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{{Short description|American assist master}}
{{Short description|American soccer player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Steve Ralston
| name = Steve Ralston
| image = Steve Ralston Revolution vs Sounders.jpg
| image = Steve Ralston Revolution vs Sounders.jpg
| image_size = 200
| upright = 0.9
| caption = Ralston playing for the [[New England Revolution]] in 2009
| caption = Ralston playing for the [[New England Revolution]] in 2009
| fullname = Steve Ralston
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|6|14}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|6|14}}
| birth_place = [[Oakville, Missouri]], United States
| birth_place = [[Oakville, Missouri]], United States
Line 11: Line 12:
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| currentclub =
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| collegeyears1 = 1993–1995
| collegeyears1 = 1993–1995
| college1 = [[FIU Golden Panthers]]
| college1 = [[FIU Golden Panthers]]
| collegegoals1 = 40
| collegegoals1 = 40
| years1 = 1996–2001
| years1 = 1996–2001
| clubs1 = [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]]
| clubs1 = [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]]
| caps1 = 177
| caps1 = 177
| goals1 = 34
| goals1 = 34
| years2 = 2002–2009
| years2 = 2002–2009
| clubs2 = [[New England Revolution]]
| clubs2 = [[New England Revolution]]
| caps2 = 201
| caps2 = 201
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| totalcaps = 380
| totalcaps = 380
| totalgoals = 76
| totalgoals = 76
| nationalyears1 = 1997–2007
| nationalyears1 = 1997–2007
| nationalteam1 = [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]]
| nationalteam1 = [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]]
| nationalcaps1 = 36
| nationalcaps1 = 36
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| manageryears1 = 2010
| manageryears1 = 2010
| managerclubs1 = [[AC St. Louis]] (assistant)
| managerclubs1 = [[AC St. Louis]] (assistant)
| manageryears2 = 2010–2014
| manageryears2 = 2010–2014
| managerclubs2 = [[Houston Dynamo]] (assistant)
| managerclubs2 = [[Houston Dynamo]] (assistant)
| manageryears3 = 2015–2018
| manageryears3 = 2015–2018
| managerclubs3 = [[San Jose Earthquakes]] (assistant)
| managerclubs3 = [[San Jose Earthquakes]] (assistant)
| manageryears4 = 2018
| manageryears4 = 2018
| managerclubs4 = [[San Jose Earthquakes]] (interim)
| managerclubs4 = [[San Jose Earthquakes]] (interim)
| manageryears5 = 2022–
| managerclubs5 = [[San Jose Earthquakes]] (assistant)
| medaltemplates =
| medaltemplates =
{{Medal|Country|{{Flagu|United States}}}}
{{Medal|Country|{{Flagu|United States}}}}
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}}
}}


'''Steve Ralston''' (born June 14, 1974) is an American retired [[association football|soccer]] player and manager who played as a [[midfielder]]. He spent most of his playing career in [[Major League Soccer]] with the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]] and the [[New England Revolution]], retiring in 2010 as the league's all-time career leader in assists (135), appearances (378), starts (372), and minutes played (33,143). He also held the U.S. record for professional appearances (412) in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=New England Revolution|title=Revs statement on captain Steve Ralston|url=http://archive.revolutionsoccer.net/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=41746&pcid=115|access-date=2010-01-30}}</ref> He served as assistant manager at several teams, including the [[Houston Dynamo]] and [[San Jose Earthquakes]], including a brief stint as the interim head coach at the Earthquakes in 2018.
'''Steve Ralston''' (born June 14, 1974) is an American former [[association football|soccer]] player and manager who played as a [[midfielder]]. He spent most of his playing career in [[Major League Soccer]] with the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]] and the [[New England Revolution]], retiring in 2010 as the league's all-time career leader in assists (135), appearances (378), starts (372), and minutes played (33,143). He also held the U.S. record for professional appearances (412) in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=New England Revolution|title=Revs statement on captain Steve Ralston|url=http://archive.revolutionsoccer.net/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=41746&pcid=115|access-date=2010-01-30}}</ref> In 2020, Major League Soccer selected Ralston as one of the greatest players in league history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-unveils-25-greatest-presented-att |title=Picking the 25 Greatest players in MLS history, Andrew Wiebe |date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=October 22, 2024 |author=Wiebe, Andrew}}</ref>


Ralston served as assistant manager at several teams, including the [[Houston Dynamo]] and [[San Jose Earthquakes]], including a brief stint as the interim head coach at the Earthquakes in 2018.
==Career==


===Professional===
==Club career==
Ralston was drafted 18th overall in the [[1996 MLS College Draft]] by the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]] out of [[Florida International University]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/1996-mls-college-draft-369935 |title=1996 MLS College Draft |date=March 4, 1996
Ralston was drafted 18th overall in the [[1996 MLS College Draft]] by the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]] out of [[Florida International University]], and proceeded to become the first MLS player to win the [[MLS Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year Award]]. Ralston played for the Mutiny for six years, leaving only after the team was contracted in 2002. He was Tampa Bay's all-time leader in games played (177) and points (130). he then joined the New England Revolution. In his first year with the Revolution, Ralston led the league in assists with 19. In thirteen years in the league, he scored 76 goals and had 135 assists in 378 regular season matches, and added three goals and five assists in 30 playoff matches. He also served as captain for several seasons with New England.
|access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league, starting 31 matches in the club's [[1996 Tampa Bay Mutiny season|inaugural campaign]], scoring seven goals and notching two assists,<ref name="Steve Ralston MLS Career Statistics">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/steve-ralston/stats/ |title=Steve Ralston Career Statistics |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> and concluding the year as the first player in MLS history to win the [[MLS Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref name="Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year Winners List">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-young-player-of-the-year-rookie-of-the-year-winners |date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=October 21, 2024 |title=MLS Young Player of the Year/Rookie of the Year winners}}</ref> He also helped the club lift the first-ever [[Supporters' Shield]].<ref name="Steve Ralston St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame Profile"/> In his second season, Ralston started 29 matches and scored five goals, adding 11 assists.<ref name="Steve Ralston MLS Career Statistics"/> He was named to the [[1997 MLS All-Star Game|1997 MLS All-Star]] team.<ref name="Steve Ralston St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame Profile"/> He started 29 matches in [[1998 MLS season|1998]], again scoring five goals, and recording eight assists.<ref name="Steve Ralston MLS Career Statistics"/> In [[1999 Major League Soccer season|1999]], Ralston was voted Mutiny Team MVP, [[MLS Best XI]], and won the MLS Fair Play Award.<ref name="Steve Ralston St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame Profile">{{cite web|url=https://stlsoccerhalloffame.com/member/ralston-steve-2018/ |title=Ralston, Steve 2018 |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> He started all 32 matches for the club, scoring five goals and recording a league-leading eighteen assists.<ref name="1999 Major League Soccer Statistics">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/ |title= 1999 Stats |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Steve Ralston MLS Career Statistics"/> In 2000, Ralston was named an [[2000 MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]] for the second time, won the MLS Fair Play Award for the second time, and finished second in the league in assists, with 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/ |access-date=October 21, 2024 |title=2000 Stats}}</ref> In total, Ralston played for the Mutiny for six years, leaving only after the team was contracted in [[2002 Major League Soccer season|2002]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.frankdellapa.com/jan-11-2002-revolution-transformed-dispersal-draft/ |title=Jan. 11, 2002 – Revolution transformed by Dispersal Draft |author=Dell'Apa, Frank |access-date=October 21, 2024 |date=January 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://old.socceramerica.com/publications/article/11891/mls-dispersing-the-contraction-victims.html |title=MLS Dispersing the Contraction Victims |date=January 9, 2002 |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> Ralston departed as the Mutiny as the club's all-time leader in games played (177) and points (130).{{citation needed |date=October 2024}}


On January 11, 2002, Ralston was selected by the [[New England Revolution]] in the [[2002 MLS SuperDraft|2002 Allocation Draft]].<ref name="Club History Coach and Player Registry">{{cite web|url=https://newengland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/media/ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf |title=Club History Coach and Player Registry |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180612135826/https://newengland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/media/ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |access-date= October 21, 2024}}</ref> In his [[2002 New England Revolution season|first year]] with the Revolution, Ralston led the league in assists with 19.<ref name="2002 Major League Soccer Statistics">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/ |title= 2002 Stats |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> He was named MLS Best XI for the second time, and an [[2002 MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]] for the third time.<ref name="2024 Media Guide">{{cite book |title=2024 Media Guide |publisher=New England Revolution|url=https://revolution.1rmg.com/season/2024/media-guide/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322013528/https://revolution.1rmg.com/season/2024/media-guide/ |access-date=October 21, 2024|archive-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref> He helped the team reach the [[MLS Cup 2002|MLS Cup final]] for the first time, ultimately losing to the [[LA Galaxy]] on a [[Golden goal|Golden Goal]] in extra time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/mls-cup-history-fourth-time-is-the-charm-for-la-galaxy-in-2002/ |title=MLS Cup History {{!}} Fourth time is the charm for L.A. Galaxy in 2002 |date=November 16, 2009 |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref>
Soon after leaving New England, Ralston became the first ever signing of new [[USSF Division 2]] club [[AC St. Louis]].<ref>[http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/02/ralston-introduced-as-first-ac-st-louis-player.html Ralston introduced as first AC St. Louis player]</ref> Ralston was one of the team's starting midfielders, and an assistant coach to head coach [[Claude Anelka]].


Ralston was named an MLS All-Star in [[2004 MLS All-Star Game|2004]], and won goal of the week twice - in week 15 and 19.<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/> He was subsequently a finalist for MLS Goal of the Year, and was named Revolution Team MVP.<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/><ref name="New England Revolution Team MVP Award History">{{cite web|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/history-lesson-recapping-every-team-mvp-through-revs-first-20-seasons |title=History Lesson: Recapping every team MVP through the Revs' first 20 seasons |date=October 18, 2016 |author=Lemieux, Jeff |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> In [[2006 New England Revolution season|2006]], Ralston was a finalist for the MLS Fair Play Award.<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/> He was again named an MLS All-Star in [[2007 MLS All-Star Game|2007]], and led the league in assists, with 14.<ref name="2007 Major League Soccer Statistics">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/ |title= 2007 Stats |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> On July 14, 2007 against the [[New York Red Bulls]], Ralston surpassed his former teammate [[Carlos Valderrama]] to become the MLS all-time leader in assists, with 115.<ref name="Club History Coach and Player Registry"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.frankdellapa.com/july-14-2007-steve-ralston-sets-mls-record-115th-assist/ |author=Dell'Apa, Frank |title=July 14, 2007 – Steve Ralston sets MLS record with 115th assist |access-date=October 21, 2024 |date=July 14, 2017}}</ref> In 2007 Ralston also helped the club win its first-ever silverware in the form of the [[2007 U.S. Open Cup]].<ref name="U.S. Open Cup 2007">{{cite web|url=https://thecup.us/2007/10/03/2007-final-first-time-for-everything-revolution-win-first-trophy-3-2-over-fc-dallas/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117131654/https://thecup.us/2007/10/03/2007-final-first-time-for-everything-revolution-win-first-trophy-3-2-over-fc-dallas/ |date=October 3, 2007 |access-date=October 21, 2024 |title=2007 US Open Cup Final: First time for everything; New England Revolution win first trophy, 3-2 over FC Dallas |archive-date=November 17, 2023}}</ref>
⚫
After [[AC St. Louis]] ran in to financial difficulties, Ralston agreed to leave by mutual consent and immediately joined up with his former club [[New England Revolution]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/06/ralston-returns-to-revolution.html|title = Private Site}}</ref>


In [[2008 New England Revolution season|2008]], Ralston was named MLS Player of the Week twice - in matchweeks four and five.<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/> He was named an [[2008 MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]] for the sixth time. He also won the Revolution team Golden Boot award, scoring eight goals and recording seven assists.<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/> That year he helped the club secure its second-ever piece of silverware, the [[2008 North American SuperLiga final|2008 North American SuperLiga]], scoring in the final and converting a penalty during the subsequent shoot-out.<ref name="2008 North American SuperLiga">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615044039/http://www.superliga2008.com/headlines/index.html?article_id=123 |url=http://www.superliga2008.com/headlines/index.html?article_id=123 |date=August 6, 2008 |archive-date=June 15, 2009 |access-date=October 21, 2024 |title=Revs Capture SuperLiga 2008 Crown}}</ref> In [[2009 New England Revolution season|2009]] Ralston won the MLS Fair Play Award, and was named Revolution Humanitarian of the Year.<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesunchronicle.com/sports/revolution/ralston-honored-as-mls-fair-play-award-winner/article_84e3949b-b11e-57cf-9ea0-da6d7a7dd55c.html |title=Ralston honored as MLS Fair Play Award winner |date=November 4, 2009 |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> He suffered a season-ending knee injury in September of the 2009 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enterprisenews.com/story/sports/pro/2010/07/21/ralston-houston-bound-after-retiring/40180872007/ |title=Ralston Houston bound after retiring from Revs |date=July 21, 2010 |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref>
⚫
In Ralston's first appearance back with the [[New England Revolution]], he suffered a left elbow dislocation. In July 2010, he announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/ralston-set-announce-retirement| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100722171707/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/ralston-set-announce-retirement| archive-date = 2010-07-22| title = Ralston set to announce retirement {{!}} Major League Soccer}} </ref>


Ralston's contract with the Revolution ended at the conclusion of the 2009 season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2010/01/30/revs-captain-steve-ralston-decides-to-move-on/ |author=McCarthy, Kyle |title=Revs Captain Steve Ralston Decides to Move On |date=November 18, 2018 |access-date=October 22, 2024}}</ref> and he left the club to become the first-ever signing of new [[USSF Division 2]] club [[AC St. Louis]].<ref name="Soccer By Ives Ralston Signs with AC St. Louis">{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/02/ralston-introduced-as-first-ac-st-louis-player.html|title=Ralston introduced as first AC St. Louis player |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100203174316/http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/02/ralston-introduced-as-first-ac-st-louis-player.html |archive-date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=October 22, 2024 |date=February 1, 2010}}</ref> Ralston was one of the team's starting midfielders, and an assistant coach to head coach [[Claude Anelka]].<ref name="Soccer By Ives Ralston Signs with AC St. Louis"/>
⚫
===International===
⚫
Ralston appeared for the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States national team]] 36 times over an 11-year span and scored 4 international goals. His first cap came on January 17, 1997 against [[Peru national football team|Peru]]. His last was for the squad that won the [[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]. He was never selected to a World Cup roster.


⚫
After [[AC St. Louis]] ran in to financial difficulties, Ralston agreed to leave by mutual consent and immediately joined up with his former club [[New England Revolution]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/06/ralston-returns-to-revolution.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100611102514/http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/06/ralston-returns-to-revolution.html |archive-date=June 11, 2010 |access-date=October 21, 2024 |title=Ralston returns to Revolution
⚫
Ralston had a break out year for the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States national team]] in 2005 by earning 15 caps. He scored the game-winning goal in a World Cup qualifying match against Mexico on September 3, 2005. The victory for the United States clinched qualification in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=173300&cc=5901 Keller blanks Mexico to lead USA to World Cup]</ref> Due to a later injury, he was only listed as an alternate for the United States at the World Cup.
|date=June 8, 2010}}</ref>

⚫
In Ralston's first appearance back with the New England Revolution, he suffered a left elbow dislocation. In July 2010, he announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/ralston-set-announce-retirement| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100722171707/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/ralston-set-announce-retirement| archive-date = 2010-07-22| title = Ralston set to announce retirement {{!}} Major League Soccer}}</ref>

Ralston ended his Major League Soccer career as the league's leader in minutes played (33,143), games started (372), appearances (378), and assists (135).<ref name="Enterprise News Steve Ralston Retirement">{{cite web|url=https://www.enterprisenews.com/story/sports/pro/2010/07/20/ralston-to-take-his-final/40183168007 |title=Ralston to take his final bow for Revolution |date=July 20, 2010 |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> In thirteen years in the league, he scored 76 goals and had 135 assists in 378 regular season matches, and added three goals and seven assists in 30 playoff matches.<ref name="Steve Ralston MLS Career Statistics"/><ref name="Enterprise News Steve Ralston Retirement"/> He also served as captain for several seasons with New England, from 2007-2009.<ref name="Enterprise News Steve Ralston Retirement"/>

⚫
==International career==
⚫
Ralston appeared for the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States national team]] 36 times over an 11-year span and scored 4 international goals. His first cap came on January 17, 1997, against [[Peru national football team|Peru]]. His last was for the squad that won the [[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]. He was never selected to a World Cup roster.

⚫
Ralston had a break out year for the United States national team in 2005 by earning 15 caps. He scored the game-winning goal in a World Cup qualifying match against Mexico on September 3, 2005. The victory for the United States clinched qualification in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051220052143/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=173300&cc=5901 Keller blanks Mexico to lead USA to World Cup]</ref> Due to a later injury, he was only listed as an alternate for the United States at the World Cup.


== Coaching career ==
== Coaching career ==
⚫
In July 2010, Ralston took an assistant coaching job at the [[Houston Dynamo]] with his former Mutiny teammate [[Dominic Kinnear]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/news.php?id=36|website=www.nasl.com |title=Oops! Sorry, Something Went Wrong &#124; Nasl }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2010/07/22/2037904/steve-ralston-joins-the-houston-dynamo-as-assistant-coach| title = Steve Ralston Joins The Houston Dynamo As Assistant Coach {{!}} Goal.com}}</ref> On January 6, 2015, the [[San Jose Earthquakes]] announced Ralston would join Kinnear in San Jose and once again serve as his assistant coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2015/01/quakes-name-ralston-russell-hanley-assistant-coaches|title=Quakes name Ralston, Russell, Hanley assistant coaches}}</ref>

== Honors ==
'''United States'''
* [[CONCACAF Gold Cup]]: [[2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2005]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ussoccerplayers.com/usmnt-2005-gold-cup-squad |title=USMNT 2005 GOLD CUP SQUAD |access-date=October 22, 2024}}</ref>

'''New England Revolution'''

* [[U.S. Open Cup]]: [[2007 U.S. Open Cup|2007]]<ref name="U.S. Open Cup 2007"/>
* [[North American SuperLiga]]: [[2008 North American SuperLiga final|2008]]<ref name="2008 North American SuperLiga"/>

'''Tampa Bay Mutiny'''

* [[Supporters' Shield]]: 1996<ref>{{cite web|url=https://supportersshield.org/the-winners/ |title=The Winners |access-date=October 22, 2024}}</ref>


'''Individual'''
⚫
After his signing with [[AC St. Louis]] was named as the new assistant coach of the club.<ref>[http://www.nasl.com/news.php?id=36 STEVE RALSTON SIGNS WITH AC ST. LOUIS: Will Serve as Player-Assistant Coach]</ref> In July 2010, Raltson took an assistant coaching job at the [[Houston Dynamo]] with his former teammate [[Dominic Kinnear]] from the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2010/07/22/2037904/steve-ralston-joins-the-houston-dynamo-as-assistant-coach| title = Steve Ralston Joins The Houston Dynamo As Assistant Coach {{!}} Goal.com}} </ref> On January 6, 2015, the [[San Jose Earthquakes]] announced Ralston would join Kinnear in San Jose and once again serve as his assistant coach.<ref>[http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2015/01/quakes-name-ralston-russell-hanley-assistant-coaches Quakes name Ralston, Russell, Hanley assistant coaches]</ref>
* MLS 50/50 Club<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-50-50-club-set-welcome-its-19th-member|title=MLS' 50-50 club set to welcome its 19th member &#124; MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}}</ref>
*[[MLS Rookie of the Year]]: [[1996 Major League Soccer season|1996]]<ref name="Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year Winners List"/>
*[[MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]]: [[1997 MLS All-Star Game|1997]],<ref>[https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/all-star-game-flashback-1997-valderrama-named-mvp-again All-Star Game flashback, 1997] at MLSsoccer.com</ref> [[2000 MLS All-Star Game|2000]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2000 |title=2000 MLS All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2000-mls-all-star-game-373143 |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref> [[2002 MLS All-Star Game|2002]]<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/> [[2004 MLS All-Star Game|2004]],<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/> [[2007 MLS All-Star Game|2007]],<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/> [[2008 MLS All-Star Game|2008]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2008-mls-all-star-game-373153 |date=July 24, 2008 |access-date=October 22, 2024 |title=2008 All-Star Game}}</ref>
*[[MLS Best XI]] (3): [[1999 Major League Soccer season|1999]], [[2000 Major League Soccer season|2000]], [[2002 Major League Soccer season|2002]]
* [[MLS Fair Play Award]] (3): [[1999 Major League Soccer season|1999]], [[2000 Major League Soccer season|2000]], [[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009]]
*[[Major League Soccer|MLS]] top assist provider: [[1999 Major League Soccer season|1999]],<ref name="1999 Major League Soccer Statistics"/> [[2002 Major League Soccer season|2002]],<ref name="2002 Major League Soccer Statistics"/> [[2007 Major League Soccer season|2007]]<ref name="2007 Major League Soccer Statistics"/>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American soccer players]]
[[Category:American men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Soccer players from St. Louis]]
[[Category:Soccer players from St. Louis]]
[[Category:FIU Panthers men's soccer players]]
[[Category:FIU Panthers men's soccer players]]
[[Category:United States men's international soccer players]]
[[Category:United States men's international soccer players]]
[[Category:CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning players]]
[[Category:CONCACAF Gold Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]]
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[[Category:Houston Dynamo FC non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Houston Dynamo FC non-playing staff]]
[[Category:San Jose Earthquakes non-playing staff]]
[[Category:San Jose Earthquakes non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Player-coaches]]
[[Category:AC St. Louis coaches]]

Latest revision as of 03:52, 12 November 2024

Steve Ralston
Ralston playing for the New England Revolution in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth (1974-06-14) June 14, 1974 (age 50)
Place of birth Oakville, Missouri, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1995 FIU Golden Panthers (40)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2001 Tampa Bay Mutiny 177 (34)
2002–2009 New England Revolution 201 (42)
2010 AC St. Louis 2 (0)
2010 New England Revolution 0 (0)
Total 380 (76)
International career
1997–2007 United States 36 (4)
Managerial career
2010 AC St. Louis (assistant)
2010–2014 Houston Dynamo (assistant)
2015–2018 San Jose Earthquakes (assistant)
2018 San Jose Earthquakes (interim)
2022– San Jose Earthquakes (assistant)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 2005
Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 2007
Third place CONCACAF Gold Cup 2003
Men's Soccer
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Steve Ralston (born June 14, 1974) is an American former soccer player and manager who played as a midfielder. He spent most of his playing career in Major League Soccer with the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the New England Revolution, retiring in 2010 as the league's all-time career leader in assists (135), appearances (378), starts (372), and minutes played (33,143). He also held the U.S. record for professional appearances (412) in 2010.[1] In 2020, Major League Soccer selected Ralston as one of the greatest players in league history.[2]

Ralston served as assistant manager at several teams, including the Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes, including a brief stint as the interim head coach at the Earthquakes in 2018.

Club career

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Ralston was drafted 18th overall in the 1996 MLS College Draft by the Tampa Bay Mutiny out of Florida International University,[3] and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league, starting 31 matches in the club's inaugural campaign, scoring seven goals and notching two assists,[4] and concluding the year as the first player in MLS history to win the Rookie of the Year Award.[5] He also helped the club lift the first-ever Supporters' Shield.[6] In his second season, Ralston started 29 matches and scored five goals, adding 11 assists.[4] He was named to the 1997 MLS All-Star team.[6] He started 29 matches in 1998, again scoring five goals, and recording eight assists.[4] In 1999, Ralston was voted Mutiny Team MVP, MLS Best XI, and won the MLS Fair Play Award.[6] He started all 32 matches for the club, scoring five goals and recording a league-leading eighteen assists.[7][4] In 2000, Ralston was named an MLS All-Star for the second time, won the MLS Fair Play Award for the second time, and finished second in the league in assists, with 17.[8] In total, Ralston played for the Mutiny for six years, leaving only after the team was contracted in 2002.[9][10] Ralston departed as the Mutiny as the club's all-time leader in games played (177) and points (130).[citation needed]

On January 11, 2002, Ralston was selected by the New England Revolution in the 2002 Allocation Draft.[11] In his first year with the Revolution, Ralston led the league in assists with 19.[12] He was named MLS Best XI for the second time, and an MLS All-Star for the third time.[13] He helped the team reach the MLS Cup final for the first time, ultimately losing to the LA Galaxy on a Golden Goal in extra time.[14]

Ralston was named an MLS All-Star in 2004, and won goal of the week twice - in week 15 and 19.[13] He was subsequently a finalist for MLS Goal of the Year, and was named Revolution Team MVP.[13][15] In 2006, Ralston was a finalist for the MLS Fair Play Award.[13] He was again named an MLS All-Star in 2007, and led the league in assists, with 14.[16] On July 14, 2007 against the New York Red Bulls, Ralston surpassed his former teammate Carlos Valderrama to become the MLS all-time leader in assists, with 115.[11][17] In 2007 Ralston also helped the club win its first-ever silverware in the form of the 2007 U.S. Open Cup.[18]

In 2008, Ralston was named MLS Player of the Week twice - in matchweeks four and five.[13] He was named an MLS All-Star for the sixth time. He also won the Revolution team Golden Boot award, scoring eight goals and recording seven assists.[13] That year he helped the club secure its second-ever piece of silverware, the 2008 North American SuperLiga, scoring in the final and converting a penalty during the subsequent shoot-out.[19] In 2009 Ralston won the MLS Fair Play Award, and was named Revolution Humanitarian of the Year.[13][20] He suffered a season-ending knee injury in September of the 2009 season.[21]

Ralston's contract with the Revolution ended at the conclusion of the 2009 season,[22] and he left the club to become the first-ever signing of new USSF Division 2 club AC St. Louis.[23] Ralston was one of the team's starting midfielders, and an assistant coach to head coach Claude Anelka.[23]

After AC St. Louis ran in to financial difficulties, Ralston agreed to leave by mutual consent and immediately joined up with his former club New England Revolution.[24]

In Ralston's first appearance back with the New England Revolution, he suffered a left elbow dislocation. In July 2010, he announced his retirement.[25]

Ralston ended his Major League Soccer career as the league's leader in minutes played (33,143), games started (372), appearances (378), and assists (135).[26] In thirteen years in the league, he scored 76 goals and had 135 assists in 378 regular season matches, and added three goals and seven assists in 30 playoff matches.[4][26] He also served as captain for several seasons with New England, from 2007-2009.[26]

International career

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Ralston appeared for the United States national team 36 times over an 11-year span and scored 4 international goals. His first cap came on January 17, 1997, against Peru. His last was for the squad that won the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was never selected to a World Cup roster.

Ralston had a break out year for the United States national team in 2005 by earning 15 caps. He scored the game-winning goal in a World Cup qualifying match against Mexico on September 3, 2005. The victory for the United States clinched qualification in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[27] Due to a later injury, he was only listed as an alternate for the United States at the World Cup.

Coaching career

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In July 2010, Ralston took an assistant coaching job at the Houston Dynamo with his former Mutiny teammate Dominic Kinnear.[28][29] On January 6, 2015, the San Jose Earthquakes announced Ralston would join Kinnear in San Jose and once again serve as his assistant coach.[30]

Honors

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United States

New England Revolution

Tampa Bay Mutiny

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Revs statement on captain Steve Ralston". New England Revolution. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
  2. ^ Wiebe, Andrew (November 16, 2020). "Picking the 25 Greatest players in MLS history, Andrew Wiebe". Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  3. ^ "1996 MLS College Draft". March 4, 1996. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Steve Ralston Career Statistics". Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "MLS Young Player of the Year/Rookie of the Year winners". January 1, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Ralston, Steve 2018". Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "1999 Stats". Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  8. ^ "2000 Stats". Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Dell'Apa, Frank (January 11, 2017). "Jan. 11, 2002 – Revolution transformed by Dispersal Draft". Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  10. ^ "MLS Dispersing the Contraction Victims". January 9, 2002. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Club History Coach and Player Registry" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "2002 Stats". Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 2024 Media Guide. New England Revolution. Archived from the original on March 22, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  14. ^ "MLS Cup History | Fourth time is the charm for L.A. Galaxy in 2002". November 16, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  15. ^ Lemieux, Jeff (October 18, 2016). "History Lesson: Recapping every team MVP through the Revs' first 20 seasons". Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "2007 Stats". Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  17. ^ Dell'Apa, Frank (July 14, 2017). "July 14, 2007 – Steve Ralston sets MLS record with 115th assist". Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "2007 US Open Cup Final: First time for everything; New England Revolution win first trophy, 3-2 over FC Dallas". October 3, 2007. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Revs Capture SuperLiga 2008 Crown". August 6, 2008. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  20. ^ "Ralston honored as MLS Fair Play Award winner". November 4, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "Ralston Houston bound after retiring from Revs". July 21, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  22. ^ McCarthy, Kyle (November 18, 2018). "Revs Captain Steve Ralston Decides to Move On". Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Ralston introduced as first AC St. Louis player". February 1, 2010. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  24. ^ "Ralston returns to Revolution". June 8, 2010. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  25. ^ "Ralston set to announce retirement | Major League Soccer". Archived from the original on July 22, 2010.
  26. ^ a b c "Ralston to take his final bow for Revolution". July 20, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  27. ^ Keller blanks Mexico to lead USA to World Cup
  28. ^ "Oops! Sorry, Something Went Wrong | Nasl". www.nasl.com.
  29. ^ "Steve Ralston Joins The Houston Dynamo As Assistant Coach | Goal.com".
  30. ^ "Quakes name Ralston, Russell, Hanley assistant coaches".
  31. ^ "USMNT 2005 GOLD CUP SQUAD". Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  32. ^ "The Winners". Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  33. ^ "MLS' 50-50 club set to welcome its 19th member | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer.
  34. ^ All-Star Game flashback, 1997 at MLSsoccer.com
  35. ^ "2000 MLS All-Star Game". MLSsoccer.com. July 29, 2000. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  36. ^ "2008 All-Star Game". July 24, 2008. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
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