Blake Wagner Explained

Blake Wagner
Fullname:Blake Wagner
Birth Date:29 January 1988
Birth Place:Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Position:Defender, Midfielder
Youthyears1:2003–2005
Youthclubs1:IMG Soccer Academy
Years1:2006–2009
Clubs1:FC Dallas
Caps1:37
Goals1:0
Years2:2010
Clubs2:Vancouver Whitecaps
Caps2:19
Goals2:4
Years3:2011
Clubs3:Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Caps3:9
Goals3:0
Years4:2011
Clubs4:Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 (loan)
Caps4:2
Goals4:0
Years5:2011
Clubs5:Real Salt Lake
Caps5:2
Goals5:0
Years6:2012–2013
Clubs6:San Antonio Scorpions
Caps6:45
Goals6:3
Years7:2014
Clubs7:Tampa Bay Rowdies
Caps7:21
Goals7:3
Years8:2015
Clubs8:Carolina RailHawks
Caps8:22
Goals8:2
Nationalyears1:2003–2005
Nationalteam1:United States U17
Nationalcaps1:24
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2006–2007
Nationalteam2:United States U20
Nationalcaps2:9
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2008
Nationalteam3:United States U23
Nationalcaps3:3
Nationalgoals3:0
Manageryears1:2017
Managerclubs1:Tampa Bay Rowdies U23 (assistant)
Manageryears2:2021–
Managerclubs2:Tampa Bay United (assistant)
Pcupdate:April 13, 2016
Ntupdate:July 18, 2012

Blake Wagner (born January 29, 1988) is an American soccer coach and former player who currently is the assistant coach of USL League Two side, Tampa Bay United SC.

Career

Youth

Wagner was identified by U.S. Soccer (U.S. National Team) when he was 13 through their national Olympic Development Program (ODP). He joined the U-14 National Team and was then recruited to their U-15 residency program at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he lived and trained. Through U.S. Soccer, he completed high school a year early at the Edison Academy. Wagner travelled globally with the team and was a starter with the U-17 National team when they played in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship.[1]

Wagner at first committed to playing college soccer at the University of Maryland, College Park, but instead chose to join the Generation Adidas program so that he could play professional soccer.

Professional

Wagner was drafted in the second round, 18th overall, of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. Wagner made his first appearance with FCD's first team on July 19, 2006, as a substitute in a 2-0 friendly match win against UANL Tigres. It would be his only appearance with the first team during his rookie season. In 2007, Blake made his MLS career debut on September 30, 2007, starting in a 0–3 loss against Houston Dynamo. He would make 12 appearances with the team during the 2007 MLS Season. The 2008 MLS Season was a breakout year for the third-year defender. Blake started in 23 of 24 games played and appeared in four of FC Dallas' six international friendlies.

On February 2, 2010 Vancouver Whitecaps announced the signing of Wagner after he did not re-sign with Dallas.[2] He played his first match with the second division side on July 14, 2010, and played as a left wing midfielder and netted a hat trick in a 3–1 win over Miami FC.[3]

After a successful 2011 preseason trial, Wagner signed with the Major League Soccer version of Vancouver Whitecaps FC on March 11, 2011.[4] The Whitecaps released Wagner on July 28, 2011.[5]

On August 16, 2011, Wagner was signed by Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake.[6] At season's end, the club declined his 2012 contract option and he entered the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Wagner was not selected in the draft and became a free agent.

Wagner signed with NASL club San Antonio Scorpions in March, 2012.[7]

Managerial career

In 2017 he became an assistant coach with Tampa Bay's U23 team.[8] Currently a staff coach with Tampa Bay United.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Whitecaps Add Blake Wagner . OurSports Central . February 2, 2010 . April 2, 2012.
  2. http://www.whitecapsfc.com/archive/feature02021002.aspx Whitecaps add Blake Wagner
  3. http://www.whitecapsfc.com/men/schedule/2010_07_14_v_Miami_FC.aspx Wagner nets hat trick
  4. Web site: Wagner signs with MLS side . Whitecapsfc.com . March 11, 2011 . April 2, 2012.
  5. Web site: Whitecaps FC waive defenders Mouloud Akloul and Blake Wagner | Vancouver Whitecaps FC . Whitecapsfc.com . July 28, 2011 . April 2, 2012.
  6. Web site: Randy Davis . RSL feel they've filled a need with signing of Wagner . MLSsoccer.com . August 16, 2011 . April 2, 2012.
  7. Web site: Constantineau . Bruce . Salgado focuses on cracking lineup . Vancouversun.com . March 20, 2012 . April 2, 2012.
  8. Web site: 20 Years: FC Dallas Homegrown Players. October 27, 2017. April 6, 2018.