Marcus Hahnemann facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Marcus Hahnemann

Hahnemann in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Marcus Stephen Hahnemann
Date of birth	(1972-06-15) June 15, 1972 (age 53)
Place of birth	Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1994–1996	Seattle Sounders	65	(0)
1997–1999	Colorado Rapids	66	(0)
1999–2002	Fulham	2	(0)
2001	→ Rochdale (loan)	5	(0)
2001–2002	→ Reading (loan)	6	(0)
2002–2009	Reading	276	(0)
2009–2011	Wolverhampton Wanderers	40	(0)
2011–2012	Everton	0	(0)
2012–2014	Seattle Sounders FC	4	(0)
Total		464	(0)
National team
1994–2011	United States	9	(0)
Honours Representing  United States Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 2005 Runner-up CONCACAF Gold Cup 2011 Men's Soccer
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Marcus Stephen Hahnemann, born on June 15, 1972, is a famous American former soccer player. He was a goalkeeper, which means he protected the goal.

Marcus started his career playing for the Seattle Sounders from 1994 to 1996. Later, he played for the Colorado Rapids between 1997 and 1999. In 1999, he moved to England to join the club Fulham.

He also played for other English teams like Rochdale and Reading on loan. In 2002, he joined Reading permanently. After playing 276 games for Reading, he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2009.

Marcus Hahnemann also played for the United States national team nine times. He was a backup goalkeeper in two World Cups. He had a very long break between his first few international games and his next one, almost nine years!

Early Life and College Soccer

Marcus Hahnemann grew up in Kent, near Seattle. He went to Kentridge High School. There, he was named the team's most valuable player in his junior year. He then moved to Newport High School for his final year. That year, he stopped opponents from scoring in eleven games. This earned him the title of All-King County goalkeeper.

He played college soccer for the Seattle Pacific University Falcons. This team was very strong in Division II. In 1993, Marcus helped SPU win the NCAA Division II National Championship. During his four years at SPU, he won 64 games and had 46 games where he didn't let any goals in.

Club Career Highlights

Starting with Seattle Sounders

Marcus Hahnemann began his professional career with the Seattle Sounders. He joined the team on May 1, 1994. In his first season, he was named the league's best goalkeeper. He helped the Sounders win the league championship in 1995. In 1996, the Sounders won again, and Marcus had eleven clean sheets.

Playing for Colorado Rapids

In 1997, Marcus joined Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Colorado Rapids. He played his first game on April 20, 1997. He then started the next 23 league games. In his first MLS season, the Rapids reached the MLS Cup final. They lost 2–1 to D.C. United.

In 1998, he played the most games and minutes for a goalkeeper in the club's history. He played 28 games and was named the team's Defender of the Year.

Time with Fulham

After two and a half seasons, Marcus moved to England. He signed with Fulham in June 1999 for £80,000. He didn't play much for Fulham, only four games in total. This was during their promotion season in 2000–01.

When Fulham signed another goalkeeper, Marcus went on loan. He played for Rochdale and then Reading in 2001–02. He played six games for Reading, helping them get promoted. Fulham released him after three years.

Success at Reading

Marcus joined Reading permanently in 2002. He quickly became their main goalkeeper. In his first full season, Reading almost got promoted to the Premier League. They lost in the play-offs.

In the 2005–06 season, Reading won promotion to the top league. They set a record with 106 points. Marcus played almost every game that season. He was named in the Championship Team of the Year.

In his first Premier League season, he had thirteen clean sheets. Reading finished eighth, just missing out on European soccer. He made the most saves in the Premier League in 2007. However, Reading was relegated in their second Premier League season.

He stayed with Reading for one more season. They tried to get back to the top league. But they lost to Burnley in the play-off semi-finals. Reading then announced they would not renew his contract.

Joining Wolves

On June 17, 2009, Marcus signed with Wolverhampton Wanderers, a newly promoted Premier League team. He started as a backup goalkeeper. But after four months, he became the main goalkeeper. He helped the team stay in the Premier League. His great performance even earned him a one-year contract extension.

However, in the 2010–11 season, the team struggled. Marcus was dropped from the team in November. He did not play again that season. His contract ended, and he left the club.

Short Stay at Everton

On September 23, 2011, Marcus signed a short-term deal with Everton. He was released on May 18, 2012. He did not play any first-team games for Everton.

Return to Seattle Sounders FC

On September 14, 2012, Marcus returned to the Sounders. This time, it was the MLS team, Seattle Sounders FC. He was a backup goalkeeper for the team.

He played his first game for Seattle on October 24, 2012. It was a CONCACAF Champions League match. On April 2, 2013, he started a Champions League semifinal game. He was 40 years old, making him one of the oldest players in the competition.

On August 3, 2013, he played his first MLS game for Seattle. He kept a clean sheet in a 3–0 win. This was his first MLS game in over 14 years, a record gap! He played four MLS games in 2013. He became the fourth oldest player in MLS history.

In 2014, Marcus played two games in the U.S. Open Cup. He became the oldest player in that competition's history at 42 years old. On December 8, 2014, he announced his retirement from professional soccer.

International Career

Hahnemann with the United States national team in May 2006

Marcus Hahnemann played his first international game for the United States national team on November 19, 1994. It was a friendly game against Trinidad and Tobago. He played two more games that year.

He did not play for the U.S. team again until June 8, 2003. This was almost nine years later! He played in a friendly win against New Zealand. He was also chosen for the Confederations Cup.

He played two more games in 2005. Then, he was picked for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He was a backup and did not play in any matches. He and his teammate Bobby Convey were the first Reading players to be on a World Cup team.

In 2010, Marcus was again chosen for the 2010 World Cup squad. He was almost 38 years old. He made his ninth and final appearance for the U.S. in 2011.

Personal Life

Hahnemann is a well-known animal lover.

Marcus Hahnemann is a Republican. His wife, Amanda, is a Democrat. He enjoys mountain biking and hunting. He also keeps hens.

Before matches, he likes to listen to heavy metal music to get ready. He even gave the band Five Finger Death Punch a Wolves shirt. Marcus is of German descent; his parents are from Wentorf bei Hamburg.

Even though his eyesight was fine, Marcus wore special contact lenses. These helped reduce the sun's glare while he played. At Reading, he used to give his game jerseys to fans after matches. He also cut his sleeves short because he preferred them that way.

In April 2016, Marcus Hahnemann became a soccer coach. He coached the boys' team at Newport High School. This was his old school in Bellevue, Washington. He coached with his former U.S. national team friend, Kasey Keller.

Honors and Awards

Marcus Hahnemann won several awards and championships during his career:

Seattle Sounders

• League Championship: 1995, 1996

Reading

• Football League Championship: 2005–06

United States

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2005

Individual Awards

• PFA Team of the Year: 2005–06 Football League Championship (This means he was chosen as one of the best players in his league that season.)

See also

In Spanish: Marcus Hahnemann para niños