Chris Pontius

PRONUNCIATION

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2017 (Philadelphia): Pontius made 30 appearances (28 starts) in his second season with the Union (21 at right midfield, nine at left midfield), totaling two goals and six assists ... he started the season opener at Vancouver (March 5) and continued in the starting lineup for the home opener vs. Toronto FC (March 11), where he assisted on the Union's first goal of the season with a headed pass to Jay Simpson ... he made his third consecutive start of the season in the match at Orlando (March 18) and continued in the starting lineup at left midfield through the contest vs. New York City FC (April 14) ... against Montreal (April 22), starting at right midfield for the first time in 2017, he notched his second assist of the season with a headed effort across goal for CJ Sapong ... continued in the starting lineup at right midfield at LA Galaxy (April 29) and vs. the New York Red Bulls (May 6), where he recorded his third assist of the campaign, tying him for the club lead at the time ... registered an assist in back-to-back contests with a helper at D.C. United (May 13), his fourth of the season ... notched two assists against Houston (May 17), extending his personal assists streak to three matches and tying his single-season career high with six on the year, taking over the team lead at the time ... made his first substitute appearance of 2017 by coming on for an injured Fabian Herbers at right midfield vs. Colorado (May 20) ... returned to the starting lineup at right midfield at Real Salt Lake (May 27) and continued there in every Union regular-season match through the contest at Sporting KC (July 6) ... was named to the preliminary USMNT roster ahead of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup and was named to the 23-man roster for the Group Stage as an injury replacement for Kenny Saief... was on the bench for the USMNT's tournament opener, vs. Panama (July 8) ... earned his third cap and his first Gold Cup appearance by coming on as a substitute vs. Martinique (July 12) ... started the final Group Stage match, vs. Nicaragua (July 15), helping the USMNT capture Group B with a 3-0 win ... made a substitute appearance in the USMNT's Quarterfinal victory over El Salvador, in Philadelphia (July 19) ... was on the bench for the Semifinal victory over Costa Rica (July 22) ... missed the Union matches from at Montreal (July 19) through vs. Columbus (July 26) while with the USMNT ... captured the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup following the USMNT's 2-1 win over Jamaica in the Final (July 26) ... returned to the Union's starting lineup at right midfield at New England (July 29) and continued there in every match through the contest at San Jose (August 19) ... made a substitute appearance at left midfield at Toronto FC (August 23) ... started vs. Atlanta (August 26) at right midfield and at Minnesota (September 9) and New York Red Bulls (September 17) at left midfield ... started at right midfield vs. Chicago (September 23), scoring his first two goals of the season in his seventh-career multi-goal performance ... continued in the starting lineup at right midfield at Atlanta (September 27) ... was a late scratch from the starting lineup after experiencing abdominal discomfort prior to the match vs. Seattle (October 1) ... returned to the starting lineup at right midfield at Chicago (October 15) ... came on as a substitute in the season finale vs. Orlando (October 22) ... in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Pontius made two appearances, with one at right midfield and one at left midfield ... came on as a second-half substitute at right midfield in the win over Harrisburg (June 14), with an additional substitute appearance at left midfield in the Round of 16 at the New York Red Bulls (June 28).

2016 (Philadelphia): The Union acquired Pontius via trade before the 2016 campaign, and the midfielder responded with one of his finest seasons to date, playing in 33 matches with 12 goals and six assists. He was named the 2016 MLS Comeback Player of the Year for his efforts. He also made two U.S. Open Cup appearances (scoring twice in the Round of 16 against the Red Bulls) and started the Union’s postseason contest at Toronto FC.

2015 (D.C. United): Pontius played in 23 matches during the 2015 season, scoring three goals with one assist. He also scored in his lone postseason appearance, during the Knockout Round on October 29, 2015 against New England. He also made four Group Stage appearances in the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League for the Black-and-Red.

2014 (D.C. United): The midfielder underwent surgery for a hamstring injury in April that knocked his 2014 debut back to September. For the season, Pontius appeared in six matches, scoring one goal and adding one assist. He also made two postseason appearances and four CONCACAF Champions League appearances, scoring one goal and adding one assist.

2013 (D.C. United): Pontius scored two goals and added three assists in 2013 over 22 league appearances. He also played five U.S. Open Cup matches, scoring once and assisting once as United won the championship. He started the final, playing 87 minutes in the win over Real Salt Lake.

2012 (D.C. United): Another strong comeback campaign for Pontius saw the midfielder total 12 goals and four assists over 31 league appearances. He scored a hat trick on April 23, 2012 against the Red Bulls and enjoyed a three-match stretch with four goals from June 17, 2012 at Philadelphia through July 1, 2012 vs. Montreal. He also appeared three times in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs as D.C. United made it to the Conference Championship.

2011 (D.C. United): Pontius recovered from his injury to score seven times with five assists over 25 league appearances for the Black-and-Red. He registered braces on April 16, 2011 at Toronto FC and August 14, 2011 vs. Vancouver. During the club’s match at Chivas USA on September 10, he suffered a broken leg, again ending his season early.

2010 (D.C. United): The winger scored three goals in 17 league appearances during the 2010 campaign while also adding one U.S. Open Cup appearance. His season was cut short following a hamstring injury that saw him have surgery in September.

2009 (D.C. United): Pontius was drafted by D.C. United in the First Round (seventh overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United. He scored his first goal in his very first game against the LA Galaxy on March 22, 2009. He went on to make 28 total appearances, scoring four times with three assists. He also appeared three times in the U.S. Open Cup as the Black-and-Red lost the final, in which Pontius played all 90 minutes. He also appeared seven times in CONCACAF Champions League play, scoring two goals.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Pontius has earned five caps for the United States National Team. He was originally called in to the side in 2010 for a camp ahead of a friendly against El Salvador, but did not appear. He was again called in in 2011 ahead of a pair of September friendlies, but again did not make an appearance. After receiving a call-up to the 2017 January camp under Bruce Arena, Pontius earned his first cap on January 29, 2017 in a friendly against Serbia and made his second appearance on February 3, 2017 vs. Union teammate Andre Blake and Jamaica. Later in the 2017 season, he was named to the USA's preliminary roster for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup and eventually named to the final 23-man roster for the Group Stage as an injury replacement for Kenny Saief. He was on the bench for the USMNT's tournament opener vs. Panama (July 8), and a few days later, he earned his third cap and his first Gold Cup appearance with a substitute's nod against Martinique (July 12). He started in the final Group Stage match, against Nicaragua (July 15), helping the USMNT top the group with a 3-0 win. He made a substitute appearance in his club city by coming on in the second half during a 2-0 Quarterfinal victory over El Salvador (July 19). Ultimately, he would be a winner of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup following the USMNT's 2-1 victory over Jamaica in the Final (July 26).

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Pontius was a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in his senior year in 2008 for the University of California Santa Barbara. He was also a College Soccer News All-American Second Team, and an NSCAA All-American Third Team after leading the club with 14 goals. He won the Big West Offensive Player of the Year in his junior year as well when he led the conference with 11 tallies.

ACQUIRED

Philadelphia Union acquired midfielder Chris Pontius from D.C. United on December 7, 2015 in exchange for General and Targeted Allocation Money.

Name: Chris Pontius

Position: Midfielder

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 170

Born: May 12, 1987 in Yorba Linda, CA

Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA

Citizenship: United States

Acquired: Philadelphia Union acquired midfielder Chris Pontius from D.C. United on December 7, 2015 in exchange for General and Targeted Allocation Money

Previous Experience: D.C. United (2009-2015)