Heath Pearce
- U.S. National Team: MNT
- Position: Defender
- Date Of Birth: Aug. 13, 1984
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 175
- Hometown: Modesto, Calif.
- Club: FC Dallas
After four years in Europe, Pearce returned to the USA and debuted in MLS with FC Dallas in 2009. The California native featured in seven games for the national team, playing 630 minutes for Bob Bradley’s team during the year. An attacking left back by trade, Pearce was used in various positions on defense for Dallas and was also deployed in the midfield. After a late-season surge, Dallas fell just short of a playoff berth, meaning Pearce’s presence for a full season will be much appreciated at Pizza Hut Park.
• 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
• Made six appearances for FC Dallas in 2009, slotting in across the backline and also featuring in the midfield
• Despite featuring in just two qualifiers during the final round he finished with 754 total minutes during 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying
• Had a breakout year for the U.S. in 2008, appearing in 11 games and securing a starting position at left back as FIFA World Cup qualifying began.
• 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
• Made six appearances for FC Dallas in 2009, slotting in across the backline and also featuring in the midfield
• Despite featuring in just two qualifiers during the final round he finished with 754 total minutes during 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying
• Had a breakout year for the U.S. in 2008, appearing in 11 games and securing a starting position at left back as FIFA World Cup qualifying began.
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 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, 2005, 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
2009: Joined FC Dallas in September after the team acquired him via a process ranking … 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 the University of 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.
