Calen Carr facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Calen Carr

Carr with Houston Dynamo
Personal information
Date of birth	(1982-10-04) October 4, 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth	Oakland, California, United States
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Forward, winger
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2005	California Golden Bears	78	(22)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004–2005	Orange County Blue Star	18	(12)
2006–2011	Chicago Fire	82	(9)
2011–2013	Houston Dynamo	35	(5)
Total		135	(26)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Calen Carr (born October 4, 1982) is an American former professional soccer player. He played in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the Chicago Fire and Houston Dynamo. Calen played as a forward and winger. Today, he works for MLS as a match analyst for MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. He also hosts shows on the league's website.

Calen Carr's Soccer Journey

Early Life and College Soccer

Calen Carr was born in Oakland, California. He grew up in Berkeley. He went to The Branson School until 2001. There, he was named the team's best offensive player three times. During these years, Calen also trained at the Zico Academy in Brazil.

Calen played college soccer at the University of California, Berkeley. He scored 22 goals and made 15 assists in 75 games. In 2003, he took a year off from playing due to an injury. This is called being "redshirted" in college sports.

While at Berkeley, Calen was a top player. He was named to the All-Pac-10 First Team three times. In 2005, he was named an All-American and the Pac-10 Player of the Year. In 2019, Calen was honored by being added to the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame. He also played for Orange County Blue Star for two seasons. In 2005, he trained with the famous Arsenal team in England.

Playing for Chicago Fire

The Chicago Fire picked Calen in the first round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. He played his first game for the Fire on April 1, 2006. He scored his first professional goal on June 11, 2006. This goal came in a game against the New England Revolution.

In his first season, Calen helped the Fire win the 2006 U.S. Open Cup. He scored three goals and had one assist in that tournament. In 2007, he continued to play well, scoring 3 goals and making 2 assists. He helped the Fire reach the playoffs that year.

In 2008, Calen scored two goals early in the season. However, on July 8, he suffered a serious injury. He tore his right ACL, which is a major knee ligament. This injury meant he missed the rest of the 2008 season.

Calen returned to play in July 2009 after his recovery. He played in 10 games that year, all as a substitute. In 2010, he signed a new contract with the Fire. He missed the first four months of the season due to another injury. When he returned, he scored winning goals in two games. He finished the 2010 season with 3 goals in 14 games.

Time with Houston Dynamo

On March 23, 2011, Calen was traded to the Houston Dynamo. He made his debut for Houston on August 17, 2011. From this point on, he often wore a protective helmet during games. He scored his first goal for the Dynamo on September 14, 2011.

Calen played a big part in the Dynamo's playoff run in 2011. He scored a goal in their first playoff game. He helped Houston reach MLS Cup 2011, the league championship game. The Dynamo lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy in that final.

Calen Carr lies injured during MLS Cup 2012.

Before the 2012 season, Calen had knee surgery. He returned to play and had a strong season. He scored four goals and made two assists in 27 games. He also scored in his first CONCACAF Champions League match.

In the 2012 playoffs, Calen continued to shine. He had assists in two playoff games. He helped the Dynamo reach MLS Cup 2012 for the second year in a row. In the final, Calen scored a goal to give Houston the lead. However, he suffered another serious injury, tearing his left ACL. The Dynamo lost the game 3-1.

Due to his injury, Calen did not play any first-team games in 2013. He retired from professional soccer after the 2013 season.

Life After Playing Soccer

Since 2016, Calen Carr has worked as a host for MLS. He hosts different shows on the league's website and YouTube channel. These include "The Movement" documentary series and the "Extratime" podcast.

Personal Life

Calen Carr's mother, Claudia Carr, was a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He traveled a lot with her when he was younger. His mother is from Indianapolis, Indiana. His father is Aboriginal Australian from Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Calen also started a clothing company called Future Collective with two friends.

Career Statistics

Awards and Honors

Chicago Fire

• U.S. Open Cup: 2006

Houston Dynamo

• MLS Eastern Conference: 2011, 2012

Individual

• Pac-10 Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Year: 2005