Dan Stratford

Daniel James Stratford (born 29 May 1985) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder and current head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers men's soccer team. He returned to his alma mater after three seasons as assistant coach and three seasons as head coach of the University of Charleston Golden Eagles and leading his team to the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship in 2017 and 2019.[2]

Dan Stratford
Personal information
Full name Daniel James Stratford[1]
Date of birth (1985-05-29) 29 May 1985
Place of birth London, England
Position(s) Midfielder / Right back
Team information
Current team
 West Virginia Mountaineers (Head coach)
Youth career
2001–2003 Fulham
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 West Virginia Mountaineers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007 Cape Cod Crusaders 16 (4)
2008 D.C. United 5 (0)
2009–2010 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 14 (1)
2010–2011 Hereford United 7 (0)
Total 42 (5)
Managerial career
2011–2013 West Virginia Mountaineers (asst.)
2013–2016 Charleston Golden Eagles (asst.)
2017–2019 Charleston Golden Eagles
2020– West Virginia Mountaineers
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:49, 5 February 2017 (UTC)

During his playing career he played professionally for D.C. United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hereford United.

Career

Born in London, Stratford began his career playing for the youth academy at Fulham in England, eventually graduating to their reserve side. He then played in the NCAA Division I for college side West Virginia University. He attended Wilson's School until 2003.

At West Virginia he would finish his career as the all-time leader in assists (27) and most matches played (85).[3] During his college career Stratford also played for the Cape Cod Crusaders in the USL Premier Development League.

He was drafted by D.C. United with the 24th overall pick in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft on 24 January 2008. He made his debut as a sub against the Kansas City Wizards on 29 March 2008 in D.C.'s season opener and got his first start on 26 April 2008 in a 4–1 victory over Real Salt Lake.[4]

Stratford was waived by D.C. United on 15 August 2008. He joined Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle, following a successful trial on 23 July 2009. Stratford was released by Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 6 May 2010.

Following a successful trial period he signed a one-year deal at Hereford United on 16 July. He left at the end of the season after finding first team opportunities rare.

Stratford was appointed as men's team coach for the University of Charleston in January 2017. He had been on the coaching staff for two years following a two-year spell as assistant at West Virginia.[5]

References
  1. "Dan Stratford". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  2. "Stratford returns to Morgantown to lead the WVU men's soccer program". wvmetronews.com. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  3. "D.C. United signs MF Dan Stratford". Major League Soccer. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  4. Boehm, Charles. "United exacts revenge on RSL". mlsnet.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  5. Carvelli, Michael. "University of Charleston promotes Dan Stratford to head men's soccer coach". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
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