[http://www.northmecksoccer.org/home/news_detail.asp?menu_category=Home&newsid=141]}

External links

* [http://www.nhsoccer.com/rev/roster/imler.htm New England Revolution fan site profile]
* [http://www.bootroomss.com/meeteriks.html Boot Rooms bio]