Christopher Sullivan (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Sullivan is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder/forward and current soccer trainer and sports broadcaster.
. He was a second team Division II All American in 1986 and a first team All American in 1987.http://www.nscaa.com/awards-detail.php?it=II&yr=1987
and Le Touquet. In 1989, he was back in the U.S. with the Orlando Lions
of the American Soccer League
.http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/1989/statsasl89.htm#Orlando He then returned to Europe, signing with Hungary club Raba ETO
before moving to Swedish club Landskrona BoIS
, Danish club Brøndby IF
and German club Hertha BSC. He also spent time with Mexican lower division club Yucatan
. In 1995, he played for the San Francisco Bay Diablos
in the USISL. During this time, he twice left active playing for family reasons. On February 1, 1997, Major League Soccer
allocated Sullivan to the San Jose Clash. He played the 1997 season with the Clash. On November 6, 1997, MLS held an Expansion Draft
. The Clash did not protect Sullivan, but neither Chicago nor Miami selected him. Despite this, the Clash traded Sullivan to the Miami Fusion
for the third round draft pick in two weeks later.http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/examiner/archive/1997/11/14/SPORTS15028.dtl He elected to retire rather than join the Fusion. However, he continued to play in the San Francisco Soccer Football League, including club El Farolito in 2003.http://www.sfsfl.com/season/2003/Y2003te.html#FAR
debut while still in college. In 1987, he came on for Brian Bliss
in a Presidents Cup
game against Egypt in South Korea
. He was a member of the 1990 FIFA World Cup
U.S. team. In 1992, he played his last game for the U.S. national team in a 1-0 loss to Brazil
.
's now defunct MLS Wrap. He is a color commentator on Fox Soccer Channel's
broadcasts of MLS and United States men's national soccer team
games. Sullivan also coached the Alpine Ole girls U-17 team in 2005 and 2006. He also covered the 2010 World Cup and continues to call numerous MLS and other high profile games.
Youth and college
Sullivan began playing soccer at a young age. When he was four he began playing with West Valley S.C. He attended and played soccer at NCAA Division II powerhouse University of TampaUniversity of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
. He was a second team Division II All American in 1986 and a first team All American in 1987.http://www.nscaa.com/awards-detail.php?it=II&yr=1987
Professional career
His professional career spanned two continents and seven countries. He began his career in France with lower division clubs Joué-Lès-ToursJoué-lès-Tours
Joué-lès-Tours is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.It is the largest suburb of the city of Tours, and is adjacent to it on the southwest....
and Le Touquet. In 1989, he was back in the U.S. with the Orlando Lions
Orlando Lions
The Orlando Lions was an American soccer team from Orlando, Florida which existed from 1985 to 1996. Over the years, the Lions competed at both the amateur and professional levels including some seasons as an independent team....
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
.http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/1989/statsasl89.htm#Orlando He then returned to Europe, signing with Hungary club Raba ETO
Gyori ETO FC
Győri ETO FC , Győri Egyetértés Torna Osztály Football Club or just Győr, is a Hungarian sports club from Győr, a mid-size town in the north-west of the country. In 1904 the club was founded as Győri Vagongyár ETO and has undergone many name changes since...
before moving to Swedish club Landskrona BoIS
Landskrona BoIS
Landskrona BoIS is a Swedish professional football club located in Landskrona, which currently plays in the second highest Swedish division, Superettan. The club, formed on 7 February 1915 was a merger of two clubs from the city of Landskrona; IFK Landskrona and Diana...
, Danish club Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
and German club Hertha BSC. He also spent time with Mexican lower division club Yucatan
Yucatán
Yucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida....
. In 1995, he played for the San Francisco Bay Diablos
San Francisco Bay Diablos
San Francisco Bay Diablos were an American soccer team that played in San Francisco, California as a member of the USISL from 1993 to 1995.-History:...
in the USISL. During this time, he twice left active playing for family reasons. On February 1, 1997, 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...
allocated Sullivan to the San Jose Clash. He played the 1997 season with the Clash. On November 6, 1997, MLS held an Expansion Draft
1997 MLS Expansion Draft
The 1997 MLS Expansion Draft was held November 6, 1997. Two teams participated, the Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion F.C., both expansion Major League Soccer clubs planned for the 1998 season.-Format:...
. The Clash did not protect Sullivan, but neither Chicago nor Miami selected him. Despite this, the Clash traded Sullivan to the Miami Fusion
Miami Fusion
Miami Fusion F.C. was a professional soccer club located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that participated in Major League Soccer from 1998 to 2001. The club played in Lockhart Stadium, which was a former high school stadium converted into a soccer-specific stadium...
for the third round draft pick in two weeks later.http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/examiner/archive/1997/11/14/SPORTS15028.dtl He elected to retire rather than join the Fusion. However, he continued to play in the San Francisco Soccer Football League, including club El Farolito in 2003.http://www.sfsfl.com/season/2003/Y2003te.html#FAR
National team
He made his US national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
debut while still in college. In 1987, he came on for Brian Bliss
Brian Bliss
Brian Boyer Bliss is a retired American soccer defender and former coach of the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer. He played professionally in Europe and the United States including the original Major Indoor Soccer League, American Soccer League, American Professional Soccer League and...
in a Presidents Cup
Presidents Cup
The Presidents Cup is a series of men's golf matches between a team representing the United States and an International Team representing the rest of the world less Europe. Europe competes against the U.S. in a similar but considerably older event, the Ryder Cup. The Presidents Cup is held biennially...
game against Egypt in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. He was a member of the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
U.S. team. In 1992, he played his last game for the U.S. national team in a 1-0 loss to Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
.
Post-playing career
Since retiring from playing, Sullivan has become a professional soccer trainer with Elite. He was also a sideline reporter for Fox Sports Bay Area for two years and spent time working on Fox Soccer ChannelFox Soccer Channel
Fox Soccer is an American television specialty channel, owned by News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group, that specializes in soccer. It formerly broadcast rugby and Australian rules football, but is now dedicated strictly to soccer...
's now defunct MLS Wrap. He is a color commentator on Fox Soccer Channel's
Fox Soccer Channel
Fox Soccer is an American television specialty channel, owned by News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group, that specializes in soccer. It formerly broadcast rugby and Australian rules football, but is now dedicated strictly to soccer...
broadcasts of MLS and United States men's national soccer team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
games. Sullivan also coached the Alpine Ole girls U-17 team in 2005 and 2006. He also covered the 2010 World Cup and continues to call numerous MLS and other high profile games.
External links
FussballDaten statistics- Sullivan interviewed on the Fighting Talker podcast: http://fightingtalker.com/2008/11/06/ed-talks-to-fscs-christopher-sullivan-on-the-fighting-talker-podcast/