Jimmy Conrad was widely regarded as one of the best defenders in all of Major League Soccer for his 13 years as a professional before retiring in August, 2011. His honors included being named captain of the U.S. Men's National Team on multiple occasions, playing in the 2006 World Cup, being named MLS Defender of the Year (2005) and MLS Humanitarian of the Year (2009), and garnering five selections to the MLS All-Star team. In lieu of his retirement, which you can read about here, Jimmy has become an analyst on the Fox Soccer Channel, a host of his own radio show, Jimmy Conrad's American Soccer Spectacular, and General Manager of Chivas USA's youth academy for the foreseeable future. He also would like to note that he is most handsome person he knows.
MLS EXPERIENCE
2009: Named team and MLS Humanitarian of the Year. Started all 24 games in which he appeared, missing time due to his inclusion in the USA squad at the 2009 Gold Cup.
2008: Team captain and MVP. Started and played every minute of regular season and playoffs. One of only six players to play every minute of regular season. Led all MLS defenders with 6 goals scored. Named to his fifth MLS All-Star and fourth MLS Best XI teams. Defender of the Year award finalist.
2007: Named to MLS All-Star team and selected team Defender of the Year. Played in 25 games, all starts, missing time to U.S. National Team duty and a second broken jaw.
2006: Named to MLS Best XI and MLS All-Star teams and was finalist for MLS Defender of the Year, despite playing only 15 games due to the 2006 World Cup and a broken jaw.
2005: Named to MLS Best XI and MLS All-Star teams and was named MLS Defender of the Year.
2004: Named to MLS Best XI and MLS All-Star teams. Helped lead Wizards to MLS Cup Final and played every minute of the team's postseason run. Wizards' Defender of the Year and a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year.
2003: Traded to Kansas City on draft day. Set career highs in games played, games started, minutes played and goals in his first season with KC.
2002: Appeared in 25 games, all starts, scoring 1 goal and adding 3 assists for San Jose.
2001: Missed first 6 games due to broken foot suffered in preseason, but went on to help lead San Jose to MLS Cup Title. Played in 18 regular-season games and played every minute of San Jose's playoff run.
2000: Had a breakout year, starting 25 of his 26 appearances. Was the only San Jose defender to start all 9 of the team's shutouts. MLS and the Galaxy allowed him to delay yellow-card suspension from May 27 game at Rose Bowl to August 30 game at LA, so he could play in front of stepfather, who was dying of cancer.
1999: Made MLS debut at Kansas City as a member of the San Jose Earthquakes and went on to play in 17 games while recording 1 goal and 1 assist.
NATIONAL TEAM:
Became regular member of the U.S. squad in 2005 during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. Went on to make World Cup roster and played in 2 games, appearing as a sub in a 1-1 tie against Italy and starting and playing all 90 minutes of the game against Ghana. Scored first international goal in 2-0 win over Mexico on February 7, 2007. Included in coach Bob Bradley’s squad for the 2009 Gold Cup, where he helped the U.S. to a runner-up finish.
COLLEGE
Spent 2 seasons at both San Diego State and UCLA, winning a national championship in 1997 with the Bruins. At UCLA, Conrad was coached by Sigi Schmid, the 2008 MLS Coach of the Year.
YOUTH
Attended Temple City High School in California and was a 4-year letterman in soccer. Played youth soccer for the Santa Anita Stallions and Chino Spirit in Southern California.
PERSONAL
Married wife Lyndsey in June 2002. Had their first child, Julia, in April 2007. Majored in math at UCLA. Has two younger sisters and four younger brothers. Has written for SportsIllustrated.com and ESPN.com for the last 9 years and hosted a radio show for Major League Soccer and the Kansas City Wizards for the last 3 years, which has morphed into The Jimmy Conrad Podcast on iTunes. For additional Jimmy Conrad information and blogs, photos, videos, podcasts, merchandise and more, check out his new website www.jimmyconrad.com.
