Danny Califf

Danny Califf in the jersey of Philadelphia Union ( 2010)

Daniel Benjamin Califf ( born March 17, 1980 in Montclair, California) is an American football player.

Career

Youth and College

Califf played in the youth of the Canyon Classic Team at Canyon Hills Soccer Association. The team was coached by his father.

From 1998 to 2000 he played at the University of Maryland for the Maryland Terrapins. In his first year as a freshman, he stood in all 24 games on the square. As a sophomore, he played 20 times for the selection team.

Professional

After his sophomore year of college, he signed a Project -40 contract with Major League Soccer and was selected in 2000 SuperDraft by Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS. The Galaxies Califf managed the immediate jump into the starting eleven. In his first year he played 18 times for the team. Over the next three years, Danny Califf has established itself as one of the best defensive players in the league. With Los Angeles Galaxy, he won the 2001 U.S. Open Cup and the 2002 MLS Cup. He had by his style of play a large part in both successes. In 2004, he was injured and could only stand 10 times for Californians on the court.

At the start of the 2005 season, he moved for a transfer fee to the San Jose Earthquakes. He returned to his old form and has been for the MLS Best XI for the 2005 season nominated. At the end of the season he moved again.

From 2006 to 2008 Califf played for the Danish first division club Aalborg BK. From the beginning he was a regular here. After the 2006/2007 season Califf was captain of the team and led them to championships in Denmark. But at the end of the 2007/2008 season, players and club could not agree on a new contract. He then moved to FC Midtjylland.

On 3 December 2009 Philadelphia Union announced that they have received the MLS rights to Califf. But he will play the 2010 season for the MLS franchise. Even before his first game at Union, he was appointed captain of the team. This office he had to leave before the start of the 2011 season. His first goal he scored in the first round of the Major League Soccer in 2011.

National

Califf played from the U-17 national team for each of the United States. He took part in the 1997 FIFA U -17 World Championship and 1999 he was in the squad for the Junior World Cup. In 2000 he was part of the selection team for the Olympics.

His first cap for the national team of the United States, he completed on 19 January 2002 against South Korea. In the next few years he was in the squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments in 2002 and 2003 and for the Confederations Cup in 2003.

In the final group match during the 2007 Copa América, he was captain of the team.