Kupono Low Explained

Kupono Low
Birth Date:27 December 1978
Birth Place:Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Position:Midfielder
Collegeyears1:1999–2002
College1:Fresno State Bulldogs
Years1:2000
Clubs1:Central Coast Roadrunners
Years2:2003
Clubs2:California Gold
Caps2:12
Goals2:1
Years3:2004
Clubs3:Syracuse Salty Dogs
Caps3:22
Goals3:0
Years4:2005
Clubs4:Sligo Rovers
Caps4:23
Goals4:3
Years5:2006
Clubs5:Virginia Beach Mariners
Caps5:27
Goals5:0
Years6:2007–2016
Clubs6:Carolina RailHawks
Caps6:245
Goals6:18
Nationalyears1:2008
Nationalteam1:Puerto Rico
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:1
Club-Update:March 7, 2014
Nationalteam-Update:May 2, 2009

Kupono Low (born December 27, 1978) is an American former soccer player.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Career

College and amateur

Low attended Irvington High School in Fremont, California, and played college soccer at California State University, Fresno from 1999 to 2002, where he was selected for the Pac-10 Men's Soccer All-Conference First Team in 2002.[5]

In 2000, also played with the Central Coast Roadrunners in the USL Premier Development League.

Professional

Low began his professional career with the California Gold in the third division USL Pro Select League in 2003.[6] He moved to the Syracuse Salty Dogs of the USL A-League in 2004, before signing with Irish side Sligo Rovers, whom he helped win promotion to the Premier Division. He was also a firm fan favorite at Rovers, and in recognition of his performance with the team he was named to eleven-a-side.com's Eircom FAI First Division Team of the Year for 2005.[7]

In the spring of 2005, Low returned to the United States and joined the Virginia Beach Mariners. He played two seasons with the Mariners, but after the team suspended operations in 2007, Low signed with the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division, scoring the first goal in the team's history in their inaugural game. He finished the season as a second team USL-1 All Star and the team's MVP.

While still playing for Carolina, the California Cougars of Major Indoor Soccer League drafted Low in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2007 MISL Supplemental Draft; he subsequently played in four games for the Cougars in 2007–2008, during the USL off-season.

Low has remained a mainstay in Carolina since signing in 2007. Since then Low has earned All NASL Best 11 Team of the Year in 2011 and Defender of the year in 2012.[8]

International

Despite being born in Hawaii, Low was called up to and made his debut for the Puerto Rico national football team in January 2008, in a friendly match against Bermuda. Low scored his first international goal against Trinidad and Tobago in January 2008 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Low earned his three caps before the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol modified its eligibility requirement. All U.S. citizens used to be eligible for Puerto Rico national teams, but now the player pool is restricted to players who have lived on the island for at least two years, meaning that Low is no longer eligible for the Puerto Rico national team per federation rules.[9]

International goals

Scores and results list Puerto Rico's goal tally first.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kupono Low: Mr. Railhawk. waltermagazine.com.
  2. Web site: Kupono takes it all in his stride. independent.ie.
  3. Web site: Low para selección de fútbol. primerahora.com.
  4. Web site: Kupono Low - Newspaper articles.
  5. Web site: United Soccer Leagues profile . Uslsoccer.com . March 31, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140111032124/http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/4068269/22397-4068271/56744.html . January 11, 2014 . dead .
  6. Web site: 2003 California Gold . Pdl.uslsoccer.com . March 31, 2013.
  7. Web site: Champions dominate First Division selection. Article on eleven-a-side. September 6, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061029073713/http://www.elevenaside.com/viewpoint/first_team_of_the_year.asp. October 29, 2006. dead.
  8. Web site: Kupono Low Returns for Sixth Season with RailHawks | North American Soccer League . Nasl.com . March 31, 2013.
  9. Web site: Carolina RailHawks profile . Carolinarailhawks.com . March 31, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110708122426/http://carolinarailhawks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=628&Itemid=271 . July 8, 2011 . dead .