Michael Ritch

Michael Ritch

Personal information
Date of birth	April 26, 1981 (1981-04-26) (age 30)
Place of birth	Tallassee, Alabama, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Playing position	Midfielder/Striker
Youth career
1999-2002	Auburn-Montgomery
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2003-04	Columbus Crew	15	(1)
2003	→ Syracuse Salty Dogs (loan)	3	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of July 25, 2007. † Appearances (Goals).

Michael Ritch (born April 26, 1981 in Tallassee, Alabama) is an American soccer striker, who last played for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.

Ritch played college soccer at Auburn University Montgomery in the NAIA from 1999 to 2002, where he helped lead the team to four straight conference championships. Ritch was named a second-team All-American in 2001, and as a senior, after scoring 29 goals with 15 assists in 23 games, he was named a first team All-American. Ritch finished his career at the school with 64 goals and 48 assists.

In December 2002, Ritch was selected as the #1 overall pick in the 2003 A-League College Draft by the Syracuse Salty Dogs.^[1] Upon graduating from college, Ritch was drafted 37th overall in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew, and signed a two year contract with the club. He only played 21 minutes over three games as a rookie, however in his second year, Ritch appeared in 12 games (4 as a starter) and finished the year with one goal and one assist. In 2003, the Crew sent Ritch on loan to the Salty Dogs for three games.

Michael Ritch is currently the Director of Coaching at CSC (Cajun Soccer Club) in Lafayette, LA

References

1. ^ "Syracuse selects NAIA All-American Ritch first overall". United Soccer Leagues. 2003-12-18. http://www.a-league.com/news/2002/news,2002,0798.shtml. Retrieved 2007-07-25. 

Persondata
Name	Ritch, Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	April 26, 1981
Place of birth	Tallassee, Alabama, U.S.
Date of death
Place of death