American former soccer player (born 1981)
Kevin Friedland (born October 3, 1981) is an American former soccer player, who played as a defender.[1] In high school, he was The Los Angeles Times Orange County boys’ soccer player of the year. Playing for Southern Methodist University, he was a second-team All American. Professionally, he played for the Minnesota Thunder, NSC Minnesota Stars, and Minnesota United FC. Friedland was part of the US squad which won the silver medal at the 2005 Maccabiah Games in Israel.
Career
Youth and college
Friedland attended and played soccer at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, California.[4] He was The Los Angeles Times Orange County boys’ soccer player of the year.[4]
Friedland played club soccer for local club Strikers FC. He attended Southern Methodist University, where he was a second-team All American in soccer in 2002.[5]
Professional
Friedland was drafted in the sixth round (53rd overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by Kansas City Wizards. However, he never played a league game for the team and was waived on November 25, 2003.
In 2004, he signed with the Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division. On April 2, 2008, he signed a one-year contract, with a two-year option, with the Thunder.[6]
On March 4, 2010, Friedland was signed as a player/assistant coach for the newly formed club NSC Minnesota Stars. He was a player/assistant coach for Minnesota United FC.[3] In November 2013, he announced his retirement.[3] Friedland made over 160 appearances, and won the 2011 NASL Soccer Bowl.[3] At the time, at 10 years he was Minnesota's second-longest active professional athlete with a Minnesota team, trailing only Kevin Williams (Minnesota Vikings).[3]
International
Friedland was part of the US squad which won the silver medal at the 2005 Maccabiah Games in Israel.[7][8]
He also played for Team USA with Kyle Altman, winning the gold medal at the 2007 Pan American Maccabi Games in Argentina.[3]
