Brandon McDonald (soccer)

Brandon McDonald (born January 16, 1986 in Glendale, Arizona) is an American Guamanian soccer player who currently plays for South East Asian side Hà Nội F.C., a professional association football club currently part of the top division of V.League.

Brandon McDonald
McDonald with the Earthquakes in September 2010
Personal information
Date of birth (1986-01-16) January 16, 1986
Place of birth Glendale, Arizona, United States
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Hanoi FC
Number 14
Youth career
2004–2007 San Francisco Dons
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006 San Francisco Seals 5 (0)
2007 San Jose Frogs 10 (1)
2008 LA Galaxy 16 (1)
2009–2011 San Jose Earthquakes 58 (3)
2011–2013 D.C. United 63 (3)
2013 Real Salt Lake 3 (0)
2014 Ljungskile SK 4 (0)
2015–2016 Chainat Hornbill 8 (0)
2016–2017 Rovers
2017 Penang FA 8 (0)
2019– Hà Nội 4 (0)
National team‡
2016– Guam 10 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of January 21, 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of January 21, 2020

Club career

Amateur and college

McDonald was an NSCAA High School All-American while playing for Cactus High School and participated in the annual High School All-America game. In addition, he was in the USA National under-17 pool. Before moving to the University of San Francisco in 2004 McDonald played for the Sereno Golden Eagles youth club with Michael Gavin, Rob Valentino and current teammate Robbie Findley. McDonald played over 50 games for the Dons, finishing second on the team in scoring in his freshman year. He also shared the Stephen Negoesco Award for achievement by an underclassmen in 2004.

During his college years McDonald also played with both the San Francisco Seals and the San Jose Frogs of the USL Premier Development League.

Professional Club Career

Los Angeles

McDonald was the 46th overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy, and made his MLS debut as a substitute in Galaxy's first match of the 2008 season against Colorado Rapids on March 29, 2008. He scored his first MLS goal on October 12, 2008, a 35-yard strike, also against Colorado. The then-rookie shared a locker room with David Beckham and Landon Donovan while taking instruction from Bruce Arena.

San Jose Earthquakes

After a season in Carson, McDonald moved to San Jose, where the Earthquakes finally gave him the chance to play on a regular basis. McDonald made the most of the opportunity, starting 28 matches in 2010 as the Northern California side advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite the team's success, improved depth along San Jose's back line made playing time difficult to come by in 2011 and - in need of cap space - the 'Quakes began looking to make a deal involving the talented back. He was waived by the Galaxy in February 2009 and signed with the San Jose Earthquakes on March 20, 2009.[1]

D.C. United

On June 27, 2011, McDonald was traded to D.C. United from San Jose in exchange for allocation money.[2] He signed a contract extension with D.C. on August 23, 2011.[3] Terms of the new contract were undisclosed.

Real Salt Lake

McDonald was traded to Real Salt Lake on July 17, 2013 in exchange for a third-round 2014 MLS SuperDraft pick and a conditional pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.[4] He started three games for the team before being included in RSL's re-entry draft list but was not picked up in the draft.[5]

Ljungskile SK, Chainat Hornbill F.C, Rovers FC (Guam)

In 2014, McDonald signed for Ljungskile SK. In July 2015, he joined Chainat Hornbill for the second half of the 2015 Thai Premier League season.[6] Before moving to Rovers FC (Guam) to play for them a season in 2016.

Penang FA

In June 2017, McDonald signed for Penang FA, a club in the top division of Malaysian football, the Malaysia Super League. He made his debut against Four time MSL Champions, Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C..

Hanoi F.C.

Early in the Vietnamese V.League 1 2019 season, McDonald signed for Hanoi FC.

International career

On December 22, 2009, McDonald received his first call up to train with the senior US national team. In July 2014 McDonald was initially called up for the Guam National Team EAFF Cup training camp but due to schedule conflicts he was unable to attend. McDonald has Guam roots on his father's side.

International goals
Score and Result lists Guam's goals first
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetitionReference
116 June 2015Guam National Football Stadium, Hagatna, Guam India2–12–1FIFA World Cup Qualification[7]

Personal life

His sister Jessica McDonald is also a professional soccer player.[8]

References
  1. San Jose Earthquakes Media Relations, Quakes sign midfielder Brandon McDonald, retrieved 2009-03-20
  2. D.C. United.com, D.C. United acquires defender Brandon McDonald, archived from the original on 2011-06-29, retrieved 2011-06-27
  3. http://www.dcunited.com/press-release/2011/08/brandon-mcdonald-signs-new-contract%5B%5D
  4. "RSL signs DCU center back Brandon McDonald".
  5. "4 RSL player options declined, all eligible for MLS Re-Entry Draft - KSL.com".
  6. Noveanto, Eric (9 July 2015). "Guam star McDonald joins Thai club Chainat Hornbill". Football Channel Asia. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  7. "FIFA".
  8. "Jessica McDonald interview: Soul beneath the step – Deeper than the dance for Dash forward". 7 October 2015.
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