Wade Barrett

Football player infobox| playername= Wade Barrett
fullname = Wade Barrett
nickname =


dateofbirth = birth date and age|mf=yes|1976|6|23
cityofbirth = Virginia Beach, VA
countryofbirth = United States
height = height|ft=5|in=8
currentclub = Houston Dynamo
clubnumber = 24
position = defender
youthyears = 1994-97
youthclubs = William & Mary
years = 1998-2002 2002-04 2004 2005 2006-
clubs = San Jose Earthquakes AGF Aarhus Fredrikstad FK (loan) San Jose Earthquakes Houston Dynamo
caps(goals) = 112 0(5) 031 0(0) 008 0(0) 030 0(1) 063 0(0)
nationalyears = 2002-
nationalteam = United States
nationalcaps(goals) = 002 0(0)
pcupdate = April 6, 2008
ntupdate = March 28, 2007

Wade Barrett (born June 23, 1976 in Virginia Beach, Virginia) is an American soccer defender, who currently plays for Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.

College

Barrett played college soccer at William & Mary in his native Virginia from 1994 to 1997, where he scored 38 goals and 26 assists, and was voted an NSCAA All-American in his senior season.

Professional career

MLS

Barrett was drafted 12th overall in the 1998 MLS College Draft by the then-San Jose Clash. Barrett was a consistent contributor for the Earthquakes in his first two seasons, being slowly converted from a midfielder to a defender, but was beset by groin injuries in the 2000 season that forced him to miss much of the year. Barrett returned in 2001, however, recovered and rejuvenated, and proved himself to be one of the best defenders in MLS, playing left back for a San Jose team that would win the 2001 MLS Cup. Barrett cemented his position in 2002, continuing his exceptional play at left fullback, and in recognition was named to the 2002 MLS Best XI. In five years in the league, he scored five goals and added 22 assists.

Europe

Barrett left MLS after the 2002 season, however, to pursue opportunities in Europe. Barrett first signed with Danish club AGF Aarhus, with whom he spent the latter half of 2002 and much of 2003, but was unable to establish himself as a first-choice left back. In light of his position at Aarhus, Barrett opted to leave the club in July 2004 in order to join Fredrikstad FK in Norway, joining fellow American Brian West.

Back to MLS

He left Scandinavia in January 2005, re-signing with San Jose and winning the MLS Supporter's Shield in his first season back. Along with the rest of his Earthquakes teammates, he moved to Houston for the 2006 season.

In each of the Dynamo's first two seasons, Barrett and his teammates finished second in the Western Conference but won the MLS Cup championship. As the Dynamo's captain, Barrett lifted the championship trophy each year. He played in 61 of the team's 62 regular season games in its first two seasons.

International career

As of March 2007, has earned two caps for the US national team, the first one coming November 17, 2002 against El Salvador. He was called into camp for the U.S. for an October 8, 2005 World Cup qualifer against Costa Rica, but suffered a hamstring injury in training that prevented him from appearing in the match. In March 2007, Barrett was again called into camp for the USMNT in preparation for friendlies against Ecuador and Guatemala, and was brought into the game against Guatemala as a second half substitute.

ee also

*List of current MLS players