Eddie Pope
Eddie Pope (born December 24, 1973, in Greensboro, North Carolina) is a football (soccer) defender for the United States. He currently plays for the MetroStars and is an important part of the United States men's national soccer team.
Pope had a very successful career playing for the University of North Carolina. In 1994, he was a first team All-American, and also earned All-ACC and All-South Region honors. He came to MLS in 1996, as the second pick in the MLS College Draft, having been selected by the D.C. United.
His first season in Washington, DC was split between the United and the men's Olympic team, which was preparing for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. However, he still played 18 games for the United and won a league title with the team. He also played his first game with the national team, helping the team beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0. In 1997, Pope made quite a splash on the MLS scene. He was named MLS Defender of the Year and earned a place in the MLS Best XI, as well as winning a second MLS title. In 1998, Pope helped the United win both the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the CONCACAF Interamerican Cup, the first continental honors earned by an MLS team. He scored the winning goal in the United's victory in the Interamerican Cup. He was also a fixture for the national team, which suprised the world when it defeated Brazil 1-0 and made its way to the finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Pope also played in two games for the US's disappointing campaign at the 1998 Football World Cup.
Pope's 1999 season was beset by injuries, and his playing time was limited, which continued to pester him into 2000, although he would play 19 and 21 games, respectively, in those seasons, and he earned his third and fourth consecutive trips to the MLS All-Star Game. Pope was named the MLS Humanitarian of the Year in 2000. Injuries continued to dog Pope in 2001, but he again played in the All-Star Game and also played an important role in the national team's World Cup qualification. In 2002, he started all five of the US's matches in the World Cup, and played a big part in the suprising success of the United States in that tournament. His MLS season was again troubled with injuries, and he only appeared in 17 matches.
On December 23, 2002, Pope was traded to the MetroStars, along with Jaime Moreno and Richie Williams, in return for Mike Petke, a first-round draft pick, and an allocation. Pope continued his quality play with the MetroStars, captaining the team to an excellent defensive record. He Pope was named to the MLS Best XI for the third time for his efforts. Pope continues to play the role of defensive stalwart for both the MetroStars and the national team.
Pope has earned 62 caps and scored 6 international goals. He has won many honors and been an important part of some of the most successful teams in the MLS. Even though injuries have set him back, he has become one of the best defenders the US has ever produced.
