Bobby Convey

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Bobby Convey

| image = BobbyConvey USMNT 200605011.jpg

| caption = Convey training with the United States Men's National Team

| fullname = Robert Francis Convey{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: United States |publisher=FIFA |page=32 |date=March 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610174527/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=June 10, 2019}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|5|27|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}

| position = Left winger

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 1999–2000

| youthclubs1 = IMG Soccer Academy

| years1 = 2000–2004

| clubs1 = D.C. United

| caps1 = 89

| goals1 = 8

| years2 = 2000

| clubs2 = → MLS Pro-40 (loan)

| caps2 = 2

| goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2004–2009

| clubs3 = Reading

| caps3 = 98

| goals3 = 7

| years4 = 2009–2011

| clubs4 = San Jose Earthquakes

| caps4 = 75

| goals4 = 3

| years5 = 2012–2013

| clubs5 = Sporting Kansas City

| caps5 = 19

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2013

| clubs6 = Toronto FC

| caps6 = 21

| goals6 = 1

| years7 = 2014

| clubs7 = New York Red Bulls

| caps7 = 13

| goals7 = 0

| totalcaps = 317

| totalgoals = 21

| nationalyears1 = 1999

| nationalteam1 = United States U17

| nationalcaps1 = 6

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2001–2003

| nationalteam2 = United States U20

| nationalcaps2 = 9

| nationalgoals2 = 2

| nationalyears3 = 2000–2008

| nationalteam3 = United States

| nationalcaps3 = 46

| nationalgoals3 = 1

| medaltemplates =

{{Medal|Country|{{USA}}}}

| club-update = 7 December 2014 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = December 7, 2014

}}

Robert Francis Convey ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɒ|n|v|i}}; born May 27, 1983) is an American former professional soccer player who last played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.

In addition to several MLS clubs, Convey spent five years in England with Reading, whom he helped gain promotion to the Premier League for the first time. He played in 46 international matches for the United States, and made their squads for the 2003 Gold Cup and 2006 World Cup.

Career

=Youth=

Convey attended the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia and played club soccer for the Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa.{{cite news|title=PSC COPPA:Coppa/Reading FC |publisher=PSC Coppa |date=September 13, 2006 |url=http://eteamz.active.com/psccoppaGB/news/index.cfm?cat=308320 |df=mdy }}{{dead link|date=December 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He was a member of the initial class of the Bradenton Academy that also included current and former national team members Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu and DaMarcus Beasley. Together they helped lead the Under-17 squad to a fourth-place finish in the 1999 U-17 World Cup in New Zealand.

=Professional=

==D.C. United==

Convey was drafted in 2000 in the first round by D.C. United of Major League Soccer. That year, he became the youngest player ever signed by MLS. Convey was originally slated to play the majority of the season with the Project-40 squad;{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/aleague/stats/2000/stats.uspstax.html|title=2000 Project 40|access-date=April 12, 2009|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629130233/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/aleague/stats/2000/stats.uspstax.html|url-status=dead}} however, as United faltered he was called upon to step in and perform almost immediately. He played 22 games for United in 2000, starting 18 of those. Convey entered his first game in United's 4–0 loss to Los Angeles Galaxy in the home opener at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium on March 25, 2000, and was awarded his first start in United's 2–1 loss at the Columbus Crew on May 3, 2000. It was not until July 4, 2000, against the Colorado Rapids that Convey served up Raúl Díaz Arce at the far post for a header past a helpless David Kramer. The teenager also was impressive against English Premier League side Newcastle United, when the Magpies visited D.C. during a pre-season training stint in the U.S. Convey's two assists and high work rate during that friendly were enough to draw the attention of Newcastle's famed manager Bobby Robson. In four and a half seasons in MLS, Convey finished with eight goals and 16 assists.

==Reading==

File:Bobby Convey, 19 April 2008 (cropped).jpg against Arsenal]]

Convey looked set to move to Tottenham Hotspur of the Premier League in the summer of 2003,{{cite news | date=August 13, 2003 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3149043.stm | title=Spurs agree Convey deal | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=January 5, 2008}} when the London club agreed to a $3 million move with MLS, but the transfer stalled when his work permit application was denied due to his lack of appearances with the senior national team.{{cite news | date=August 28, 2003 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3190155.stm | title=Spurs lose out on Convey | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=January 5, 2008}} Then, on July 22, 2004, after five seasons with D.C. United, Convey signed a three-year contract{{cite news | date=November 17, 2004 | url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~543638,00.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805214214/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~543638,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 5, 2012 | title=Bobby Convey factfile – everything you need to know about new signing | work=readingfc.co.uk | access-date=February 2, 2008 }} with Reading,{{cite news | date=July 23, 2004 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/reading/3919215.stm | title=Royals swoop for Convey | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=January 5, 2008}} who were then playing in the Championship. His transfer fee was around £900,000,{{cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/american-bobby-convey-left-reading-4242139|title=American Bobby Convey has left Reading FC|last=getreading|date=February 6, 2009}} the highest paid by Reading up to that date.

Convey made his debut for his new club in a 1–0 loss away to West Ham United, coming on as a substitute. He made his first start a few days later during a 1–0 Reading victory over Sheffield United on August 14, 2004. However, the start of his career in England lacked distinction, as Convey made only seven starts and 15 substitute appearances during the 2004–05 season.

Convey entered the 2005–06 season in much better form, with a starting place in the team, and he helped the Royals win the Championship title setting a new English record of 106 points in 46 games to gain promotion to the Premier League for the 2006–07 season. Convey's first goals for the club came during a 5–0 victory over Millwall.

Convey's first season in the Premier League started with Reading's 3–2 win over Middlesbrough on August 19, 2006.{{cite news | date=August 19, 2006 | url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~885161,00.html | title=Royals come back from two-nil down to beat Boro in first ever Premiership match | work=readingfc.co.uk | access-date=February 22, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927141613/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~885161%2C00.html | archive-date=September 27, 2008 | df=mdy-all }} However, Convey missed much of the remainder of the season following a training ground injury in October 2006 and subsequent knee operations.{{cite news | date=February 22, 2007 | url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~986080,00.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805115820/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~986080,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 5, 2012 | title=Convey likely to miss rest of the season | work=readingfc.co.uk | access-date=February 22, 2007 }}

He returned from injury on July 28, 2007, playing the first half in a pre-season friendly match against Brighton, appearing "comfortable and in good shape", according to the team's match report.{{cite news |date=July 29, 2007 |url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1080485,00.html |title=Lita hat-trick beats Brighton |work=readingfc.co.uk |access-date=July 29, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112185433/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1080485%2C00.html |archive-date=January 12, 2008 |df=mdy }} He returned to competitive football for Reading in the club's 1–0 victory over Everton on August 18, 2007.

On February 6, 2009, Convey and Reading reached a mutual agreement on Convey's release from the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1547512,00.html |title=Reading | News | Latest News | Latest News | Royals confirm Convey departure |access-date=2009-02-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312062251/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1547512%2C00.html |archive-date=March 12, 2009 |df=mdy }}{{Cite book |title=Reading releases Bobby Convey |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=616732&sec=americansabroad&cc=5901 |publisher=Associated Press |date=February 6, 2009 |access-date=February 9, 2009 |archive-date=February 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212120539/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=616732&sec=americansabroad&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}

==San Jose Earthquakes==

File:Aurélien Collin Bobby Convey Sporting KC v San Jose Earthquakes.jpg]]

Four days after being released by Reading, Convey returned to MLS, signing with the San Jose Earthquakes.{{Cite news|last=Almond |first=Elliott |title=Quakes seal deal with Convey |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11672294 |work=San Jose Mercury News |date=February 10, 2009 |access-date=February 10, 2009}} He scored his first goal for the Quakes on April 11, 2009, against the Chicago Fire, while playing left-back. In 2010, Convey recorded 10 assists and was given the MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award. After a fractious relationship with manager Frank Yallop, it was announced that Convey would not be returning to San Jose for the 2012 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/24/san-jose-make-it-official-convey-will-not-return-12|title=San Jose make it official: Convey will not return in '12|date=November 24, 2011|access-date=November 24, 2011|archive-date=August 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817063115/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/24/san-jose-make-it-official-convey-will-not-return-12|url-status=dead}} In his three seasons at the club, Convey appeared in 75 league matches and scored three goals.

==Sporting Kansas City==

On December 2, 2011, Sporting Kansas City announced that it had acquired Convey in exchange for use of an international roster slot during the 2012 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/12/sporting-kc-acquires-mf-bobby-convey-sj-earthquakes|title=Sporting KC acquires MF Bobby Convey from SJ Earthquakes|date=December 2, 2011|access-date=December 2, 2011|archive-date=January 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107150551/http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/12/sporting-kc-acquires-mf-bobby-convey-sj-earthquakes|url-status=dead}}

==Toronto FC==

On May 16, 2013, Toronto FC announced that it had acquired Convey from Sporting KC in exchange for a third round pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.{{cite news | date=May 16, 2013 | url=https://www.torontofc.ca/news/toronto-trades-bobby-convey | title=Toronto Trades For Bobby Convey | work=torontofc.ca | access-date=May 16, 2013 | archive-date=September 29, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929073401/http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2013/05/toronto-trades-bobby-convey | url-status=live }} In his only season in Toronto Convey appeared in 21 matches and tallied 1 goal and 4 assists.

==New York Red Bulls==

On December 13, 2013, Convey was traded to New York along with a 2014 MLS SuperDraft second-round pick in exchange for a 2014 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick and a 2016 MLS SuperDraft third-round pick.{{cite news | date=December 13, 2013 | url=http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2013/12/red-bulls-acquire-three-time-all-star-midfielder-bobby-convey-trade-toronto-fc | title=New York Acquires Bobby Convey | work=newyorkredbulls.com| access-date=December 13, 2013}}

After an injury-plagued 2014 season, Convey's 2015 contract option was declined by New York on December 2, 2014.{{cite news | date=December 2, 2014 | url=http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2014/12/red-bulls-announce-contract-options-not-being-exercised-2015-season | title=Red Bulls announce contract options not being exercised for 2015 season | work=newyorkredbulls.com| access-date=December 7, 2014}}

Convey subsequently retired without making an announcement, but in 2017, he claimed that he was suffering from Asthma attacks, which left him fighting for his life. On his Instagram account, he posted: "I retired from soccer and didn't really talk about it as it was just kind of forced upon me and extremely depressing at times...I have had 2 separate surgeries and 4 separate hospitalizations since I retired 2 seasons ago...This morning I was almost unconscious being physically carried out of my house to the ambulance by four firefighters to the hospital where they cut my clothes off to administer four breathing treatments and three separate steroid injections as my airways were completely closed up...The doctor said I was way too close this time."{{cite web |title=Bobby Convey on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BRKUL5phmWn-pnLB1yV4l7t9kNJ7POB6iB7xPc0/?hl=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BRKUL5phmWn-pnLB1yV4l7t9kNJ7POB6iB7xPc0 |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration|website=Instagram.com |publisher=Instagram |access-date=23 May 2020}}{{cbignore}}

=International=

Convey received his first cap for the senior United States team on October 25, 2000, against Mexico, becoming the third-youngest player in U.S. soccer history to do so. Convey captained the under-20 team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates. He was named to the 23-man squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, wearing number 15. It was his slicing free kick that resulted in the own goal against Italy which settled the outcome of the 1–1 draw. He and teammate Marcus Hahnemann were the first Reading players to play in the World Cup.{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Gary |title=First Tremors |url=http://www.metroactive.com/metro/03.18.09/sports-0911.html |work=Metro Silicon Valley |date=March 18–24, 2009 |access-date=March 20, 2009}} He played in all three games as the United States exited in the first round. Convey earned 46 caps and scored one goal for the United States national team from 2000 to 2008.{{NFT player|id=7137|name=Convey, Bobby|access-date=March 11, 2011}}

==International goals==

class="wikitable"

! Goal !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition

July 26, 2003

Miami, Florida

3–2

2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Personal life

Convey is totally blind in his left eye due to optic nerve damage.{{cite news|last=Soriano|first=César G.|date=April 16, 2006|title=All grown up, Convey eager to play for USA|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/national/2006-04-16-convey_x.htm|url-status=live|access-date=June 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060612151929/https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/national/2006-04-16-convey_x.htm|archive-date=June 12, 2006}}

Honors

;

;Reading

Football League Championship: 2005–06

;Sporting Kansas City

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: 2012

;Individual

CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI (Reserves): 2003
MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award: 2010

Career statistics

class="wikitable" Style="text-align: center"
rowspan="2"\|Club	rowspan="2"\|Season	colspan="3"\|League	colspan="2"\|Cup	colspan="2"\|League Cup	colspan="2"\|Other{{ref\|a\|1}}	colspan="2"\|Total
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="5"\|D.C. United	2000	MLS \|22	0 \|2	0 \|colspan="4"\|— \|24	0
2001	MLS \|12	1 \|1	0 \|colspan="4"\|— \|13	1
2002	MLS \|26	5 \|0	0 \|colspan="4"\|— \|26	5
2003	MLS \|19	2 \|1	0 \|colspan="2"\|— \|2	0 \|22	2
2004	MLS \|10	0 \|0	0 \|colspan="4"\|— \|10	0
colspan="3"\|D.C. United totals !89	8 !4	0 !colspan="2"\|— !2	0 !95	8
rowspan="5"\|Reading	2004–05	Championship \|18	0 \|2	0 \|2	0 \|colspan="2"\|— \|22	0
2005–06	Championship \|45	7 \|0	0 \|0	0 \|colspan="2"\|— \|45	7
2006–07	Premier League \|9	0 \|3	0 \|0	0 \|colspan="2"\|— \|12	0
2007–08	Premier League \|20	0 \|2	0 \|2	1 \|colspan="2"\|— \|24	1
2008–09	Championship \|6	0 \|1	0 \|2	0 \|colspan="2"\|— \|9	0
colspan="3"\|Reading F.C. totals !98	7 !8	0 !6	1 !colspan="2"\|— !112	8
rowspan="3"\|San Jose Earthquakes	2009	MLS \|26	1 \|1	0 \|colspan="4"\|— \|27	1
2010	MLS \|28	1 \|1	0 \|colspan="2"\|— \|3	2 \|32	3
2011	MLS \|21	1 \|0	0 \|colspan="4"\|— \|21	1
colspan="3"\|San Jose Earthquakes totals !75	3 !2	0 !colspan="2"\|— !3	2 !80	5
rowspan="2"\|Sporting Kansas City	2012	MLS \|16	1 \|0	0 \|colspan="2"\|— \|1	0 \|17	1
2013	MLS \|3	0 \|0	0 \|colspan="4"\|— \|3	0
colspan="3"\|Sporting Kansas City totals !19	1 !0	0 !colspan="2"\|— !1	0 !20	1
Toronto FC	2013	MLS \|21	1 \|0	0 \|colspan="4"\|— \|21	0
New York Red Bulls	2014	MLS \|13	0 \|1	0 \|colspan="4"\|— \|14	0
colspan="3"\|Career totals !315	20 !15	0 !6	1 !6	2 !342	23

class="wikitable" Style="text-align: center"

rowspan="2"|Club

rowspan="2"|Season

colspan="3"|League

colspan="2"|Cup

colspan="2"|League Cup

colspan="2"|Other{{ref|a|1}}

colspan="2"|Total

Division

Apps

Goals

Apps