Jeff Agoos

(1968- )

Agoos, one of the top current American players, plays for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. During the 2003 season, Agoos and his teammates were first in the Western Division with a record of four wins, two draws, and one loss. A key member of the U.S. National team for more than a decade, Agoos has 133 caps (international appearances) for the U.S. National Team — the second most in team history — and 123 starts (first all-time) through July, 2002. Agoos also partcipated in the Maccabiah Games for the U.S. in 1985 and 1989.

Jeff was a member of the U.S. team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he played every minute of every game (see career highlights), and was also a member of the 2002 World Cup team. A starting central defender for the U.S. National team, Agoos injured his calf in the U.S.'s third game of the tournament (against Poland) and was declared out of the rest of the 2002 World Cup competition. Even so, the U.S. squad shocked the soccer world by advancing to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, where they lost to Germany.

Agoos turned professional following a stellar collegiate soccer career at the University of Virginia, where he was a four-time All-American and twice finished second in the balloting for the Hermann Trophy. He played with SV Wehen in Germany and the Dallas Sidekicks of the CISL (Continental Indoor Soccer League) before joining (Washington) D.C. United in Major League Soccer. Jeff's impact on the team was immediate; he helped lead United to three straight MLS Cup finals, winning two of them. In 2000, Agoos started in all 23 games in which he appeared for United, scoring one goal, with three assists.

Prior to the 2001 season, Jeff was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes, one of the worst teams in the league. With Agoos's leadership in the back and 19-year old Landon Donovan in attack, the Earthquakes surprised many to finish second in the Western Division with a 13-7-6 record. They then rolled through the playoffs and defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy in the final to capture the MLS Cup. Agoos led the Earthquakes' stingy defense (they allowed a league-low 29 goals in 26 games), and received the most All-Star votes of any MLS player (34,711 — almost 8,000 more than the second place finisher). He appeared in his sixth MLS All-Star Game, and was also named Defender of the Year in MLS and was a finalist for league MVP. During the 2002 season, the Earthquakes finished second in the Western Conference with a record of 14-11-3. In the first round of the playoffs, San Jose was eliminated by Colorado.

Agoos has also been an important player on the U.S. National team. Jeff started with the program in 1985, and appeared with the U.S. under-15, under-17, under-20, world university, and indoor national teams. He made his international debut with the U.S. national team in January 1988 versus Guatemala. Since then, Agoos has appeared in 133 international games. Jeff was a member of the 1998 World Cup team, as well as of the bronze medal squad at the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup. Agoos also played every minute for the U.S. at the 2000 Olympics. The U.S. finished a surprising fourth, losing to Chile in the bronze medal game.