Matt Kassel

For the NFL quarterback, see Matt Cassel.

Matt Kassel

Personal information
Full name	Matthew Timothy Kassel
Date of birth	(1989-10-30) October 30, 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth	Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, United States
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
2006–2008	New York Red Bulls
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2010	Maryland Terrapins
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010	New York Red Bulls NPSL
2011	New York Red Bulls	2	(0)
2012	Pittsburgh Riverhounds	18	(6)
2013	Philadelphia Union	5	(0)
2014	Arizona United	26	(2)
International career
2007	United States U18	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 11, 2014

Matthew Timothy Kassel (born October 30, 1989) is a retired American soccer player and current color commentator for Bethlehem Steel FC in the USL.

Career

College and amateur

Kassel attended Bridgewater-Raritan High School.^[1] He began his career with New York Red Bulls' youth academy,^[2] and was heavily recruited going into college,^[2][3] being ranked as the ninth best high school recruit in the nation by the magazine ESPN RISE.^[4] After receiving interest from New York Red Bulls Kassel decided to attend the University of Maryland. In his first year at Maryland Kassel helped his side capture the 2008 Division I Men's College Cup.

In January 2009, he declined to sign a contract from New York Red Bulls. Instead, he decided to stay with the University of Maryland soccer team.^[5] In his three years at the University of Maryland Kassell appeared in 68 matches and scored 11 goals and recorded 24 assists. During his time in college he remained with the New York Red Bulls Academy and was a member of the New York Red Bull NPSL squad.

Professional

In January 2011 Kassel signed with New York Red Bulls, becoming the third Home Grown player to join the senior roster.^[6] He made his MLS debut on 28 May 2011, in a 1–1 tie with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.^[7] On June 28, 2011, Kassel started his first match for New York playing the full 90 in a 2–1 victory over FC New York in the US Open Cup.^[8]

Kassel was waived by New York on February 17, 2012.^[9] In his first season with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds after signing with the team in April 2012, he scored 6 goals in 18 games and earned 2nd Team USL PRO All-League honors.^[10]

After spending Spring Training as a trialist, Kassel signed with the Philadelphia Union on March 5, 2013.^[11]

Kassel was released by Philadelphia before the start of their 2014 season and later signed with USL Pro's Arizona United.^[12]

International

Kassel has played for the United States at several youth team levels, including Under 15, Under 18 and Under 20. He played in all three games at the Under 18 Lisbon Tournament in May 2007.^[13] In April 2008, Kassel was called up for the Under 20 team for a week-long training camp in England and three games against Premier League reserve teams.^[14]

Broadcasting

After a four-year professional career, Kassel retired from playing. Since 2016, Kassel has been brought on as the color commentator for the newly formed Bethlehem Steel FC; USL affiliate of his former club, Philadelphia Union.^[15]

Career statistics

Club

As of January 4, 2017^[16]

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
USA			League		Open Cup		League Cup		North America		Total
2011	New York Red Bulls	Major League Soccer	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
2012	Pittsburgh Riverhounds	USL Pro	18	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	6
2013	Philadelphia Union	Major League Soccer	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
2014	Arizona United SC	USL Pro	26	2	2	1	0	0	0	0	28	3
Total	USA		51	8	4	1	0	0	0	0	55	9
Career total			51	8	4	1	0	0	0	0	55	9

Honors

University of Maryland

• NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship (1): 2008

Individual

• USL Pro - 2nd Team All-League (1): 2012^[17]

References

1. Goff, Steven (2008-08-29). "Recruit Kassel Joins the Terps, At Least for Now". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2012-11-09. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
2. Dyer, Kristian (2008-04-30). "Youth product Kassel looks to have bright prospects". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
3. Ziegler, Robert (2008-03-23). "Kassel's development leads to opportunities, decisions". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
4. "Matt Kassel". University of Maryland, College Park. Archived from the original on 2011-09-17. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
5. Lewis, Brian (2009-01-05). "RBNY's Matt Kassel staying at Maryland". New York Post. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
6. "Red Bulls add Kassel as Home Grown player | Major League Soccer". Archived from the original on 2011-01-29.
7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
8. "USOC Recap: Rooney, Hertzog lead Red Bulls over FCNY | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on 2011-07-01.
9. "Red Bulls Waive Sacir Hot, Matt Kassel | New York Red Bulls". Archived from the original on 2012-02-19.
10. "Orlando City dominates All-USL PRO selections". 4 September 2012.
11. Boehm, Charles. "Philadelphia Union add depth with signing of Red Bulls product Matt Kassel". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
12. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
13. "U.S. U-18 Men Fall to Finland in Lisbon Tournament - U.S. Soccer". Archived from the original on 2012-08-19. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
14. "Under-20 Men's National Team Gears Up for Training Camp in Manchester, England - U.S. Soccer". Archived from the original on 2012-04-25.
15. "Bethlehem Steel FC announce announcing team". Brotherly Game. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
16. Matt Kassel at Soccerway
17. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved 2013-01-30.

External links

• Matt Kassel at Major League Soccer
• Maryland bio