Eric Leonard Explained

Eric Leonard
Birth Date:5 October 1995
Birth Place:Palatine, Illinois, United States
Height:1.75m (05.74feet)
Position:Defender
Youthyears1:–2014
Youthclubs1:Chicago Sockers
Collegeyears1:2014–2017
College1:Butler Bulldogs
Collegecaps1:73
Collegegoals1:6
Years1:2017
Clubs1:OKC Energy U23
Caps1:13
Goals1:1
Years2:2018
Clubs2:Nerang Eagles
Years3:2019–2022
Clubs3:Forward Madison
Caps3:100
Goals3:1
Years4:2023
Clubs4:Chicago Fire II
Caps4:15
Goals4:1
Pcupdate:November 5, 2023

Eric Leonard (born October 5, 1995) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender.

Career

Youth and college career

In addition to playing for William Fremd High School, Leonard also served as the captain for the Sockers FC Chicago development academy.[1] In 2014, he joined Butler University, making 73 appearances and scoring 6 goals for the Bulldogs during his four seasons. He was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team in his freshman year, and twice was included in the division's All-Tournament Team in 2016 and 2017. He also served as the team's captain in his senior year.[2] [3]

OKC Energy U23

Leonard joined the OKC Energy U23 team of the PDL in 2017. He made 13 regular season appearances, scoring one goal, along with one appearance in the play-offs.[4]

Nerang Eagles

In 2018, Leonard joined Australian club Nerang Eagles in the Gold Coast Premier League. At the end of the season, he won the Gold Coast Premier League Players' Player of the Year award.[5]

Forward Madison FC

In December 2018, Forward Madison FC announced the signing of Leonard for the team's inaugural season in 2019.[6] [7] [8] He made his league debut for the club on April 13, 2019, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute for Josiel Núñez in a 1–0 away defeat to North Texas SC.[9]

Leonard is Forward Madison's all-time appearance leader, with 99 appearances across all competitive competitions.

Chicago Fire FC II

On December 13, 2022, Leonard was transferred from Forward Madison FC to the Chicago Fire FC organization. Details of the transfer were not disclosed.[10] It was later reported that Leonard would start with Chicago Fire FC II of MLS Next Pro.[11] [12]

Personal life

Leonard was born in Palatine, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Leonard loves opportunity to join Butler soccer program . April 3, 2014.
  2. Web site: Eric Leonard - 2016 - Butler University.
  3. Web site: Eric Leonard | Club Soccer | College Soccer | College Soccer Recruiting | Elite Soccer Shop.
  4. Web site: OKC Energy U23 - 2017 Regular Season - Roster - #13 - Eric Leonard - M.
  5. Web site: Gala Awards Night | Senior Eagles Celebrate Superb 2018 Season . October 17, 2018.
  6. Web site: Forward Madison FC signs Midwest natives Leonard and Bement . December 18, 2018 . April 5, 2019 . April 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190421133202/https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/news_article/show/978443 . dead .
  7. Web site: USL signings: Hartford Athletic adds three players . December 20, 2018 . April 5, 2019 . April 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190413223840/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/usl/usl-transactions-signings-hartford-athletic-leagueone-championship/ . dead .
  8. Web site: Brian Bement Signs with USL Division One's Forward Madison FC.
  9. Web site: North Texas vs. Forward Madison – 13 April 2019 – Soccerway . int.soccerway.com . 20 April 2019.
  10. Web site: Eric Leonard Signs With Chicago Fire FC Organization . Warwick . Evan . December 13, 2022 . ForwardMadisonFC.com . . December 13, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213175645/https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/news/2022/12/13/eric-leonard-signs-with-chicago-fire-fc-organization/ . December 13, 2022.
  11. Web site: FMFC veteran Eric Leonard joins Chicago Fire FC organization . Jones . Kyle . December 13, 2022 . Channel3000.com . . December 14, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221214134226/https://www.channel3000.com/fmfc-veteran-eric-leonard-joins-chicago-fire-fc-organization/ . December 14, 2022.
  12. Web site: Chicago Fire FC II Signs Defender Eric Leonard . ChicagoFireFC.com . . 18 January 2023.