Hunter Freeman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Personal information
Hunter Freeman
Full name	Hunter Freeman
Date of birth	January 8, 1985 (1985-01-08) (age 23)
Place of birth	Tyler, Texas, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing position	Defender-midfielder
Club information
Current club	Red Bull New York
Number	3
Youth clubs
2002-04	University of Virginia
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2003 2005-06 2007–	Texas Spurs Colorado Rapids Red Bull New York	09 (1) 47 (0) 21 (1)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 June 2008. * Appearances (Goals)

Hunter Freeman (born January 8, 1985 in Tyler, Texas) is an American soccer defender who currently plays for Red Bull New York of Major League Soccer.

As a teenager, Freeman trained in residency at the United States Soccer Federation's Bradenton Academy with the United States Under-17 national team. Upon graduating, he attended the University of Virginia, where he played college soccer from 2002 to 2004. Freeman led the nation in his junior season with 21 assists, and was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference. He also played with the Texas Spurs in the USL Premier Development League.

Following the 2004 season, Freeman signed a Generation adidas contract with MLS, and was subsequently selected seventh overall in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft by the Rapids. He would go on to appear in 47 league matches, including 38 starts for the Colorado based club during his two years at the club.

In 2007, Freeman was traded to New York for a 2008 3rd round SuperDraft pick and a 2007 4th round Supplemental draft pick. Freeman scored his first MLS goal in a 1-0 win over FC Dallas on April 26, 2007. After a promising start to his Red Bull career, Freeman was forced to the sidelines due to injury and his form suffered. He eventually lost his starting role, but by the end of the season he regained his form and contributed to the teams playoff run. During the 2007 regular season Freeman appeared in 16 games, including 15 starts, scoring one goal and assisting on another. He also started and played the full 90 minutes in the clubs two playoff games.

Freeman has played for various youth United States national teams, and was part of the Under-20 team at the 2005 World Youth Championship. He was recently called to the U.S Under-23 national team in preparation of the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Under-23 Championship. The eight-team tournament will send two finalists to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.