Alecko Eskandarian facts for kids
Eskandarian in 2009
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alecko Eskandarian | ||
| Date of birth | July 9, 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Montvale, New Jersey, U.S. | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2002 | Virginia Cavaliers | 60 | (50) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2006 | D.C. United | 81 | (20) |
| 2007 | Toronto FC | 6 | (1) |
| 2007 | Real Salt Lake | 17 | (1) |
| 2008–2009 | Chivas USA | 18 | (6) |
| 2009–2010 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 3 | (2) |
| Total | 125 | (30) | |
| International career | |||
| 1999 | United States U17 | ||
| 2000–2001 | United States U20 | ||
| 2002–2003 | United States U23 | ||
| 2003 | United States | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2012 | Philadelphia Union (assistant) | ||
| 2013 | New York Cosmos (assistant) | ||
| 2015–2016 | New York Cosmos B | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Alecko Eskandarian, born on July 9, 1982, is a retired American soccer player. He played as a forward. His dad, Andranik Eskandarian, was also a famous soccer player from Iran. Alecko later became a coach for teams like New York Cosmos B.
Contents
Playing Career Highlights
High School and College Soccer
Alecko Eskandarian was a star player in high school. While at Bergen Catholic High School, he won the 1999-2000 Gatorade National High School Athlete of the Year Award. He led New Jersey in scoring during his senior year. He scored 66 goals and made 15 assists in 25 games. He finished his high school career with 154 goals. This was the most in Bergen County history.
Before becoming a professional, Alecko played college soccer at the University of Virginia. He played for three years. He was named the best college soccer player in 2002. He won the Hermann Trophy that year. He set a school record by scoring 25 goals in one season. He finished his college career with 50 goals in 60 games. He was a three-time All-American. He was also named ACC Rookie of the Year in 2000. In 2002, he was the ACC Player of the Year. After his playing career, Alecko returned to the university in 2010. He finished his degree and became an assistant coach for the team.
Professional Soccer Journey
Alecko Eskandarian started his professional career with D.C. United. They picked him first overall in the 2003 MLS Superdraft. In his first season, he scored three goals. In 2004, he played much more. He led D.C. United in scoring with ten goals. He also scored four more goals in the playoffs. D.C. United won the 2004 MLS Cup championship. Alecko was named the MLS Cup MVP. He scored two goals in the first half, just four minutes apart. This was the fastest pair of goals in MLS Cup history. He was also chosen for the MLS All-Star team.
In 2005, Alecko's season ended early because of a concussion. He missed most of 2005. He returned strong in 2006. He scored seven goals and made two assists for D.C. United. He was again named an MLS All-Star. On August 9, 2006, he scored D.C. United's only goal. This was in a 1–1 tie with Real Madrid.
Alecko was traded to Toronto FC in December 2006. Then, in May 2007, he was traded to Real Salt Lake. Between these two teams, he played 23 games. He scored two goals and had three assists.
In January 2008, Chivas USA got Alecko from Real Salt Lake. He missed part of the season due to surgery. But he came back strong later in the year. He scored five goals and had two assists in just eight starts. He even scored against his three previous teams. These were Real Salt Lake, Toronto, and D.C. United.
Alecko was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 1, 2009. He scored in his very first game for the Galaxy. This goal helped Los Angeles win 1–0 against New England. He scored again in a 3–1 win against New York. However, he got injured in July 2009. The ball hit him in the face during a game. This caused a concussion and a broken nose. Due to this injury, he was sidelined indefinitely in March 2010.
International Play
Alecko Eskandarian played one game for the United States national team. This was against Wales on May 26, 2003. He also played for the U-17, U-20, and U-23 national teams. He was the top scorer in the 2004 Olympic Qualifying tournament. He scored four goals. However, the U.S. team did not qualify for the 2004 Olympics.
Coaching Career
On February 1, 2013, Alecko Eskandarian became an assistant coach for the New York Cosmos. This was the same club his father played for. He helped the Cosmos have a great 2013 season. They did not lose any games at home. They won the 2013 North American Soccer League Fall Season title. The Cosmos then won the NASL Soccer Bowl. They beat the Atlanta Silverbacks 1–0. This was the club's sixth title.
Eskandarian later became the head coach for Cosmos B. This is the reserve team for the New York Cosmos. He led Cosmos B to win the National Premier Soccer League title on August 8, 2015. They beat Chattanooga FC 3–2 in overtime. This game was played in front of 18,227 fans. This was the largest crowd ever for an amateur soccer match in the United States. Eskandarian finished his first season as head coach with an undefeated record. Cosmos B had a 15–0–1 record in the 2015 NPSL season.
After five years of coaching, Eskandarian started working in the front office. He joined the Major League Soccer headquarters in New York City.
Personal Life
Alecko is of Armenian-Iranian background. His father, Andranik Eskandarian, was a professional soccer player. He played for the New York Cosmos and the Iranian national team.
Alecko also appeared on an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. He went on a blind date with Kim Kardashian.
Awards and Achievements
As a Player
- Major League Soccer MLS Cup Champion (1) 2004
- Major League Soccer MLS Cup MVP (1) 2004
- Major League Soccer MLS All-Star (2) 2004, 2006
- Major League Soccer Supporter's Shield (1) 2006
As a Head Coach
- National Premier Soccer League Champion (1) 2015
As an Assistant Coach
- North American Soccer League Soccer Bowl Champion (3) 2013, 2015, 2016
See also
In Spanish: Alecko Eskandarian para niños
