Craig Ziadie

Craig Ziadie (born 20 September 1978 in Pembroke Pines, Florida) is a Jamaican-American soccer player, who last played right back for the MetroStars of Major League Soccer.

Craig Ziadie
Personal information
Full name Craig Ziadie
Date of birth (1978-09-20) 20 September 1978
Place of birth Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States
Playing position(s) Defender
Youth career
1997–2000 University of Richmond
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 D.C. United 19 (0)
2002–2004 MetroStars 57 (1)
Total 76 (1)
National team
2002–2004 Jamaica 26 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Youth and College

Although he was born in Florida, Ziadie grew up in Kingston, Jamaica. He came back to America first to attend high school, and then to play college soccer at the University of Richmond. While at Richmond, Ziadie was a three-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, and was named the CAA Player of the Year in his 2000 senior year. He also played for the Palm Beach Pumas of the Premier Development League during his college years.

Professional career

Upon graduating, Ziadie was selected 28th overall by D.C. United in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft.[1] Ziadie surprised many by earning a starting spot in the D.C. lineup, and finished the year with three assists in 18 appearances, 13 of which were starts. Shortly into the 2002 season, however, Ziadie was traded to the MetroStars along with Mark Lisi in exchange for Petter Villegas and Orlando Perez. He quickly earned a starting position with the MetroStars, though, and finished the season with 18 starts. Ziadie has maintained his starting position at right back through most of 2003 and 2004, adding a goal and four assists over 42 games. He was taken by Chivas USA in the 2004 MLS Expansion Draft, but did not sign with the team.

International career

Ziadie also plays for the Jamaican national team; he made his debut for the team 16 October 2002 against Japan, opting not to wait for the United States to call him in.[2] He has since made more than 20 appearances for the team, and has been a fixture at right back during World Cup 2006 Qualifying.

Personal

Ziadie's father, Dennis Ziadie, played in the NASL with the Boston Beacons as well as for the Jamaica national team. Ziadie is a cousin of the American soccer player Mark Chung.[3]

References
  1. Haydon, John (31 May 2001). "United hoping Ziadie can fill right back void". The Washington Times.
  2. Wagman, Robert (12 April 2001). "Ziadie's Choice: Jamaica or wait for Arena". Soccer Times. Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
  3. "The Knowledge: Which defenders have scored hat-tricks from open play?". The Guardian. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.


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