Steven Beitashour

Steven Beitashour

Beitashour with the Iranian national team in 2014
Personal information
Full name Steven Mehrdad Beitashour
Date of birth (1987-02-01) February 1, 1987
Place of birth San Jose, California, United States
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position Right-back
Club information
Current team
 Toronto FC
Number 33
Youth career
2005–2009 San Diego State Aztecs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 San Jose Frogs 9 (2)
2010–2013 San Jose Earthquakes 87 (2)
2014–2015 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 56 (0)
2016– Toronto FC 29 (0)
National team‡
2013–2014 Iran 6 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 23, 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of May 30, 2014

Steven Mehrdad Beitashour[1] (/ˈbeɪtʌʃɜːr/ BAYT-u-shur;[2] Persian: مهرداد بیت‌آشور‎‎; Persian pronunciation: [mehɾdɒːd-e beit-ɒːʃuːɾ], born February 1, 1987) is an Iranian-American footballer who plays for Toronto FC and the Iranian national team as a defender, having previously been called up to the United States national team.

Background

Steven Beitashour was born to Edward and Pari Beitashour in San Jose, California.[3][4] He has an older brother, Tony, and two sisters, Tina and Stephanie.[2][4] His parents are both from Iran and moved to the United States in the 1960s.[4][5][6] His father, an electrical engineer, played soccer for San Francisco State University before working for Apple.[2][7] Beitashour is of Christian Assyrian descent from his father's side and his mother is a Persian Muslim, enjoying support from both communities in the United States.[6] He has Iranian-American dual citizenship,[5][8] and is married to his wife named Karlie.[9]

Club career

College and amateur

Beitashour graduated from Leland High School in 2005 where his number 3 jersey was later retired, becoming only the second Leland athlete after Pat Tillman to have a jersey retired.[4][10][11] Steven was the captain of his high school's varsity team and was their leading goalscorer his junior and senior years in the number 10 role.[4] He was a four-year letter-winner and was a two-time offensive player of the year before being a divisional first-team selection.[12] In his graduating year at Leland, Beitashour received the inaugural Pat Tillman Award, given to a Bay Area student for outstanding achievements in both athletics and academics.[4]

He went on to play four years of college soccer at San Diego State University after receiving a scholarship, redshirting his freshman season.[2][3] He majored in communication with a minor in biology at San Diego State University, choosing it over several schools including San Jose State University, University of California, Santa Cruz and Notre Dame de Namur University.[3][4][7] Coach Lev Kirshner moved Beitashour to the right-back position in order to utilize his quick speed and one-on-one defending abilities.[4] In his senior year at State, Steven earned an all-Pac-10 honorable mention.[4][13] During his late college years, Beitashour also played for the San Jose Frogs in the USL Premier Development League.[14][15] He graduated from San Diego State in December 2009.[4]

Professional

San Jose Earthquakes

Steven Beitashour playing for San Jose Earthquakes

Beitashour was drafted in the second round (30th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the San Jose Earthquakes, the local team that he supported as a young ball boy, becoming the second Iranian (after Khodadad Azizi) to play for the Earthquakes.[4][16] He made his professional debut on April 10, 2010 in a 2–1 win against the Chicago Fire,[17] and scored his first professional goal on April 24, 2010 against Chivas USA.[4][18] Beitashour was selected for the 2012 MLS All-Star Game and played the full 90 minutes against Chelsea in the 3–2 win.[19] The Earthquakes won the 2012 MLS Supporters' Shield with Beitashour starting in all 33 of his regular season appearances and leading the league with 110 crosses that season.[4] Following the Supporters' Shield title, Beitashour featured for the Earthquakes in the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League.[20] He provided 16 assists in his last 3 years with the Earthquakes, more than any other MLS defender during the same time period.[4][21]

Steven is arguably the best right back in the league. He is fantastic on the defensive side of the ball and his ability to join the attack will make him a great addition to our club.

“
”

—Whitecaps FC manager Carl Robinson on Beitashour, January 27, 2014.[22]

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Steven Beitashour for Vancouver Whitecaps

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC acquired Beitashour for an undisclosed amount on January 27, 2014.[22][23] On March 8, Beitashour played his first match for the Whitecaps in their season opener against the New York Red Bulls, providing a secondary assist to Kenny Miller in their 4–1 win.[24] Beitashour was named in the MLS team of the week after his performance against the LA Galaxy on April 19.[25] On April 26, he provided a game-tying assist to Sebastián Fernández in the last minute of the match against Real Salt Lake.[26] Beitashour was nominated for the 2014 MLS All-Star Game against Bayern Munich.[27] On September 27, he provided a game-winning assist to Pedro Morales in a 2–1 win against Real Salt Lake.[28] On October 10, the Whitecaps won the 2014 Cascadia Cup with a 1–0 win at the Seattle Sounders.[29] The Whitecaps also qualified for the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League as the best Canadian team of the regular season.[30]

He’s just a great guy to have in the locker room. He’s always positive, he’s always smiling, and he’s always a guy that you want to go to battle with and fight for.

“
”

—Whitecaps FC captain Jay DeMerit on Beitashour, June 2, 2014.[4]

Prior to the start of the 2015 MLS season, Beitashour was the Whitecaps' players union representative.[31] On March 14, 2015 in the second game of the Whitecaps' 2015 season, Beitashour provided an assist to Octavio Rivero during the 86th minute in a 1–0 win over the Chicago Fire.[32] On July 29, 2015, Beitashour and his Whitecaps teammates attended a charity event for children in Nanaimo.[33] On August 26, 2015, the Whitecaps won the 2015 Canadian Championship to qualify for the 2016–17 CONCACAF Champions League.[34]

Toronto FC

Beitashour was traded to Toronto FC during the 2015–16 off-season for TFC's second round selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.[35] He made his debut for Toronto FC in a 2–0 win over the New York Red Bulls on March 6, 2016.[36]

Statistics

College career
Season Team League League
Apps Goals Assists
2005 San Diego State Aztecs Pacific-10 Conference Redshirt
2006 1802
2007 1803
2008 400
2009 1703
Career Total[3] 5708
Senior career
Season Club League League MLS Cup Playoffs Cup
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
2007[14] San Jose Frogs USL PDL 723—
2008[15] 200
USL PDL Total 923
2010 San Jose Earthquakes MLS 8100001[lower-alpha 1]00
2011 1907—2[lower-alpha 1]00
2012 33062003[lower-alpha 1]00
2013 2613—0[lower-alpha 1]00
2014 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 27020000[lower-alpha 2]00
MLS Total 107218200600
Career Total 122421200600

Statistics accurate as of match played August 18, 2014[37]

  1. 1 2 3 4 Appearances in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
  2. ↑ Appearances in Canadian Championship

International career

Eligibility

Beitashour playing for Iran in a friendly match against Angola, May 30, 2014

Since Beitashour has Iranian Citizenship through Jus sanguinis principles, he is eligible to play for Iran.[5] Beitashour was born in the United States and is an American citizen; he thus had the choice of either playing for Iran or the United States.[8]

When asked about his choice in a 2012 interview, he stated:[8]

"I think it's a great position to be in to have two options, to say the least... I've just got to keep playing well here [for the San Jose Earthquakes]. I think that's the main thing, and good things will come from that."

Iran national team coach Carlos Queiroz began to recruit eligible players from the Iranian diaspora to reinforce the squad.[38] In June 2012, it was reported that Queiroz was interested in inviting Beitashour.[5]

U.S. call-up

Beitashour was called up for an international friendly by the United States national football team against Mexico on August 15, 2012;[39] however, he was an unused substitute.[40][4]

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann later explained about his "surprise callup":[41]

"Steven has built his case over the last couple of months and talking with Frank Yallop [Beitashour's coach at Earthquakes] and getting his information was the most important step... We are pleased to bring him in. He will be welcomed here and he’ll see it is a very positive and comfortable environment where he can settle in with no problems. We are curious to see him in the couple training sessions that we have. It’s not much because we have two and a half days to prepare for a game, but obviously I’d love to see him over a longer period of time. It will be curious to get his first impression."

Iran

On October 5, 2013, Beitashour was called up to the Iran national football team by Carlos Queiroz to be part of the preliminary 27-man squad for a 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification match against Thailand. It was initially unclear whether Beitashour would accept the invitation.[42] Two days later, it was confirmed that Beitashour had accepted the call-up and would join the squad in time for the match on October 15.[43] He made his debut in Iran's 2–1 win over Thailand, coming on as a sub for Mahini in the 76th minute.[44] His first assist came to Gucci against Thailand in the away leg on November 15, helping to seal their place in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.[45] On June 1, 2014, Beitashour was named to Iran's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad.[46] He was an unused substitute in all three matches and was not called into Iran's squad for the 2015 Asian Cup.

Honours

Vancouver Whitecaps
Toronto

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Iran names World Cup squad | ProSoccerTalk". Prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com. June 1, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Born in the U.S., Playing for Iran". The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "3 Steve Beitashour". San Diego State Aztecs. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Brazil bound: A comprehensive look at Steven Beitashour's journey to the 2014 FIFA World Cup". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. June 2, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "دغدغه های کارلوس کروش برای دعوت از ستاره ایرانی MLS / نگران از بازتاب های سیاسی استیون بیت آشور" (in Persian). Khabar Online. July 21, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  6. 1 2 Marissa Silver (August 24, 2011). "Q&A: Getting to know Steven Beitashour; Beitashour sits down with SJEarthquakes.com to discuss the local scene, his heritage and more". San Jose Earthquakes. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Whitecaps' Beitashour back from Iran, and set to stay in the moment". The Province. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 Matt Schwab (August 12, 2012). "San Jose Earthquakes: Chris Wondolowski and Steven Beitashour tapped to play on U.S. national team vs. Mexico". Mercury News. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Weber: Honeymoon's over for Whitecap Beitashour". www.theprovince.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Beitashour jersey retired". PFDC. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Whitecaps' Beitashour proud of U.S., Persian heritage, poised to play for Iran at World Cup". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Steven Beitashour". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  13. ↑ "SDSU's Nick Cardenas Named a First-Team All-Pac-10 Selection". San Diego State University. November 17, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  14. 1 2 "San Jose Frogs Premier Development League 2007". USL Premier Development League. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  15. 1 2 "San Jose Frogs Premier Development League 2008". USL Premier Development League. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  16. ↑ 2010 MLS SuperDraft Archived January 17, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  17. ↑ Determined performance gives San Jose a 2–1 win over Chicago
  18. ↑ Chivas hold off Quakes 3–2 for much-needed win Archived April 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ↑ "MLS All-Star Team 3–2 Chelsea". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Earthquakes 1-0 Heredia". Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Getting to know the new 'Caps". Whitecapsfc.com. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  22. 1 2 "Whitecaps FC acquire right back Steven Beitashour from San Jose in exchange for allocation money | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Steven Beitashour | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. New York Red Bulls Recap". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  25. ↑ "MLS Team of the Week: Clint Dempsey not slowing down". Goal.com. April 21, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC | MLS MatchCenter". Matchcenter.mlssoccer.com. April 26, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  27. ↑ Soccerly - soccerly. "MLS Reveals All-Star Fan XI that will face Bayern Munich". Soccerly. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Vancouver Whitecaps 2, Real Salt Lake 1 - MLS Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  29. ↑ Mendola, Nicholas (October 10, 2014). "Seattle 0-1 Vancouver: Cascadia Cup stays put, Caps in playoff control". MLS on NBC. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Vancouver Whitecaps FC clinch entry into the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League". whitecapsfc.com. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Whitecaps defender Steven Beitashour hoping MLS season starts Saturday - Goal.com". Goal.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Chicago Fire 0, Vancouver Whitecaps 1 - MLS Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Whitecaps make visit to Nanaimo for a cause". nanaimodailynews.com. July 30, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  34. 1 2 3 "Vancouver Whitecaps FC celebrate long-awaited Canadian Championship title - Goal.com". Goal.com. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Toronto FC Acquires Steven Beitashour". Toronto FC.
  36. ↑ http://www.torontofc.ca/post/2016/03/06/match-recap-tfc-2-nyrb-0
  37. ↑ Steven Beitashour profile at Soccerway. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Queiroz seeks overseas reinforcement". FIFA.com. May 30, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  39. ↑ "Klinsmann Names U.S. MNT 22-Player Travel Roster for Aug. 15 Friendly Against Mexico". Ussoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  40. ↑ "U.S. Men's National Team Earns Historic First Victory On Mexico's Home Soil". United States Soccer Federation. August 15, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  41. ↑ Jimmy LaRoue (August 13, 2012). "U.S. men's national team coach Klinsmann explains choice to go with younger players for Mexico friendly". potomacsoccerwire.com. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  42. ↑ "MLS". Mlssoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  43. ↑ "San Jose Earthquakes' Steven Beitashour accepts call-up to Iranian national team for Asian Cup qual". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  44. ↑ "Int'l Roundup: Alvaro Saborio scores in Costa Rica win, Honduras through to World Cup". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Match: Thailand v Iran - AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers". ESPN FC. November 15, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Queiroz trims Iran squad to 24". FIFA.com. June 1, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
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