Erik Imler

Erik Bradley Imler (born June 1, 1971 in Silver Spring, Maryland) is a former soccer defender from the United States.[1] He won national championships while playing at the University of Virginia before becoming part of the US team that competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Erik Imler
Personal information
Full name Erik Bradley Imler
Date of birth (1971-06-01) June 1, 1971
Place of birth Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position(s) Midfielder / Defender
Youth career
1989–1992 Virginia Cavaliers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994 Delaware Wizards 4 (0)
1995 Raleigh Flyers 23 (6)
1996 D.C. United 19 (0)
1997 Worcester Wildfire
1997 New England Revolution 15 (0)
1998–1999 Charleston Battery 1 (0)
1999 Lehigh Valley Steam 24 (0)
National team
U.S. U-17
U.S. U-20
1992 U.S. U-23
1993 United States 1 (0)
Teams managed
1993 Virginia Cavaliers (assistant)
1998–1999 The Citadel Bulldogs (assistant)
2008 Belmont Abbey College
2010 U.S. U-17 (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Youth and college

Imler grew up in Maryland, attending Bowie High School in Bowie, Maryland. In 1989, his senior year, he was named a Parade Magazine high school All-American soccer player.[2] After high school, he attended the University of Virginia where he played as a defender and defensive midfielder on the men's soccer team from 1989 to 1992. During his four season at Virginia, the Cavaliers took the NCAA title twice (1991 and 1992) and were co-champions once (1989). In 1992, he was the team captain as a senior. Imler was a two-time second-team All-American. While at Virginia, he majored in sports medicine. In 2000, SoccerAmerica magazine named Imler to its College Team of the Century.

Professional

In 1994, Imler played for the Delaware Wizards of USISL. In 1995, he moved to the Raleigh Flyers. In February 1996, D.C. United of Major League Soccer (MLS) drafted Imler in the third round (30th overall) in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft. He spent the 1996 season in central defense with United, playing in nineteen games as the team took both the 1996 MLS Cup and 1996 U.S. Open Cup titles. United released Imler in 1997 and he signed with the Worcester Wildfire of USISL. At the same time, he pursued a return to MLS and had a two-week try out with the New England Revolution. On May 7, 1997, the Revs signed Imler as a Discovery Player after impressing the coaches during his trial. The Revs waived Imler on November 10, 1997. In 1998, he signed with the Charleston Battery, but tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a pre-season game which led to his losing the entire 1998 season.[3] In 1999, Imler played one game, twelve minutes total, for the Charleston Battery.[1] The Battery then released him and he finished the season, and his career, with the Lehigh Valley Steam.

National and Olympic teams

Imler was a member of the U.S. team at the 1987 U-16 World Cup in Canada. He then went on to play with the U.S. U-20 national team, but was not a member of the team at any cups. In 1991, Imler was part of the U.S. gold winning soccer team at the Pan American Games.

He then continued to play for the U-23 national team leading up to the 1992 Summer Olympics. Imler started all six games as the U.S. qualified for the tournament. He was then named to the U.S. soccer team for the games. At the Olympics, the U.S. went 1-1-1 and did not qualify for the second round.

On March 23, 1993, Imler earned his only caps with the U.S. national team in a 2-2 tie with El Salvador. However, in the 43d minute, he tore ligaments in his right knee during the game and was replaced by Yari Allnutt who scored a goal. Imler never appeared again for the senior national team.

Coach

Since retiring from playing professionally, Imler has held several positions as a youth soccer coach. He was a Director of Coaching and team coach with Charlotte Soccer Academy in North Carolina.[4] In May 2008, Imler became the head coach of the Belmont Abbey College women's soccer coach.[5] He took the team to a 17-3-3 record in his only season as head coach. He resigned on July 8, 2009.[6] In September 2010, Imler became an assistant coach with the United States men's national under-17 soccer.

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References
  1. Player register Archived 2007-04-04 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Battery Plagued by Injuries Archived 2002-09-19 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Erik Imler Named Women's Soccer Coach at Belmont Abbey College Archived 2012-07-11 at Archive.today
  6. Abbey women's soccer coach steps down
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