Heath Pearce
- U.S. National Team: MNT
- Position: Defender
- Date Of Birth: Aug. 13, 1984
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 175
- Hometown: Modesto, Calif.
- Club: Chivas USA
An attacking left back by trade, Pearce’s sense of timing and crossing ability are considerable assets for the U.S. system. A contributor to the USA’s successful campaign to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he was named to the 30-man preliminary roster. His versatility and willingness to take on defenders led to his use in various positions on defense for FC Dallas, even being deployed in the midfield. His efforts were a big part of his club side’s run to the 2010 MLS Cup final, but a hamstring injury kept him from his first championship match. He continues his MLS career at Chivas USA in his home state, California.
- Chosen as part of the 30-man preliminary roster for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
- A member of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup squad, Pearce made the most impact during the USA’s other major tournament during the year, starting five games in the run to the final of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
- Recorded an assist in the 2-1 victory against El Salvador on Feb. 24, 2010, marking the fourth straight year he has put points on the board
- Finished with 754 total minutes spread across nine starts during 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying
- A former member of the U-17 Residency Program, he competed at both the U-17 and U-20 levels
- Spent five years in Europe playing in the top leagues in Denmark and Germany before embarking on an MLS career with FC Dallas
2010: Assisted on Brian Ching’s game-tying goal in the 2-1 win on Feb. 24 against El Salvador … Played final 20 minutes in 2-1 loss to Holland on March 3 in Amsterdam … Making a total of five appearances, he started in the 0-0 draw against Colombia on Oct. 12 in Chester, Pa. ... 2009: Played 90 minutes during the USA’s 2-0 victory against Mexico on Feb. 11 to open the Final Round of World Cup qualifying … Featured in five 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup games as the team advanced to the final … Ended the year with seven appearances and seven starts to take his career cap total to 28 … 2008: One of seven players to start all three games during the memorable U.S. summer friendlies against England, Spain and Argentina … Started in 11 games and logged 945 minutes for the U.S. in 2008, both personal and team bests … Contributed two assists, setting up Eddie Johnson against Barbados on June 15 and Landon Donovan against Cuba on Oct. 11, to post his first-ever points in World Cup qualifying … 2007: A member of the squad which traveled to Venezuela to compete in the 2007 edition of Copa America … He made one appearance in the tournament, playing the full 90 minutes against Colombia … Also started against Brazil at left back … Appeared as a sub in the 1-0 win against Switzerland in Basel … Started in the USA’s 1-0 win against South Africa on Nov. 17 in Johannesburg … 2006: Made four appearances for the U.S. … His first start for the U.S. came against Canada during a 0-0 draw on Jan. 22 … Came on as a sub for Cory Gibbs against Germany in Dortmund … 2005: Made his debut appearance for the national team when he came on for DaMarcus Beasley in the 1-1 draw against Scotland on Nov. 12 at Hampden Park … Under-20s: Played in four international matches with the U.S. Under-20s, starting all four games … Played two international friendlies against Colombia in Fort Lauderdale in February of 2003 … Was part of the squad for the Madeira Tournament in Portugal in March of 2003, starting against Portugal and Norway … Under-17s: Member of U.S. Soccer’s Under-17 Residency Program in 2000-01 … Played and started in a total of eight international matches for the U-17 MNT, starting three and scoring two goals … First Appearance: Nov. 12, 2005, vs. Scotland … First Goal: None.
2010: Played 28 games for FC Dallas, starting 27 and recording a career-high six assists … A hamstring injury sidelined him for his team’s run through the playoffs to the MLS Cup final … Traded to Chivas USA following the season … 2009: Joined FC Dallas in September after the team acquired him through allocation … After regaining match fitness, he went on to make six appearances and five starts for Dallas … Featured prominently down the stretch as his team made a late push for the playoffs … Earned one assist in his first abbreviated season in MLS ... 2008-09: Continued with Hansa Rostock, despite the team’s relegation to the Second Bundesliga … Made 12 appearances with Rostock … Finished his career in Germany making 31 appearances over two years with Hansa Rostock … 2007-08: With interest coming from a variety of sources, he elected to sign with newly promoted side Hansa Rostock of the Bundesliga … Made his first appearance for his new club on the opening day of the season, when he started and played the full 90 minutes on Aug. 4 against Bayern Munich … 2006-07: Matured into a leader of the FC Nordsjælland defense and helped his club team to a fifth-place finish in the league, by far their highest position since being promoted in 2003 … Elected to leave the club at the end of the 2007, having made 50 appearances for Nordsjælland scoring two goals … 2005-06: Elected to leave Portland after three years to sign with FC Nordsjælland of the Danish Superliga … In his first year with the club, he made an immediate impact and was a valuable member of a side that finished ninth in the table.
In his final year at Portland, he started all 20 games, scoring two goals and racking up five assists … Was an All-West Coast Conference honorable mention selection … Had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over Central Florida … Registered a goal and assist in the NCAA first-round 2-0 win over Oregon State.
Enjoys sushi … Lists The Godfather as one of his favorite movies … Likes to read inspirational books … A devotee of Call of Duty and Rock Band on his PS3.
