Ryan Nelsen
|
Nelsen as head coach of Toronto FC in 2013 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ryan William Nelsen | ||
| Date of birth | 18 October 1977 | ||
| Place of birth | Christchurch, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1997–1998 | Greensboro Pride | ||
| 1999–2000 | Stanford Cardinal | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1995–1998 | Christchurch United | 96 | (12) |
| 2001–2005 | D.C. United | 81 | (7) |
| 2005–2012 | Blackburn Rovers | 172 | (8) |
| 2012 | Tottenham Hotspur | 5 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | Queens Park Rangers | 21 | (1) |
| Total | 375 | (28) | |
| International career | |||
| 2008 | New Zealand Olympic (O.P.) | 5 | (0) |
| 2012 | New Zealand Olympic (O.P.) | 3 | (0) |
| 1999–2012 | New Zealand | 49 | (7) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2013–2014 | Toronto FC | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Ryan William Nelsen ONZM (born 18 October 1977) is a New Zealand former professional football player and head coach.
Nelsen commonly played as a defender, and his professional career began in 1995. He notably captained the New Zealand national team and started his professional football career in his native country for Christchurch United. In 2001, he joined Major League Soccer side D.C. United. In 2005, he moved to England with Premier League side Blackburn Rovers.
In 2012, he made a move to Tottenham Hotspur but only managed 5 appearances before joining Queens Park Rangers later that year. From January 2013 to August 2014 he was head coach of Toronto FC in MLS.