Ray Saari

Ray Saari
Personal information
Date of birth (1995-04-18) April 18, 1995
Place of birth Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Playing position Midfielder
Youth career
2009–2013 Billy Goat FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 Tulsa Golden Hurricane 69 (12)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013 Houston Dutch Lions 9 (0)
2014–2016 Tulsa Athletic 27 (12)
2017–2018 Seattle Sounders FC 2 39 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:57, 13 September 2018 (UTC)

Ray Saari (born April 18, 1995) is an American soccer player.

Early life

Saari was raised in the Kansas City area and attended Oak Park High School. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 15 and underwent several months of chemotherapy before returning to the high school's soccer team.[1]

Career

College and Amateur

Saari spent his entire college career at the University of Tulsa. He made a total of 69 appearances for the Golden Hurricane and tallied 12 goals and 12 assists. His sophomore season he was named to the American Athletic Conference All-conference team.[2] In his senior season despite missing five matches, Saari finished as the team's second leading scorer and earned a spot on the NSCAA All-East region first team.[3]

Saari spent three seasons with NPSL side Tulsa Athletic, playing a pivotal role in winning conference titles in two of his three seasons there. His advanced attacking role with the club yielded nearly a point a game and showcased his creative ability in the final third. Saari is among the all-time points leaders at the club registering 12 goals and 13 assists.

He also played in the Premier Development League for Houston Dutch Lions.[4]

Professional

On March 22, 2017, Saari signed his first pro contract, joining USL club Seattle Sounders FC 2.[5] He made his professional debut four days later in a 2–1 defeat to Sacramento Republic.[6] On September 13, 2018 Saari was released from Seattle Sounders FC 2 having played in 39 matches over two seasons for S2 and recording four goals and six assists.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Saari, Ray (September 4, 2018). "Soccer Saved Me, Cancer Matured Me: S2 midfielder Ray Saari details his battle overcoming illness". Seattle Sounders FC. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  2. ↑ "25 - Ray Saari".
  3. ↑ "2016 NSCAA NCAA Division I Men's All-East Region Teams".
  4. ↑ "Houston Dutch Lions – Archive". HoustonDutchLionsFC.com. Houston Dutch Lions. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Sounders FC 2 signs seven players ahead of March 26 season-opener against Sacramento Republic FC". SoundersFC.com. Sounders FC Communications. March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Sounders FC 2 falls 2–1 to Sacramento Republic FC in season-opening match". SoundersFC.com. Sounders FC Communications. March 26, 2017. Archived from the original on March 28, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Sounders FC 2 releases Ray Saari". Seattle Sounders FC. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.


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