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American soccer player (born 1987)

Dax McCarty
McCarty with the New York Red Bulls in 2011
Personal information
Full name Michael Dax McCarty
Date of birth (1987-04-30) April 30, 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Winter Park, Florida, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 North Carolina Tar Heels 45 (4)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2010 FC Dallas 93 (5)
2011 D.C. United 13 (0)
2011–2016 New York Red Bulls 169 (14)
2017–2019 Chicago Fire 86 (1)
2020–2023 Nashville SC 105 (2)
2024 Atlanta United 22 (0)
Total 488 (22)
International career
2007 United States U20 5 (0)
2008 United States U23 6 (0)
2009–2017 United States 13 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 19, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of January 27, 2019

Michael Dax McCarty (born April 30, 1987) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder. McCarty spend his entire professional career in Major League Soccer with six different clubs.

Early career

McCarty was raised in Winter Park, Florida and attended Winter Park High School. During his early years, McCarty was a member of the United States Soccer Residency program and attended the Edison Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He was also a member of the Ajax Orlando Prospects in the USL Premier Development League the summer after his freshman year in college.

McCarty played college soccer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2004 to 2005. Over that span, he appeared in 45 games, scoring 4 goals and assisting on 11 others. In 2005, he was named to the All-ACC first team.

Professional club career

McCarty playing for FC Dallas

FC Dallas

Opting to forgo his last two years at North Carolina, he was drafted in the first round, 6th overall, of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. McCarty made his MLS debut in the 85th minute in a 3–0 loss against Chivas USA on July 1, 2006. Dax had his best season as a professional in 2007 making his first start against the Los Angeles Galaxy in a 2–1 victory on April 12, 2007, and scored his first career MLS goal against the Galaxy on September 23, 2007. McCarty featured in Dallas' 3–2 loss to the New England Revolution in the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final. He finished the 2007 campaign leading the team with seven assists in 31 appearances throughout all competitions, including appearances in the 2007 North American SuperLiga. In 2008, McCarty was limited to only 17 games due to injury, but made eight starts for FC Dallas while recording two assists. In May, McCarty underwent sports hernia surgery in Germany during the middle of the season in hopes of speeding up his recovery time.

McCarty with D.C. United.

McCarty played an important role in the FC Dallas 2009 season, sitting in central midfield as a deep playmaker. He recorded his best statistical season with the club scoring 3 goals and 6 assists. On November 11, head coach Schellas Hyndman made it a top priority to retain McCarty, signing him to a new deal. During the 2010 season McCarty was once again a key player for FC Dallas helping the club reach the MLS Cup Playoffs. On November 6, McCarty scored the winning goal against Real Salt Lake that clinched the series and sent Dallas to the Western Conference Finals. Dallas would go on to reach the MLS Cup 2010, where they lost 2–1 to the Colorado Rapids. He played the entire 120 minutes of the match in what would be his final game for Dallas.

D.C. United

On November 24, 2010, McCarty was selected by the Portland Timbers as their first pick in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft, and then immediately traded with allocation money to D.C. United for Rodney Wallace and a fourth-round pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Then interim coach, Ben Olsen made McCarty a priority signing due to the similarities between Dax and his own style of play. On March 16, 2011, after only 4 months with the club, McCarty was named as the club's captain by Ben Olsen. McCarty made his first official appearance with the club in a 3–1 victory against the Columbus Crew during the season opener. After failing to perform up to Olsen's expectations as a converted attacking midfielder, McCarty was traded after 13 matches to rival club, New York Red Bulls in the middle of the season.

New York Red Bulls

In a shock move on June 27, 2011, McCarty was traded to the New York Red Bulls in return for Dwayne De Rosario. He became an instant starter for New York in central midfield upon his arrival at the club and was nicknamed the "Ginger Ninja" by teammates and supporters because of his light red hair. During the 2012 season McCarty had a breakout season for New York playing as a holding midfielder and was regarded as one of the top players on the team. He made 33 league appearances for the club and scored three goals and set up three others. He was regarded as the most underrated player in the league due to his silent presence in the midfield behind stars Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill.

Before the 2013 season; sporting director Andy Roxburgh extended McCarty's contract and praised him as the "heart and soul of the team." McCarty continued his fine play for New York throughout the season as he made 30 league appearances and scored four goals in helping the club to its first major title the 2013 MLS Supporters' Shield. On August 26, 2014, McCarty made his CONCACAF Champions League debut in a 2–0 win against El Salvadorian side, C.D. FAS. Throughout the 2014 season, McCarty anchored the midfield during their run to the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals where they ultimately fell to the New England Revolution. At the end of the season, McCarty was nominated for Goal of the Year, for his chip from outside the box against Bobby Shuttleworth and the Revolution on August 2. In December 2014, the Red Bulls turned down a large trade offer (multiple draft picks and allocation money) for McCarty from expansion club, Orlando City.

McCarty was named captain of New York on March 8, 2015, by the club's new coach, Jesse Marsch. During his first season as captain, McCarty appeared in a career-high 39 matches in all competitions and recorded another career-high with eight assists. His partnerships with Sacha Kljestan and Felipe helped form one of the strongest midfield trios in the league and helped lead New York to the 2015 MLS Supporters' Shield. McCarty and the front office met with season ticket holders at a town hall meeting on September 2 in a way to build an even stronger relationship with the fanbase and address concerns. On November 1, 2015, McCarty scored the lone goal for New York in a 1–0 victory over former club and rival D.C. United in the first leg of the MLS Cup Playoff Seminfinals. The match also wrote McCarty's name in the record books as he tied the club record for most playoff starts with 12. He would go on to break that record the following week with a start against his former club, D.C. United. Strong performances throughout the 2015 season, landed McCarty his first all-star appearance as well as his first appearance on Major League Soccer's Best XI of the season.

During the 2016 preseason, McCarty signed a new multi-year deal with the club on January 8. The terms of the deal were not disclosed as per MLS' league policy. McCarty was named alongside Darlington Nagbe as ESPN's most underrated player in MLS, even after earning MLS All-Star recognition during the previous season. On May 21, McCarty scored two goals in the Red Bulls 7–0 victory against New York City FC in the Hudson River Derby. It was the first two-goal game in his career. The following week against Toronto FC, McCarty became the second player in club history to make 150 league starts. McCarty fractured his tibia on July 31 against the Chicago Fire. After being forced out of play for a month, McCarty returned to the field on September 3 against Vancouver. After being eliminated from the playoffs by the Montreal Impact; McCarty appeared in his 198th game for the club and became the club's all-time appearance leader.

Chicago Fire

On January 16, 2017, McCarty was traded to the Chicago Fire in exchange for $400,000 in allocation money. The trade took McCarty completely by surprise, with the move being announced just days after the 29-year-old was married and while he was attending his first U.S. national team camp in years. Since joining Chicago Fire in 2017, the club has had their most successful season in years and he has enjoyed acclaim as the "unsung hero" of the club with which he passed 250 starts in MLS.

Nashville SC

On November 12, 2019, it was officially announced that McCarty had been traded to new MLS side Nashville SC ahead of their inaugural season in 2020. Chicago received $50,000 in 2020 General Allocation Money, $50,000 in 2020 Targeted Allocation Money and a second round pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.

Atlanta United FC

On January 9, 2024, McCarty signed as a free agent for Atlanta United.

On August 19, 2024, McCarty announced that he would be retiring from professional football after the 2024 season.

International career

McCarty was named to the United States U-20 men's national soccer team for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

He was named to the roster of the United States U-23 men's national soccer team for the 2008 CONCACAF Men Pre-Olympic Tournament in March 2008. He played in every match for the U-23 squad and was named to the All Tournament Team with teammates Maurice Edu and Freddy Adu. He was also voted to the "2008 Best XI" as a midfielder by the CONCACAF Technical Study Group.

McCarty received his first international cap with the United States national team as a late substitute for Michael Bradley during the international friendly between Slovakia and the United States on November 14, 2009. He earned his second cap four days later in a match against Denmark. In 2010, McCarty played the last 13 minutes in a friendly against Honduras.

2011 looked to be the beginning of a more consistent McCarty role with the national team as he was called up by Coach Bob Bradley to participate in the January Camp and then led the team as captain in their match against Chile, which resulted in a draw.

After a long absence from the national team, McCarty was called into the January 2017 training camp by Bruce Arena.

Personal life

McCarty's middle name, and now nickname came from the main character in his father's favorite book; The Adventurers. He was listed as one of the top American soccer players to follow on Twitter because of his funny remarks, critiques of referees, and banter with rival fans. His French Bulldogs, Koji and Bali, also have their own Instagram page. In June 2016, McCarty appeared in a cartoon advertisement for Affinity Federal Credit Union, along with teammates, Luis Robles, Connor Lade and Felipe.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played November 24, 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League U.S. Open Cup Playoffs Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FC Dallas 2006 MLS 2 0 — 0 0 — — 2 0
2007 25 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 — 28 1
2008 17 0 0 0 0 0 — — 17 0
2009 28 3 0 0 0 0 — — 28 3
2010 21 1 1 1 4 1 — — 26 3
Total 93 5 2 1 5 1 1 0 0 0 101 7
D.C. United 2011 MLS 13 0 0 0 0 0 — — 13 0
New York Red Bulls 2011 MLS 16 0 — 2 0 — — 18 0
2012 33 3 2 0 2 0 — — 37 3
2013 30 4 2 0 2 0 — — 34 4
2014 31 3 — 5 0 3 0 — 38 3
2015 32 1 3 0 4 1 — — 39 2
2016 27 3 2 0 2 0 — — 31 3
Total 169 14 9 0 17 1 3 0 0 0 198 15
Chicago Fire 2017 MLS 28 0 1 0 1 0 — — 30 0
2018 26 0 4 0 0 0 — — 30 0
2019 32 1 1 0 0 0 — — 33 1
Total 86 1 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 93 1
Nashville SC 2020 MLS 21 1 — 3 1 — — 24 2
2021 28 0 — 2 0 — — 30 0
2022 29 0 3 0 1 0 — — 33 0
2023 27 1 0 0 1 0 — 6 0 34 1
Total 105 2 3 0 7 1 0 0 6 0 121 3
Atlanta United FC 2024 MLS 22 0 3 0 5 0 — 2 0 32 0
Career total 488 22 23 1 35 3 4 0 8 0 558 26
  1. Appearance in North American SuperLiga
  2. Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League
  3. ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup

International

As of match played October 6, 2017
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2009 2 0
2010 2 0
2011 1 0
2017 8 0
Total 13 0

Honors

FC Dallas

New York Red Bulls

United States

Individual

References

  1. "FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  2. "Dax McCarty". Nashville SC. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  3. "Soccer Is Staple For Season's Stars". tribunedigital-orlandosentinel.
  4. Orlando Sentinel (July 17, 2015). "New York Red Bulls' Dax McCarty going to "cherish" homecoming against Orlando City – Orlando Sentinel". OrlandoSentinel.com.
  5. "Dax McCarty North Carolina Bio". GoHeels.com.
  6. "The Sports Hernia Chronicles". SoccerAmerica.com.
  7. "FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty signs new deal". SI.com. November 11, 2009.
  8. "Postseason success a treat for FCD vet McCarty". FCDallas.com.
  9. "2010 MLS Cup: FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids". MLSSoccer.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  10. "McCarty taken No. 1 in 2010 Expansion Draft". MLSsoccer.com.
  11. "Portland deal Expansion Draft pick McCarty to DC". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  12. "D.C. United's Dax McCarty ready to take on his former FC Dallas teammates". WashingtonPost.com.
  13. "McCarty to wear the armband for D.C. United". DCUnited.com.
  14. "Davies double starts United season off with a bang". MLSSoccer.com.
  15. "The Road Not Taken – What if Ben Olsen hadn't traded Dax McCarty and built D.C. United around Dwayne De Rosario?". BlackAndRedUnited.com. November 11, 2013.
  16. "Red Bulls deal De Rosario to DC for McCarty in stunner". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  17. "10 things about Dax McCarty: What you might not know about RBNY's "Ginger Ninja"". MLSSoccer.com.
  18. "Is Dax McCarty the Red Bulls M.V.P.?". The New York Times. August 27, 2012.
  19. "Best of 2012 – Underrated Player – Dax McCarty of New York". MLSSoccer.com.
  20. "The Red Bulls rewarded their ball-winning central midfielder with a new contract after a breakout first full season with the club". Goal.com.
  21. "New York Red Bulls 2 – C.D. FAS 0". CONCACAF.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  22. "VOTE: Dax McCarty for MLS Goal of the Year". NewYorkRedBulls.com.
  23. "Red Bulls reject Orlando offer for Dax: multiple draft picks, 'hefty allocation amount'". BigAppleSoccer.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015.
  24. "Dax McCarty Named Captain". newyorkredbulls.com. New York Red Bulls. March 8, 2015.
  25. "At this Red Bulls town hall, no one got cursed out". NYPost.com. September 4, 2015.
  26. "D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls – MatchCenter". MLSsoccer.com MatchCenter.
  27. "Dax McCarty ties New York Red Bulls' all-time MLS playoff starts record". OnceAMetro.com. November 2015.
  28. "2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game Roster". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. July 13, 2015.
  29. "2015 MLS Best XI revealed: 10 first-time selections get the nod". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. November 29, 2015.
  30. "New York Red Bulls Extend Contracts for Dax McCarty, Felipe and Sign Damien Perrinelle". newyorkredbulls.com. New York Red Bulls. January 8, 2016.
  31. "Mix Diskerud most overrated in MLS, ahead of high-priced stars – player poll". espnfc.com. ESPN. March 22, 2016.
  32. "New York City FC 0, New York Red Bulls 7". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. May 21, 2016.
  33. "Dax McCarty makes 150th MLS regular-season start for New York Red Bulls". onceametro.com. Once A Metro. May 30, 2016.
  34. "Dax McCarty out 4–6 weeks with fractured tibia". empireofsoccer.com. Empire Of Soccer. January 2023.
  35. "New York Red Bulls 1, Vancouver Whitecaps 0". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. September 3, 2016.
  36. "McCarty sets Red Bulls' all-time appearance record in playoff loss". SNY.TV.
  37. "Chicago Fire Acquire U.S. International Dax McCarty". chicago-fire.com. Chicago Fire. January 16, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  38. Stejskal, Sam (February 7, 2017). "Dax McCarty no fan of how Red Bulls, Marsch handled his trade to Fire". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  39. Murray, Shane (April 8, 2017). "Unsung hero Dax McCarty the catalyst for resurgent Chicago Fire". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  40. "Chicago Fire Receives $100,000 in Allocation Money from Nashville SC for Midfielder Dax McCarty". chicago-fire.com. Chicago Fire. November 12, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  41. "Atlanta United signs free agent Dax McCarty". ATLUtd.com. Atlanta United. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  42. "MLS legend Dax McCarty to retire after 2024 season". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  43. "U.S. Head Coach Thomas Rongen Finalizes 21-Player Roster for FIFA Under-20 World Cup". ussoccer.com.
  44. "2008 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualification All-Tournament Team unveiled". concacaf.com. CONCACAF. March 22, 2008. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014.
  45. "Bradley Calls 24 Players to Begin Training Camp on Jan. 4 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif". ussoccer.com.
  46. "U.S. Men's National Team Opens 2011 With 1–1 Draw Against Chile Behind First Career Goal from Teal Bunbury". ussoccer.com.
  47. "Arena Calls 32 Players for MNT January Camp". ussoccer.com.
  48. "10 things about Dax McCarty: What you might not know about RBNY's "Ginger Ninja"". MLSSoccer.com.
  49. "27 American Soccer Players to Follow on Twitter". PasteMagazine.com. April 28, 2015.
  50. "Affinity Credit Union Cartoon". JoinAffinity.com.
  51. Dax McCarty at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  52. Dax McCarty at National-Football-Teams.com

External links

Preceded byThierry Henry New York Red Bulls captain
2015–2016 		Succeeded bySacha Kljestan
Atlanta United FC – current squad
  • Head Coach: Deila
  • Assistant Coach: Villazon
  • Assistant Coach: De la Torre
  • Goalkeeping Coach: Curran
United States squads
United States men's soccer squad – 2008 Summer Olympics
United States
United States squad – 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup winners (6th title)
United States
FC Dallas first-round draft picks
2006 MLS SuperDraft first-round selections
2015 MLS Best XI
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