Soccer Player by Keith Johnston from Pixabay

10 Things You Might Not Know about Eric Wynalda


 

For non-soccer fans, Eric Boswell Wynalda may not be a recognizable or familiar name. However, to soccer fans and followers of the USMNT, Wynalda is a footballing great.

Many new fans who did not get to watch him play recognize him as a football commentator and sports TV program host and analyst on Fox Soccer Channel.

He played professional football from his college years in 1987 to 2008 when he retired. Eric played his final games at Bakersfield Brigade. He went on to become a football or soccer manager from 2010 to 2020 managing several teams including the L.A. Wolves.

He was a renowned forward who set records for the national team. Below are some need-to-know facts about the life of the soccer legend, Eric Wynalda.

1. Scored More Goals Than the Entire Division as A Child

Wynalda was born on June 9th, 1969 in Fullerton, California but grew up in Westlake Village, California. He was interested in football since childhood. This interest was effectively natured by his father, Dave, who was a football coach.

Eric was a member of his father’s team, the Westlake Wolves, and was deployed as a forward. A role he would play all his life. The Wolves won the AYSO soccer state championship. In that winning season, Eric scored more goals than the entire division combined. That is 58 goals in 16 games.

2. Attended San Diego State University

Aztec Stadium located at SDSU by Terrible Tim – Wikipedia

Wynalda attended Westlake High School where he played alongside fellow USMNT great Cobi Jones. He was selected 3 times for the All-State selection while playing for the high school team.

After high school, he joined San Diego State University in 1987. He played for their soccer team, known as the Aztecs until 1989. In this time he scored 34 goals and assisted 25 more over the course of 3 seasons.

3. His First Professional Contract Was with The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF)

United States Soccer Federation headquarters building, known as U.S. Soccer House, 1801 South Prairie Avenue in Chicago by TonyTheTiger – Wikipedia

Before the 1990 FIFA World Cup began, Eric Wynalda signed a contract with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). He was then loaned to the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks immediately after the world cup where he played for 3 seasons.

While a Blackhawks player, Eric only played a few games over 3 years as most of his efforts were directed at the national team. He played a total of 48 games and score 17 goals for the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks.

After his stint with the Blackhawks, the USSF loaned him out again to Germany where he played for 1. FC Saarbrücken.

4. First American-Born Player to Play for A Top-Level German Club

Eric’s loan at the Francisco Bay Blackhawks ended in 1992 and in August of that same year, he joined Bundesliga club 1. FC Saarbrücken (in Germany) on loan. The loan cost the club $45,000.

This move saw him become the first American Born player to play in German’s top league. He played all matches in the first half of the season scoring 8 goals. This impressive form earned him a permanent move to the club and they paid the USSF $405,000 for his signature and services.

5. Relegated Twice in Germany

After signing permanently, the second half of the season was not so good, however. He only scored one more goal and FC Saarbrücken was ultimately relegated to 2. Bundesliga.

Un the following season (1993/94) in 2. Bundesliga, Wynalda scored 14 goals and assisted 25 more. At the end of the season, he was sold to VFL Bochum who won 2. Bundesliga and were promoted to the Bundesliga. He was sold for $850,000.

In his second season in the Bundesliga, he did not score a single goal in the Bundesliga for Bochum who were then relegated. In the subsequent season with Bochum in 2. Bundesliga, he scored just 2 goals as Bochum was promoted again.

6. Returned to The States In 1996

Like most American players at the time who were abroad, Wynalda returned to his home country in 1996. This was to join the newly minted Major League Soccer (MLS). He was allocated to the San Jose Clash.

7. Scored the First Goal of the MLS

Shot on goal by Phillip Kofler from Pixabay

After joining the San Joe Clash, Eric made his debut on April 6th, 1996. This was the first game in MLS history and they faced D.C. United. San Jose won the game 1-0 with Wynalda scoring the sole goal.

This is recognized as the first goal scored in the MLS era. At the end of the season, he was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year.

8. Anticlimactic End to His Career

From 1999 to 2002 (4 years), Wynalda played for a total of 6 clubs. These include; Club Leon in Mexico, Miami Fusion, New England Revolution, Chicago Fire, and Charleston Battery where he retired.

The reason behind so many transfers was his recurring injuries. He tried to sign for L.A. Galaxy where he claimed he would end his career but the move fell through. This is when Charleston Battery signed him.

However, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a pre-season match. After the injury, Eric Wynalda opted to end his playing career right then.

9. He Has Coached Several Clubs

Eric Wynalda while coaching for Atlanta Silverbacks on July 14, 2012, by Eric.Jason.Cross – Wikimedia Commons

In 2012, Wynalda got his first coaching job joining Cal Fc. He then went on to coach several other teams such as the Atlanta Silverbacks, and Las Vegas Lights FC.

In July 2020, he officially joined New Amsterdam FC as a coach. However, in a shocking turn of events, he would step down after 2 preseason matches and just 5 days before the season began. He cited personal reasons as the reason for stepping down.

10. Retired as The USMNT’s Top Scorer

Wynalda is a USMNT legend in every sense of the word. He was part of the 1991 US squad that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He played a total of 106 games for his country, scoring 34 goals in the process and assisting more.

At the end of his career with the USMNT in 2000, Eric was his country’s top scorer. He held the record until 2008 when Landon Donovan broke it in a friendly against Sweden.