Michael Ritch
Encyclopedia
Michael Ritch is an American soccer striker
, who last played for the Columbus Crew
of Major League Soccer
.
Ritch played college soccer
at Auburn University Montgomery
in the NAIA
from 1999 to 2002, where he helped lead the team to four straight conference championships. Ritch was named a second-team All-American in 2001, and as a senior, after scoring 29 goals with 15 assists in 23 games, he was named a first team All-American. Ritch finished his career at the school with 64 goals and 48 assists.
In December 2002, Ritch was selected as the #1 overall pick in the 2003 A-League
College Draft by the Syracuse Salty Dogs
. Upon graduating from college, Ritch was drafted 37th overall in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft
by the Columbus Crew
, and signed a two year contract with the club. He only played 21 minutes over three games as a rookie, however in his second year, Ritch appeared in 12 games (4 as a starter) and finished the year with one goal and one assist. In 2003, the Crew sent Ritch on loan to the Salty Dogs for three games.
Michael Ritch is currently the Director of Coaching at CSC (Cajun Soccer Club) in Lafayette, LA
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, who last played for the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
of 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...
.
Ritch played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at Auburn University Montgomery
Auburn University Montgomery
Auburn University at Montgomery is a coeducational public university located in Montgomery, Alabama, USA. It is governed by the Auburn University Board of Trustees, but is not a branch campus of Auburn University. It was established by an act of the Alabama Legislature in 1967...
in the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
from 1999 to 2002, where he helped lead the team to four straight conference championships. Ritch was named a second-team All-American in 2001, and as a senior, after scoring 29 goals with 15 assists in 23 games, he was named a first team All-American. Ritch finished his career at the school with 64 goals and 48 assists.
In December 2002, Ritch was selected as the #1 overall pick in the 2003 A-League
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
College Draft by the Syracuse Salty Dogs
Syracuse Salty Dogs
The Syracuse Salty Dogs were a professional men's soccer team based in Syracuse, New York. The club were a member of the USL A-League, playing only two seasons from 2003-2004. The club was owned and operated by the Syracuse Pro Sports Group and played most home games at P&C Stadium...
. Upon graduating from college, Ritch was drafted 37th overall in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft
2003 MLS SuperDraft
The 2003 Major League Soccer SuperDraft was held January 17, 2003 in Kansas City, Missouri.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:References=* USA Today MLS Draft List...
by the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
, and signed a two year contract with the club. He only played 21 minutes over three games as a rookie, however in his second year, Ritch appeared in 12 games (4 as a starter) and finished the year with one goal and one assist. In 2003, the Crew sent Ritch on loan to the Salty Dogs for three games.
Michael Ritch is currently the Director of Coaching at CSC (Cajun Soccer Club) in Lafayette, LA