Chris Houser
Encyclopedia
Chris Houser is a retired American soccer defender
who played professionally in Major League Soccer
. Since retiring from soccer, he has built a career in sales and marketing.
. When he turned eight, his stepfather was assigned to Germany where Houser began playing soccer. He later returned to Sioux Falls where he graduated from high school. He spent a year working and playing with a local amateur team. His father than paid for him to attended the Vogelsinger Academy where he played well enough to gain an invitation to play for the Vogelsinger team as it toured Belgium. He gained a trial with a local club but his finances did not allow him to stay in Belgium. He returned to South Dakota where he earned enough to return to Belgium but did not gain a contract. However, the coach of the Southern Connecticut State University
had seen him play at with the Vogelsinger team and offered him a scholorship. He played soccer for the Owls from 1994 to 1997. In 1995, Houser and his team mates won the NCAA Men's Division II Soccer Championship
. In 1997, he played for the Bridgeport Italians who went to the second round of the 1997 U.S. Open Cup
. That year, he also played for the U.S. team which placed third at the World University Games. Houser was inducted into the South Dakota Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007.
selected Houser in the second round (nineteenth overall) of the 1998 MLS College Draft
. He became a regular on the Mutiny's back line but was sidelined in 1999 with an attack of colitis
. He returned in 2000, but played only a handful of games due to a series of injuries. The Mutiny sent him on loan to MLS Pro 40 for three games in 2000. Houser remained with the Mutiny until he and the team agreed to terminate his contract in September 2001 after having his colon removed. In April 2002, he signed with the Connecticut Wolves
of the USL A-League. He scored in the opening game for the Wolves, but by June 2002, he was with the Western Mass Pioneers
.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who played professionally in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. Since retiring from soccer, he has built a career in sales and marketing.
Youth
Born in Pierre, Houser grew up in Sioux Falls, South DakotaSioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...
. When he turned eight, his stepfather was assigned to Germany where Houser began playing soccer. He later returned to Sioux Falls where he graduated from high school. He spent a year working and playing with a local amateur team. His father than paid for him to attended the Vogelsinger Academy where he played well enough to gain an invitation to play for the Vogelsinger team as it toured Belgium. He gained a trial with a local club but his finances did not allow him to stay in Belgium. He returned to South Dakota where he earned enough to return to Belgium but did not gain a contract. However, the coach of the Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University is one of four state universities in Connecticut, and is located in the West Rock neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut...
had seen him play at with the Vogelsinger team and offered him a scholorship. He played soccer for the Owls from 1994 to 1997. In 1995, Houser and his team mates won the NCAA Men's Division II Soccer Championship
NCAA Men's Division II Soccer Championship
The NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship has been played since 1972.The tournament is a 32-team, single-elimination tournament. The Division II tournament is structured around the eight NCAA regions . Four teams from each region are selected with no automatic qualifiers given...
. In 1997, he played for the Bridgeport Italians who went to the second round of the 1997 U.S. Open Cup
1997 U.S. Open Cup
-Semifinals:-----Final:-Top scorers:-See also:* United States Soccer Federation* Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup* Major League Soccer* United Soccer Leagues* USASA* National Premier Soccer League...
. That year, he also played for the U.S. team which placed third at the World University Games. Houser was inducted into the South Dakota Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007.
Professional
In February 1, 1998, the Tampa Bay MutinyTampa Bay Mutiny
The Tampa Bay Mutiny was a charter franchise of Major League Soccer active from 1996 - 2001. They initially played in Tampa Stadium and were immediately successful, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in...
selected Houser in the second round (nineteenth overall) of the 1998 MLS College Draft
1998 MLS College Draft
The 1998 Major League Soccer College Draft was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 31 and February 1, 1998.-Format:On Saturday, January 31, 1997, Major League Soccer held the first round of its 1998 college draft during the halftime of the Umbro Select All-Star Classic at Lockhart Stadium. ...
. He became a regular on the Mutiny's back line but was sidelined in 1999 with an attack of colitis
Colitis
In medicine, colitis refers to an inflammation of the colon and is often used to describe an inflammation of the large intestine .Colitides may be acute and self-limited or chronic, i.e...
. He returned in 2000, but played only a handful of games due to a series of injuries. The Mutiny sent him on loan to MLS Pro 40 for three games in 2000. Houser remained with the Mutiny until he and the team agreed to terminate his contract in September 2001 after having his colon removed. In April 2002, he signed with the Connecticut Wolves
Connecticut Wolves
The Connecticut Wolves were a soccer club that competed in the United Soccer Leagues from 1993 to 2002. Based in New Britain, Connecticut, and playing in Veteran's Stadium, the club started in the D-3 Pro League before moving to the A-League in 1997.-History:...
of the USL A-League. He scored in the opening game for the Wolves, but by June 2002, he was with the Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
.