Chris Toth

{{Short description|American beach and indoor soccer goalkeeper}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Chris Toth

| full_name = Christopher Zoltan Toth

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|8|4}}

| birth_place = San Diego, California, U.S.

| height = 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)

| position = Goalkeeper

| currentclub = Tacoma Stars

| youthclubs1 = Fallbrook High School

| years1 = 2008–2018

| clubs1 = San Diego Sockers

| years2 = 2018–2020

| clubs2 = Ontario Fury

| years3 = 2022-2023

| clubs3 = Empire Strykers

| nationalyears1 = 2013–

| nationalteam1 = United States (beach soccer)

| nationalcaps1 = 103

| nationalgoals1 =

| caps3 = 22

| caps2 = 61

| caps1 = 89

| clubs4 = Tacoma Stars

| caps4 = 28

| goals4 = 361 saves

| years4 = 2020–

| goals1 = 1,157 saves

| goals2 = 746 saves

| goals3 = 301 saves

}}

Christopher Zoltan Toth (born August 4, 1989) is an American soccer goalkeeper who plays for the Tacoma Stars in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) and the United States beach soccer team. He has represented the U.S. in multiple FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups and is a five-time MASL Goalkeeper of the Year.

Early life

Christopher Zoltan Toth was born on August 4, 1989, in San Diego, California. He was diagnosed at birth with transposition of the great arteries, a congenital heart defect requiring two surgeries, one as an infant and another during high school, to correct reversed pulmonary and aortic arteries.{{Cite web |title=Chris Toth: Third Generation Goalkeeper at the Top of the Game |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2021/05/chris-toth-third-generation-goalkeeper-at-the-top-of-the-game?utm |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.ussoccer.com |language=en}} Despite medical advice against sports, Toth pursued soccer, inspired by his family’s goalkeeping legacy. His grandfather, Gyorgy Toth, played for Hungary alongside Ferenc Puskás, his father, Zoltan Toth, was a hall-of-fame indoor goalkeeper for the San Diego Sockers, and his grandmother was a handball goalkeeper. Toth attended Fallbrook High School, earning all-county honors as a junior and senior and selection to the North County All-Stars in his senior year.

Career

=Beach soccer=

Toth debuted for the United States men's national beach soccer team in 2013 at the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiti, where he made significant saves in a 5–3 extra-time loss to host Tahiti, describing it as his career highlight.{{Cite web |title=USA Captures 2013 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship with 5-4 Overtime Victory Against El Salvador |url=https://www.usbeachsoccer.greenlevadait.com/index.php/news/international-news/119-usa-captures-2013-concacaf-beach-soccer-championship-with-5-4-overtime-victory-against-el-salvador.html |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.usbeachsoccer.greenlevadait.com}} In the 2024 World Cup in Dubai, Toth captained the U.S. team, made 18 saves, and scored a goal against the UAE, though the team failed to advance from the group stage. He also competed in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship (2013, 2015,{{Cite web |last= |date=2015-04-02 |title=Video: Beach soccer masterclass from the USA |url=https://talksport.com/football/259387/americas-got-talent-beach-soccer-masterclass-usa-150402141970/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}} 2017,{{Cite web |date=2017-02-20 |title=News: GK Chris Toth Called to US Beach National Team for 2017 CONCACAF Championships - San Diego Sockers |url=https://www.sdsockers.com/news/gk-chris-toth-called-to-us-beach-national-team-for |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.sdsockers.com |language=en}} 2019{{Cite web |title=Patient USA ready to impress on global stage |url=https://inside.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/beachsoccerworldcup/paraguay2019/news/usa-back-beach-soccer-world-cup |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250422025816/https://inside.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/beachsoccerworldcup/paraguay2019/news/usa-back-beach-soccer-world-cup |archive-date=2025-04-22 |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=inside.fifa.com |language=en}}), winning Golden Gloves awards for best goalkeeper in multiple tournaments, including 2013, and scored in a 7–3 quarterfinal win over Jamaica in 2015.{{Cite web |title=Chris Toth: Third Generation Goalkeeper at the Top of the Game |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2021/05/chris-toth-third-generation-goalkeeper-at-the-top-of-the-game?utm |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.ussoccer.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Chris Toth Exclusive: From Heart Surgery To A World Cup |url=https://goalkeeper.com/news-and-media/exclusives/post/chris-toth-exclusive-interview |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Goalkeeper.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=USA advances to semifinals of Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship |url=https://www.soccerwire.com/news/usa-advances-to-semifinals-of-concacaf-beach-soccer-championship/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=SoccerWire |language=en}} He has earned over 100 caps, including appearances in the 2013, 2019, 2021, and 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups.{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2023 |title=Toth: The crazier it is, the more I come alive |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/chris-toth-interview-usa-indoor-beach-soccer-world-cup-uae-dubai-2024 |url-status=live |website=Fifa.com}}{{Cite web |title=Christopher Zoltan Toth |url=https://beachsoccer.com/player/christopher-zoltan-toth?srsltid=AfmBOopYKmVC272Zxw-LxjTHH92KcTQzjFensTf9_oXgfRh5GOQoZhCV |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Beach Soccer Worldwide |language=en-US}}

=Indoor soccer=

Toth began his professional indoor soccer career with the San Diego Sockers in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) in 2008, playing alongside his father, Zoltan, who coached his development.{{Cite web |title=CHRIS TOTH BIOGRAPHY Aviata Goalkeeping Chris Toth Goalkeeper Gloves |url=https://www.aviatasports.com/pages/chris-toth-biography-aviata-goalkeeping-chris-toth-goalkeeper-gloves |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Aviata Sports - Goalkeeping Specialists |language=en}} He won three MASL championships with the Sockers and was named to the All-PASL Honorable Mention in 2013–14 after posting a 12–3 record and a .735 save percentage.{{Cite web |last=Leonard |first=Tod |date=2017-03-10 |title=Toth keeps Sockers goalkeeping legacy alive |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2017/03/10/toth-keeps-sockers-goalkeeping-legacy-alive/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}} In 2018, Toth joined the Ontario Fury, seeking more starting opportunities, and won MASL Player of the Week honors in 2020 after a 7–3 victory over the Milwaukee Wave. Since 2020, he has played for the Tacoma Stars, earning his fourth MASL Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2024 with 15 wins in 21 starts and 276 saves.{{Cite web |date=2018-03-25 |title=News: Chris Toth Named MASL Goalkeeper Of The Year - San Diego Sockers |url=https://www.sdsockers.com/news/chris-toth-named-masl-goalkeeper-of-the-year |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.sdsockers.com |language=en}} Toth earned his fifth Goalkeeper of the year in 2025.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Toth named MASL goalkeeper of the year for 2024-25 |url=https://www.villagenews.com/story/2025/05/15/sports/toth-named-masl-goalkeeper-of-the-year-for-2024-25/78846.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 24, 2025 |website=Village News |language=en}} Toth holds the MASL all-time saves record with 2,150, surpassing Danny Waltman in 2023. He has also scored goals and recorded assists, showcasing his versatility as a goalkeeper.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Toth named MASL goalkeeper of the year for 2024-25 |url=https://www.villagenews.com/story/2025/05/15/sports/toth-named-masl-goalkeeper-of-the-year-for-2024-25/78846.html?utm |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Village News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=News: CHRIS TOTH: CAREER SAVES LEADER - Major Arena Soccer League |url=https://www.maslsoccer.com/news/chris-toth-career-saves-leader |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.maslsoccer.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Freund |first=Jason |date=2018-12-21 |title=Sockers Overcome Fury and Former Goalkeeper Chris Toth 4-2 |url=https://eastvillagetimes.com/sockers-overcome-fury-and-former-goalkeeper-chris-toth-4-2/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=East Village Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Toth faces Sockers in Oceanside |url=https://www.villagenews.com/story/2025/01/09/sports/toth-faces-sockers-in-oceanside/77842.html |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Village News |language=en}}

In 2011, Toth trained with Hungarian clubs Újpest FC, Egri FC, and Győr ETO FC.{{Cite web |title=Chris Toth |url=https://www.cardiffsockers.org/chris-toth |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Cardiff Sockers |language=en-US}}

Coaching

He provides goalkeeping training for youth clubs, including Cardiff Sockers and Rancho Santa Fe, mentoring young players.

Statistics

= MASL and PASL goalkeeping statistics. =

class="wikitable"

!Year

!League

!Team

!GP

!min

!W

!L

!GA

!GAA

!Shots Faced

!Saves

!CS

!Save %

2010–11

|PASL

|San Diego Sockers

|3

|180:35

|3

|0

|18

|6.00

|53

|35

|0

|.660

2011–12

|PASL

|San Diego Sockers

|8

|371:00

|6

|0

|20

|3.23

|113

|93

|0

|.823

2012–13

|PASL

|San Diego Sockers

|7

|390:00

|6

|0

|25

|3.85

|111

|86

|0

|.775

2013–14

|PASL

|San Diego Sockers

|15

|908:23

|12

|3

|74

|4.89

|279

|205

|0

|.735

2014–15

|MASL

|San Diego Sockers

|15

|891:25

|12

|3

|68

|4.58

|249

|181

|0

|.727

2015–16

|MASL

|San Diego Sockers

|18

|1066:28

|11

|7

|101

|5.68

|348

|247

|0

|.710

2016–17

|MASL

|San Diego Sockers

|11

|656:00

|9

|2

|40

|3.66

|216

|176

|0

|.815

2017–18

|MASL

|San Diego Sockers

|12

|711:00

|10

|2

|45

|3.80

|179

|134

|1

|.749

2018–19

|MASL

|24

|1487:00

|11

|13

|116

|4.68

|420

|304

|0

|.724

2019–20

|MASL

|18

|1037:00

|11

|7

|82

|4.74

|314

|232

|1

|.739

2020–21

|MASL

|7

|387:00

|3

|3

|34

|5.27

|119

|85

|0

|.714

2021–22

|MASL

|19

|905:00

|6

|8

|79

|5.24

|289

|210

|0

|.727

2022–23

|MASL

|Empire Strykers

|22

|1263:00

|12

|9

|106

|5.04

|407

|301

|0

|.740

2023–24

|MASL

|21

|1218:00

|15

|4

|114

|5.62

|390

|276

|0

|.708

2024–25*

|MASL

|19

| -

| -

| -

| -

| -

| -

|279

|

|.752

Career

|

|

|200

|11,472

|127

|61

|922

|~4.82

|3,487

|2,565

|2

|.736

*Statistical update needed for the 2024–2025 season

= MASL and PASL scoring statistics. =

class="wikitable"

!Year

!League

!Team

!GP

!GS

!G

!A

!Pts

!PIM

!FC

!Shts

2010–11

|PASL

|San Diego Sockers

|3

|0

|0

|0

|0

|2

|0

|0

2011–12

|PASL

|San Diego Sockers

|8

|0

|0

|3

|3

|0

|2

|1

2012–13

|PASL

|San Diego Sockers

|7

|0

|0

|3

|3

|0

|1

|0

2013–14

|PASL

|San Diego Sockers

|15

|0

|0

|4

|4

|0

|0

|0

2014–15

|MASL

|San Diego Sockers

|15

|0

|0

|1

|1

|2

|0

|0

2015–16

|MASL

|San Diego Sockers

|18

|0

|0

|0

|0

|

|0

|0

2016–17

|MASL

|San Diego Sockers

|11

|0

|0

|2

|2

|0

|0

|0

2017–18

|MASL

|San Diego Sockers

|12

|0

|0

|6

|6

|0

|0

|0

2018–19

|MASL

|24

|0

|1

|4

|5

|12

|0

|0

2019–20

|MASL

|18

|0

|0

|5

|5

|7

|0

|0

2020–21

|MASL

|7

|0

|0

|0

|0

|4:00

|0

|0

2021–22

|MASL

|19

|0

|1

|3

|0

|0:00

|0

|0

2022–23

|MASL

|Empire Strykers

|22

|0

|0

|3

|0

|0:00

|0

|0

2023–24

|MASL

|21

|0

|1

|6

|0

|4:00

|0

|0

Totals

|

|

|200

|0

|3

|40

|29

|31

|3

|1

Total Appearances: 200

Total Saves: 2,565

{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=Chris Toth statistics |url=https://www.statscrew.com/soccer/stats/p-tothchr001 |url-status=live |archive-url=}}

= Beach Soccer =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! Competition !! Tournament !! Games !! Goals !! Assists !GS
Beach WC	Beach Soccer World Cup 2013	?	?	? \|?
Beach WC	Beach Soccer World Cup 2019	3	1	0 \|?
Beach WC	Beach Soccer World Cup 2021	3	0	2 \|?
Mundialito	Mundialito Praia 2022	3	1	1 \|?
Beach WC	Beach Soccer World Cup 2024	3	1	0 \|

Personal life

Toth resides in San Marcos, California, and is known for his dedication to training, often arriving first and leaving last at practice. His father, Zoltan Toth, has been his primary goalkeeping coach. Toth was born with a congenital heart defect, he underwent two surgeries to correct the condition, enabling his professional career.{{Cite web |title=Chris Toth Exclusive: From Heart Surgery To A World Cup |url=https://goalkeeper.com/news-and-media/exclusives/post/chris-toth-exclusive-interview |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Goalkeeper.com |language=en}}

Honors

=Beach soccer=

CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship Golden Gloves: 2013.{{Cite web |last=OsideNews |title=Former Fallbrook High Player, Chris Toth Shines in 3rd year with San Diego Sockers |url=https://www.northcoastcurrent.com/local-sports-news-for-oceanside-california/2017/01/former-fallbrook-high-player-chris-toth-shines-3rd-year-san-diego-sockers/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=North Coast Current}}

=Indoor soccer=

MASL All-Time Saves Leader: Surpassed the previous record with his 1,934th save on December 30, 2023.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=News: CHRIS TOTH: CAREER SAVES LEADER - Major Arena Soccer League |url=https://www.maslsoccer.com/news/chris-toth-career-saves-leader |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.maslsoccer.com |language=en}}
MASL Goalkeeper of the Year: Five-time recipient (2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2023–24, 2024–2025), the only player to win with three different teams.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-15 |title=News: CHRIS TOTH NAMED MASL GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR - Tacoma Stars |url=https://www.tacomastars.com/news/chris-toth-named-masl-goalkeeper-of-the-year#:~:text=%E2%80%93%20Tacoma%20Stars%20goalkeeper%20Chris%20Toth,Ejimadu%20and%20Chihuahua's%20Diego%20Reynoso. |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.tacomastars.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-15 |title=News: CHRIS TOTH NAMED MASL GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR - Tacoma Stars |url=https://www.tacomastars.com/news/chris-toth-named-masl-goalkeeper-of-the-year |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.tacomastars.com |language=en}}
MASL Championship: 3 times (with San Diego Sockers).
All-PASL: 2013–14.
MASL: Elite 6 team {{Cite web |date=2025-01-03 |title=News: 25 for 25 - Major Arena Soccer League |url=https://www.maslsoccer.com/news/25-for-25 |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.maslsoccer.com |language=en}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Toth, Chris}}

Category:Living people

Category:American men's soccer players

Category:American beach soccer players

Category:Major Arena Soccer League players

Category:Tacoma Stars players

Category:Sportspeople from California

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

[https://www.statscrew.com/soccer/stats/p-tothchr001 Chris Toth PASL/MASL career stats]
[https://www.facebook.com/officialussoccer/videos/2572120183017796/ Heart condition]

Category:People from San Diego County, California