Brek Shea
Shea with the United States in 2013
Personal information
Full name Dane Brekken Shea[1]
Date of birth (1990-02-28) February 28, 1990
Place of birth College Station, Texas, U.S.
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Position(s) Left midfielder, Left-back
Youth career
2005 Texans SC
2005–2007 IMG Soccer Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2012 FC Dallas 98 (19)
2013–2014 Stoke City 3 (0)
2014 → Barnsley (loan) 8 (0)
2014 → Birmingham City (loan) 6 (0)
2015–2016 Orlando City 46 (3)
2017–2018 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 53 (7)
2019 Atlanta United 19 (0)
2020–2022 Inter Miami 47 (6)
2022 Inter Miami II 1 (0)
Total 281 (35)
International career‡
2005–2007 United States U17 24 (18)
2007–2009 United States U20 24 (17)
2012 United States U23 3 (0)
2010–2015 United States 34 (4)
Medal record
Representing  United States
WinnerCONCACAF Gold Cup2013
Runner-upCONCACAF U-20 Championship2009
Men's Soccer
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 5, 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 14, 2015

Dane Brekken "Brek" Shea (born February 28, 1990) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a left midfielder or left-back.

Shea began his career with Major League Soccer team FC Dallas after playing in the IMG Academy. He made his debut during the 2008 season and helped Dallas reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2010 and 2011. In January 2013, Shea joined English Premier League side Stoke City for a fee of £2.5 million. Shea failed to make an impact at Stoke and after spending time on loan at Barnsley and Birmingham City he joined Orlando City in December 2014. Shea was traded to Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2017. Shea was signed by Atlanta United FC as a free agent for the 2019 season.

Early career

While in school in Texas, Shea won four consecutive state championships playing for the Texans SC youth soccer organization in Houston, Texas. He attended U.S. Soccer's youth residency program, and later went to train with Bolton Wanderers in England in October 2007.[2][3]

Club career

FC Dallas

Brek Shea playing for FC Dallas

Shea did not play college soccer and instead turned professional straight out of high school. He was drafted 2nd overall by FC Dallas in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and he signed a Generation Adidas contract. He made his MLS debut for Dallas on April 20, 2008, as a substitute against Chivas USA in the 86th minute. Brek appeared in five of the team's six international friendlies and made eight starts with the reserve team before he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on September 19, 2008. Shea earned his first professional start on May 23, 2009 in a match versus the Los Angeles Galaxy. Shea spent his first two seasons with the club playing as a utility man, including spells as a striker, a central midfielder and as a defender. He eventually settled in at left winger during the 2010 MLS season. Shea scored his first professional goal on May 15 against the Philadelphia Union.

During the 2010 Season, Shea finished seventh on the team in minutes played (1,797) and made a career high 25 regular season appearances, ending the season with five goals and four assists, as well as having 2 assists in four playoff games. Shea graduated from the MLS Generation Adidas program at the end of the 2010 season.[4] After playing left midfield during a Generation Adidas trip to Spain, Shea started the 2011 season at center-back, with manager Schellas Hyndman saying he found Shea's talents better used there.[5]

During a match against the Vancouver Whitecaps David Ferreira came down with an injury and much of his scoring role was passed onto Shea. Coach Schellas Hyndman soon started playing Shea midfield, and he blossomed into a top player of the 2011 MLS season. Shea was named to the MLS Team of Week 11, 14, and 16 in the 2011 MLS season for his performances against Seattle Sounders, Houston Dynamo, Chivas USA, and Columbus Crew.[6] Following Ferreira's injury he led FC Dallas to 10 wins (the first team in the 2011 MLS season to do so) led the club in goals, and as a result he was named to the MLS All-Star Game as a midfielder. As part of the events surrounding the All-Star Game, Shea and New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on July 22.[7] However, Shea was unable to play in the game due to a CONCACAF Champions League match. During a match against Sporting Kansas City Brek Shea helped Dallas rally back from 2–0 down to win 3–2, with two crosses in the final two minutes, to Maicon Santos and Bobby Warshaw respectively. Following the end of the 2011 MLS campaign, where Shea was an MVP nominee.[8] On November 10, 2011, it was announced that Shea would spend a month of his offseason training under manager Arsène Wenger at Arsenal.[9][10]

Shea would have a disappointing follow up to his successful 2011 campaign, only netting three goals in the 2012 FC Dallas season mired by injury problems. It was announced in November 2012 that Shea would be out an estimated three months following surgery for the removal of a bone in his right foot.[11] In January 2013 Shea joined English side Stoke City on a week-long trial.[12] However, he failed to arrive in England after negotiations between MLS and Stoke broke down.[13] On January 28, MLS accepted an improved offer from Stoke.[14]

Stoke City

Shea joined English Premier League club Stoke City on January 31, 2013 for a fee of £2.5 million on a four-and-a-half-year contract.[15] He made his debut for Stoke against Fulham on February 23.[16] After the match Shea said he was glad to be playing again after his injury but admitted he was disappointed with his performance.[17] Shea made one more substitute appearance before manager Tony Pulis ruled him out for the remainder of the 2012–13 season because his foot operation had affected his fitness.[18] After scoring the winning goal in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, Shea joined up with the Stoke squad on their pre-season tour of the United States and played against the Philadelphia Union where he scored in a 2–0 victory. He also picked up a knee injury which saw him miss the start of the 2013–14 season.[19]

Shea joined Championship club Barnsley on loan from Stoke on January 1, 2014, and made his debut against Birmingham City the same day.[20][21] He played eight times for the Tykes before he was sent back to Stoke on March 10 after he was involved in a post-match confrontation, during which he made an offensive gesture towards Barnsley supporters, following a 5–0 defeat against Huddersfield Town.[22][23]

Having played no competitive club soccer since returning to Stoke, Shea joined Championship club Birmingham City on September 11, 2014, on loan for three months.[24] He went straight into the starting eleven for the next match, at home to Leeds United, and provided the pass from which Wes Thomas scored the opening goal. Shea lasted 67 minutes; the match finished 1–1.[25] He played six times for Birmingham before returning to Stoke.[26]

Orlando City

Shea playing against the Houston Dynamo during the 2015 season

On December 19, 2014 Shea returned to the United States, joining Major League Soccer side Orlando City,[27] an expansion team looking for a veteran presence to guide them in their first MLS season.

On Wednesday February 25, 2015, Shea scored his first goal with Orlando City against the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium in a preseason match with a header assisted by Kakà. The game ended after only 28 minutes of play because of inclement weather. Shea scored his first MLS goal with Orlando against the Portland Timbers on April 3, 2016, after a one-two play with Kaká, scoring a left-footed curler to the far post.[28]

During his tenure with Orlando, Brek often found himself playing left back. Shortly before new head coach Jason Kreis took over, Shea made consecutive appearances as a winger, a position that utilized his speed and height and a position that he felt more comfortable in.[29]

Vancouver Whitecaps

On February 27, 2017 Shea joined Vancouver Whitecaps FC in an exchange deal with Orlando for Giles Barnes.[30] The start of Shea's 2017 campaign was met with nagging injuries and he didn't get his first start until a 2–0 loss to Toronto FC on March 18, 2017. On April 5, 2017, Shea scored in the third minute of the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal. Minutes later Shea would exit the game with a knee injury.[31] Vancouver ended up conceding two late goals to fall 2–1 in Leg 2 and drop the series 4–1 on aggregate. Shea's injury kept him out of game action until April 5, 2017 where he was a second half substitution against Colorado Rapids. It was this game that Shea scored his first goal as a Whitecap. Shea's goal turned out to be the eventual game winner. He followed that performance by scoring another goal as a late game sub, in a 2–1 loss to Houston Dynamo.

Shea was released by Vancouver at the end of their 2018 season.[32]

Atlanta United

Shea signed with Atlanta United FC ahead of the 2019 season.[33]

Inter Miami

Shea initially trained and rehabilitated from injury with Miami's USL League One team Fort Lauderdale CF, however, on June 25, 2020 he signed with Inter Miami CF. Shea scored his first goal for the side—a tying goal, in the 65th minute—on September 12 in a 2–1 loss against Orlando City.[34][35] He was out of contract at the end of the 2021 season.[36]

On May 4, 2023, Shea announced his retirement from professional soccer alongside former teammate Geoff Cameron. The duo plan to participate in The Soccer Tournament, a pro–am seven-a-side tournament.[37]

International career

Brek Shea with U.S. national team

Shea was a member of the United States residency program in Bradenton, Florida, and played extensively for the Under-17 team during that time. He later moved on to the Under-20 national team, whom he has represented most recently at the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. He received his first call-up to the senior national team at the age of eighteen, when he was called in late for a second round World Cup qualifier on June 18, 2008, at Barbados.[38][39]

In September 2010, he was called up for an October friendly against Colombia. Shea earned his first international cap playing the first half of the 0–0 draw and in the process became the first player born in the 1990s to make an appearance for the full United States national team.[40][41]

Shea received his third call-up and his second cap when he joined Eric Alexander, Zach Loyd, and Ugo Ihemelu, making FC Dallas the most-represented MLS team at the January 2011 United States national team camp. Shea started the January 22, 2011 match against Chile, playing 60 minutes.[42]

Under new United States national team head coach Jürgen Klinsmann, Shea was named as one of seven midfielders for a friendly match against Mexico on August 10, 2011 in Philadelphia. In the 60th minute, Shea came on as a substitute for Jermaine Jones and recorded his first international assist on the equalizing goal from Robbie Rogers.[43]

After a six-month rough patch during his 2012 campaign, Shea made his return to the United States national team for a friendly against Mexico on August 15, 2012. Shea came on in the 78th minute as a substitute for Herculez Gomez. On July 16, 2013, Shea scored his first goal against Costa Rica in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, a low left footed shot to the corner of the net. It proved to be the winning goal, as the United States won 1–0.[44] Shea then scored the winning goal in the final as the United States beat Panama 1–0.[45]

International goals

Scores and results list the United States's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result CompetitionRef.
1.July 16, 2013Rentschler Field, East Hartford, United States Costa Rica
1–0
1–0
2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2.July 28, 2013Soldier Field, Chicago, United States Panama
1–0
1–0
2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
3.January 28, 2015Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua, Chile Chile
1–0
2–3
Friendly
4.March 31, 2015Letzigrund, Zürich, Switzerland  Switzerland
1–0
1–1

Personal life

Shea was born in College Station, Texas, the third son of Charles and Kirsten. He also has two younger sisters.[2] Shea attended Brazos Christian School and the freshman year at Bryan High School in Bryan, Texas. He then moved to the U.S. Residency in Bradenton, Florida, where he graduated from Edison Academy.[2]

During Shea's personal time he often paints. In 2011, ten of his abstract paintings raised nearly $10,000 at auction in Plano, Texas, in aid of the FC Dallas Foundation's support program for disadvantaged young people.[46]

On September 23, 2015, Shea's long-time girlfriend, Carling, gave birth to their daughter, Phoenix Shea.[47][48]

Career statistics

Club

As of October 5, 2022
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FC Dallas 2008[2][49] Major League Soccer 2010——30
2009[2][50] Major League Soccer 190———190
2010[2][51] Major League Soccer 2551040—305
2011[2][52] Major League Soccer 31113010604111
2012[2][52] Major League Soccer 213———213
Total 981950506011419
Stoke City 2012–13[53] Premier League 20———20
2013–14[54] Premier League 10—20—30
2014–15[55] Premier League 00———00
Total 30—20—50
Barnsley (loan) 2013–14[54] Championship 80———80
Birmingham City (loan) 2014–15[55] Championship 60———60
Orlando City 2015[2] Major League Soccer 190———190
2016[2] Major League Soccer 27310——283
Total 46310——473
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2017[2] Major League Soccer 25420—31305
2018[2] Major League Soccer 2834131—355
Total 5376131316510
Atlanta United FC 2019[2] Major League Soccer 190——20210
Inter Miami CF 2020[2] Major League Soccer 134———134
2021[2] Major League Soccer 302———302
2022[2] Major League Soccer 40———40
Total 476———476
Inter Miami CF II 2022 MLS Next Pro 10———10
Career total 2813512110111131438

    International

    As of October 14, 2015[56]
    United States
    YearAppsGoals
    201010
    201180
    201260
    2013102
    201420
    201572
    Total344

    Honors

    United States

    Individual

    References

    1. ↑ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009™: List of Players: United States" (PDF). FIFA. October 6, 2009. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 13, 2009.
    2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Brek Shea". MLS. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
    3. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (January 18, 2013). "Stoke linked with move for Dallas winger Brek Shea". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
    4. ↑ Borg, Simon (November 17, 2010). "Generation adidas players to graduate at season's end". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
    5. ↑ "Teenage striker Ruben Luna scores as FC Dallas cruises to preseason shutout". The Dallas Morning News. DallasNews.com. March 12, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
    6. ↑ "Team of the Week: Week 11". MLSsoccer.com. June 1, 2011. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
    7. ↑ "FC Dallas' Brek Shea closes New York Stock Exchange for the week". Dallas Morning News. July 22, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
    8. ↑ Nate Sulat; Adam Crouch (November 3, 2011). "MVP candidate Shea to train with Arsenal in offseason". MLSSoccer.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
    9. ↑ "FC Dallas starlet Brek Shea to train with Arsenal". ESPNSoccernet.com. November 3, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
    10. ↑ Snyder, Matthew. "Arsenal News: U.S. International Brek Shea Will Train with Club This Month". Bleacher Report. BleacherReport.com. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
    11. ↑ "Brek Shea has surgery, out 3 months". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
    12. ↑ "Stoke City trial for Brek Shea as Tony Pulis confirms interest in FC Dallas star". The Sentinel. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
    13. ↑ "Stoke City v Manchester City: Michael Owen in contention for FA Cup clash". The Sentinel. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
    14. ↑ "Stoke set to sign USA international Brek Shea, says Tony Pulis". BBC Sport. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
    15. ↑ "Stoke sign Brek Shea from FC Dallas in £2.5m deal". BBC Sport. January 31, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
    16. ↑ Phillips, Owen (February 23, 2013). "Fulham 1–0 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
    17. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (February 25, 2013). "It's nice to playing again, says Stoke's new boy Shea". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
    18. ↑ "Fragile Shea one for next season, says Stoke boss". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. April 26, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
    19. ↑ "Shea's on the mend". Stoke City F.C. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
    20. ↑ "Brek Shea: Barnsley sign Stoke City winger on loan". BBC Sport. January 1, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
    21. ↑ "Birmingham 1–1 Barnsley". BBC Sport. January 1, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
    22. ↑ "Barnsley: Brek Shea apologises for fans gesture". BBC Sport. March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
    23. ↑ Spinks, Martin (March 10, 2014). "Brek Shea sent back to Potteries by Barnsley". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
    24. ↑ "Brek Shea: Stoke winger joins Birmingham City on loan". BBC Sport. September 11, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
    25. ↑ Scott, Ged (September 13, 2014). "Birmingham 1–1 Leeds". BBC Sport. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
    26. ↑ Tattum, Colin (December 15, 2014). "Brek Shea returns to Potters". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
    27. ↑ "Brek Shea Signs with Orlando City SC". Orlando City. December 19, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
    28. ↑ "GOAL: Brek Shea unleashes a volley to the far post". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
    29. ↑ DelGallo, Alicia. "Brek Shea pleased with new role for Orlando City". Retrieved September 8, 2017.
    30. ↑ "'Caps acquire midfielder/forward Brek Shea for Giles Barnes in trade with Orlando City SC". whitecapsfc.com. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
    31. ↑ "Brek Shea's early goal, injury exit put wrench in Whitecaps' CCL loss". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
    32. ↑ "Whitecaps FC announce first roster moves ahead of 2019, exercise seven contract options". Whitecaps.com. November 26, 2018.
    33. ↑ "Brek Shea joins MLS Cup champs Atlanta United on a one-year deal". MLSSoccer.com. December 30, 2018.
    34. ↑ "Inter Miami CF Signs Versatile Veteran Brek Shea". Inter Miami. June 25, 2020.
    35. ↑ Price, Khobi (June 25, 2020). "Inter Miami CF signs former U.S. Men's National Team defender/midfielder Brek Shea". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
    36. ↑ "Inter Miami CF Announces 2021 Roster Decisions". Inter Miami. November 15, 2021.
    37. ↑ Carlisle, Jeff (May 4, 2023). "Ex-USMNT stars Geoff Cameron, Brek Shea announce retirement from professional soccer". ESPN. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
    38. ↑ "Bradley Names 19-Man Roster For Second Match of 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Against Barbados". U.S. Soccer Federation. USSoccer.com. June 20, 2008. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
    39. ↑ "U-20 MNT Midfielder Brek Shea Gears Up for Busy 2009". U.S. Soccer. Archived from the original on May 23, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
    40. ↑ "Bradley Names 20 Players for Upcoming Friendlies against Poland and Colombia". U.S. Soccer Federation. USSoccer.com. September 30, 2011. Archived from the original on September 7, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
    41. ↑ Straus, Brian (September 30, 2011). "Bob Bradley Names US Soccer Roster for Poland, Colombia Friendlies". America Online. AOL News. Archived from the original on March 6, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
    42. ↑ "U.S. Men's National Team Opens 2011 With 1–1 Draw Against Chile Behind First Career Goal from Teal Bunbury". U.S. Soccer Federation. USSoccer.com. January 22, 2011. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
    43. ↑ "MNT Draws Mexico 1–1 in Philadelphia". U.S. Soccer. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
    44. ↑ "United States Tops Costa Rica in Gold Cup". New York Times. July 16, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
    45. 1 2 "Suspended Klinsmann claims first trophy with Gold Cup win". Goal.com. July 28, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
    46. ↑ Casner, Robert (June 27, 2011). "FCD Notebook: Loyd notches first goal in front of family". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
    47. ↑ Bishop, Jordan (September 25, 2015). "Brek's New Baby Girl Fueling His Motivation". Orlando City Soccer Club. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
    48. ↑ "Orlando City SC's Brek Shea, partner Carling welcome first child into the world". MLS Soccer. September 23, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
    49. ↑ "FC Dallas fall to Charleston in Open Cup". MLSSoccer.com. January 23, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
    50. ↑ "D.C. United ousts FC Dallas". SoccerAmerica.com. April 23, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
    51. ↑ Boehm, Charles (April 29, 2010). "USOC: United get the better of Dallas". DCUnited.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
    52. 1 2 "B. Shea". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
    53. ↑ "Games played by Brek Shea in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
    54. 1 2 "Games played by Brek Shea in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
    55. 1 2 "Games played by Brek Shea in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
    56. ↑ "Shea, Brek". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
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