Matthew Timothy Kassel (born October 30, 1989) is a retired American soccer player and current color commentator for Bethlehem Steel FC in the USL.

Matt Kassel
Personal information
Full name Matthew Timothy Kassel
Date of birth (1989-10-30) October 30, 1989 (age 34)
Place of birth Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2006–2008 New York Red Bulls
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Maryland Terrapins
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010 New York Red Bulls NPSL
2011 New York Red Bulls 2 (0)
2012 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 18 (6)
2013 Philadelphia Union 5 (0)
2014 Arizona United 26 (2)
International career
2007 United States U18 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 11, 2014

Career edit

College and amateur edit

Kassel attended Bridgewater-Raritan High School.[1] He began his career with New York Red Bulls' youth academy,[2] and was heavily recruited going into college,[2][3] being ranked as the ninth best high school recruit in the nation by the magazine ESPN RISE.[4] After receiving interest from New York Red Bulls Kassel decided to attend the University of Maryland. In his first year at Maryland Kassel helped his side capture the 2008 Division I Men's College Cup.

In January 2009, he declined to sign a contract from New York Red Bulls. Instead, he decided to stay with the University of Maryland soccer team.[5] In his three years at the University of Maryland Kassell appeared in 68 matches and scored 11 goals and recorded 24 assists. During his time in college he remained with the New York Red Bulls Academy and was a member of the New York Red Bull NPSL squad.

Professional edit

In January 2011 Kassel signed with New York Red Bulls, becoming the third Home Grown player to join the senior roster.[6] He made his MLS debut on 28 May 2011, in a 1–1 tie with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[7] On June 28, 2011 Kassel started his first match for New York playing the full 90 in a 2–1 victory over FC New York in the US Open Cup.[8]

Kassel was waived by New York on February 17, 2012.[9] In his first season with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds after signing with the team in April 2012, he scored 6 goals in 18 games and earned 2nd Team USL PRO All-League honors.[10]

After spending Spring Training as a trialist, Kassel signed with the Philadelphia Union on March 5, 2013.[11]

Kassel was released by Philadelphia before the start of their 2014 season and later signed with USL Pro's Arizona United.[12]

International edit

Kassel has played for the United States at several youth team levels, including Under 15, Under 18 and Under 20. He played in all three games at the Under 18 Lisbon Tournament in May 2007.[13] In April 2008, Kassel was called up for the Under 20 team for a week-long training camp in England and three games against Premier League reserve teams.[14]

Broadcasting edit

After a four-year professional career, Kassel retired from playing. Since 2016, Kassel has been brought on as the color commentator for the newly formed Bethlehem Steel FC; USL affiliate of his former club, Philadelphia Union.[15]

Career statistics edit

Club edit

As of January 4, 2017[16]
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
USA League Open Cup League Cup North America Total
2011 New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2012 Pittsburgh Riverhounds USL Pro 18 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 6
2013 Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
2014 Arizona United SC USL Pro 26 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 28 3
Total USA 51 8 4 1 0 0 0 0 55 9
Career total 51 8 4 1 0 0 0 0 55 9

Honors edit

University of Maryland edit

Individual edit

References edit

  1. ^ Goff, Steven (2008-08-29). "Recruit Kassel Joins the Terps, At Least for Now". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2012-11-09. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  2. ^ a b Dyer, Kristian (2008-04-30). "Youth product Kassel looks to have bright prospects". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  3. ^ Ziegler, Robert (2008-03-23). "Kassel's development leads to opportunities, decisions". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  4. ^ "Matt Kassel". University of Maryland, College Park. Archived from the original on 2011-09-17. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  5. ^ Lewis, Brian (2009-01-05). "RBNY's Matt Kassel staying at Maryland". New York Post. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  6. ^ "Red Bulls add Kassel as Home Grown player | Major League Soccer". Archived from the original on 2011-01-29.
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-05-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "USOC Recap: Rooney, Hertzog lead Red Bulls over FCNY | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on 2011-07-01.
  9. ^ "Red Bulls Waive Sacir Hot, Matt Kassel | New York Red Bulls". Archived from the original on 2012-02-19.
  10. ^ "Orlando City dominates All-USL PRO selections".
  11. ^ Boehm, Charles. "Philadelphia Union add depth with signing of Red Bulls product Matt Kassel". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  12. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  13. ^ "U.S. U-18 Men Fall to Finland in Lisbon Tournament - U.S. Soccer". Archived from the original on 2012-08-19. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
  14. ^ "Under-20 Men's National Team Gears Up for Training Camp in Manchester, England - U.S. Soccer". Archived from the original on 2012-04-25.
  15. ^ "Bethlehem Steel FC announce announcing team". Brotherly Game. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  16. ^ Matt Kassel at Soccerway
  17. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved 2013-01-30.

External links edit