Elliot Collier
{{short description|New Zealand footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Elliot Collier
| image = CINvIND 2018-09-29 - Elliot Collier (30243479377) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Collier with Indy Eleven in 2018
| fullname = Elliot Collier
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|2|22|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Hamilton, New Zealand
| height = {{height|m=1.93}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Indy Eleven
| clubnumber = 18
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Olé Football Academy
| collegeyears1 = 2014–2017
| college1 = Loyola Ramblers
| collegecaps1 = 69
| collegegoals1 = 15
| years1 = 2012
| clubs1 = Hamilton Wanderers
| caps1 = ?
| goals1 = 8
| years2 = 2012–2013
| clubs2 = Waikato United
| caps2 = 2
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2013
| clubs3 = Island Bay United
| caps3 = 19
| goals3 = 16
| years4 = 2016
| clubs4 = Chicago FC United
| caps4 = 8
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2017
| clubs5 = Michigan Bucks
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2018–2021
| clubs6 = Chicago Fire
| caps6 = 54
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2018
| clubs7 = → Indy Eleven (loan)
| caps7 = 11
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2019
| clubs8 = → Memphis 901 (loan)
| caps8 = 26
| goals8 = 6
| years9 = 2022
| clubs9 = San Antonio FC
| caps9 = 23
| goals9 = 4
| years10 = 2023
| clubs10 = San Diego Loyal
| caps10 = 23
| goals10 = 2
| years11 = 2024–
| clubs11 = Indy Eleven
| caps11 = 35
| goals11 = 5
| nationalyears1 = 2019–
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalteam1 = New Zealand
| club-update = 29 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 21 November 2024
}}
Elliot Collier (born 22 February 1995) is a New Zealand professional soccer player who plays as a forward for USL Championship club Indy Eleven and the New Zealand national team.
Club career
= Semi-professional & college (2012–2017) =
After spending time in his native New Zealand playing semi-professionally with Hamilton Wanderers, Waikato United and Island Bay United, Collier moved to the United States to play college soccer at Loyola University Chicago. Collier played four years with the Ramblers, scoring 15 goals and tallying 11 assists in 69 appearances.{{cite web |url=https://loyolaramblers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=171|title=Elliot Collier - 2016 Men's Soccer Roster - Loyola University Chicago|website=loyolaramblers.com|publisher=Loyola University Chicago}}
Collier also appeared for USL PDL sides Chicago FC United and Michigan Bucks.{{cite web |url=https://www.uslpdl.com/2016-stats|title=2016 Stats|website=uslpdl.com|publisher=USL PDL|accessdate=11 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017082146/https://www.uslpdl.com/2016-stats|archive-date=17 October 2018|url-status=dead}}
= Chicago Fire (2018–2021) =
On 21 January 2018, Collier was selected with the 49th overall pick of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire.{{cite web|url=https://www.loyolaramblers.com/news/2018/1/21/mens-soccer-elliot-collier-selected-by-chicago-fire-in-mls-superdraft.aspx|title=Elliot Collier Selected By Chicago Fire In MLS SuperDraft – Loyola University Chicago|website=loyolaramblers.com|publisher=Loyola University Chicago|date=21 January 2018}} Collier signed with the club on 28 February 2018.{{cite web|url=https://loyolaramblers.com/news/2018/2/28/mens-soccer-elliot-collier-signs-contract-with-chicago-fire.aspx|title=Elliot Collier Signs Contract With Chicago Fire - Loyola University Chicago |website=loyolaramblers.com |publisher=Loyola University Chicago|date=28 February 2018}}
Collier made his professional debut on 10 March 2018 as an 88th-minute substitute during a 3–4 loss to Sporting Kansas City.{{cite web |url=https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-03-10-chicago-fire-vs-sporting-kansas-city/boxscore |title=Boxscore: Chicago Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City |website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=10 March 2018|accessdate=11 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311081305/https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-03-10-chicago-fire-vs-sporting-kansas-city/boxscore |archive-date=11 March 2018 |url-status=dead }}
Collier made 16 appearances for the Fire in his debut season, scoring one goal and making one assist.{{Cite web |title=Elliot Collier |publisher=Chicago Fire FC |url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/players/elliot-collier/stats/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |language=en}}
== Loan to Indy Eleven (2018) ==
On 10 August 2018, Collier joined USL Championship club Indy Eleven on loan for the remainder of the 2018 season.{{Cite web |title=Chicago Fire Forward Elliot Collier and Midfielder Diego Campos join Indy Eleven on loan |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2018/08/10/chicago-fire-forward-elliot-collier-and-midfielder-diego-campos-join-indy-eleven-on-loan/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}} Collier made 11 appearances for the Eleven, including five starts, and scored one goal.{{Cite web |title=Indy Eleven Announces Return of FW Elliot Collier |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/01/17/indy-eleven-announces-return-of-fw-elliot-collier/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}}
== Loan to Memphis 901 FC (2019) ==
Collier was loaned to USL Championship club Memphis 901 FC in his second full year with the Fire. Collier made 26 total appearances for Memphis, scoring six goals including the club's first ever competitive goal in a 1–1 draw at Loudoun United on 16 March and the club's first hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over Hartford Athletic on 6 July.{{Cite web |title=Memphis 901 FC 1-1 Loudoun United FC (Mar 16, 2019) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/531564 |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=ESPN |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Memphis 901 FC 4-1 Hartford Athletic (Jul 6, 2019) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/531275 |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=ESPN |language=en}}
== Return to Chicago (2020–2021) ==
Collier returned to his parent club at the conclusion of the 2019 season, signing a new contract under new head coach Raphaël Wicky.{{Cite web |last=McCraney |first=Patrick |date=2020-02-14 |title=The crazy story of how Elliot Collier fought his way back to the Chicago Fire |url=https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2020/2/14/21137222/chicago-fire-elliot-collier-profile |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=Hot Time In Old Town |language=en}} Collier would make 21 appearances, including two starts, for the MLS club in the 2020 season.
Collier returned with the Fire for the 2021 MLS season, making 17 appearances, including three starts. Collier's contract option was declined by Chicago and he was released by the club at the conclusion of the 2021 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/chicago-fire-fc-announce-2021-roster-decisions|title=Chicago Fire FC Announce 2021 Roster Decisions | Chicago Fire FC|website=chicagofirefc}}
= San Antonio FC (2022) =
Collier signed with San Antonio FC in the USL Championship on 7 January 2022.{{cite web |title=SAN ANTONIO FC SIGNS FORWARD ELLIOT COLLIER |url=https://www.sanantoniofc.com/news_article/show/1201929 |website=SanAntonioFC.com |access-date=7 January 2022 |archive-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107170726/https://www.sanantoniofc.com/news_article/show/1201929 |url-status=dead }} Collier made 25 total appearances for San Antonio, scoring four league goals and one in the U.S. Open Cup. Collier made one substitute playoffs appearance for San Antonio, coming on in the 97th minute of the team's 3–1 victory over Louisville City in the final.{{Cite web |title=Match Center {{!}} USLChampionship.com |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/sanantoniofc-louisvillecityfc-2336365 |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=www.uslchampionship.com |language=en-us}} Collier was released by San Antonio at the end of the 2022 season.
= San Diego Loyal (2023) =
On 27 December 2022, it was announced that Collier would play the 2023 season with San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sdloyal.com/news/2022/12/27/sd-loyal-signs-forward-elliot-collier/|title=SD Loyal Signs Forward Elliot Collier}} Collier ended the season with two goals and three assists, with San Diego in third in the Western Conference, qualifying for the playoffs.
= Return to Indy Eleven (2024–present) =
Collier returned to Indy Eleven on 17 January 2024 ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season.{{cite web |title=Indy Eleven Announces Return of FW Elliot Collier |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/01/17/indy-eleven-announces-return-of-fw-elliot-collier/ |website=IndyEleven.com |publisher=Indy Eleven |access-date=17 January 2024}} He made his second debut for the club on 9 March in the club's season opening 2–1 defeat at Oakland Roots, replacing fellow debutant Karsen Henderlong in the 66th minute.{{Cite web |title=Recap - OAK 2:1 IND |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/03/10/indy-eleven-falls-in-season-opener-at-oakland/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}} Collier scored his first goal of the 2024 season on 4 May in a 1–0 victory over Monterey Bay FC.{{Cite web |title=Recap – MB 0:1 IND |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/05/05/recap-mb-ind/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}} Collier scored his second goal of the season on 5 July in a 3–3 away draw against Rhode Island FC.{{Cite web |title=Rhode Island 3-3 Indy XI (Jul 5, 2024) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/692000/indy-eleven-rhode-island-fc |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=ESPN |language=en}} He ended the season with 37 total appearances, including in Indy Eleven's playoff defeat to Rhode Island FC and their historic semifinal appearance in the U.S. Open Cup.{{Cite web |title=Rhode Island 3-2 Indy XI (Nov 3, 2024) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/722856/rhode-island-fc-indy-eleven |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=ESPN |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Kansas City 2-0 Indy XI (Aug 27, 2024) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/715041/indy-eleven-sporting-kansas-city |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=ESPN |language=en}} On 20 November 2024, Indy Eleven announced that Collier would remain with the team for a second season.{{Cite web |title=Indy Eleven Announces Returnees for 2025 |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/11/20/indy-eleven-announces-returnees-for-2025/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}}
International career
Collier was born in New Zealand to an English mother and Kiwi father, and was eligible to represent both national teams. Collier received his first call-up to the New Zealand men's national team in November 2019 and made his international debut in a 3–1 friendly defeat to the Republic of Ireland on 14 November 2019, replacing winger Callum McCowatt in the 85th minute.{{Cite web |title=Republic of Ireland 3-1 New Zealand (Nov 14, 2019) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/535545 |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=ESPN |language=en}}
Collier made his first start for New Zealand in a 1–0 friendly defeat to Lithuania on 17 November 2019.{{Cite web |title=Lithuania 1-0 New Zealand (Nov 17, 2019) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/551566 |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=ESPN |language=en}}
Personal life
Collier was a close friend and teammate of New Zealand futsal player Atta Elayyan, who was murdered in the Christchurch mosque shootings on 15 March 2019.{{Cite web |title=Christchurch shootings: Elliot Collier's letter to slain team-mate Atta Elayyan |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/111417381/christchurch-shootings-elliot-colliers-letter-to-slain-teammate-atta-elayyan |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}} Collier wore a black armband in remembrance of Elayyan in a 1–1 draw with Loudoun United the next day while on loan at Memphis 901 FC. Collier scored for Memphis, the first goal in the club's history, and later dedicated the goal to Elayyan.
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played 28 May 2025.}}{{Soccerway|elliott-collier/280341|accessdate=January 4, 2021}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|Playoffs ! colspan="2" |League Cup ! colspan="2" |Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
!Apps !Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="2" |WaiBOP
|2 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |— | 2 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2" |Total
!2 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !2 !0 | ||||||||
| rowspan="2" |Island Bay United
|2013 |19 |16 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |19 |16 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!19 !16 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !19 !16 | ||||||||
| rowspan="2" |Chicago FC United
|2016 |8 |2 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |8 |2 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!8 !2 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !8 !2 | ||||||||
| rowspan="2" |Michigan Bucks
|2017 |0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |— | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2" |Total
!0 !0 !1 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !1 !0 | ||||||||
| rowspan="5" |Chicago Fire
|2018 | rowspan="4" |Major League Soccer |16 | 1 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |— | 17 | 2 | ||
| 2019
|0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2020
|21 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |— | 21 | 0 | |||
| 2021
|17 |0 | colspan="2" |Cancelled due to COVID-19 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |17 |0 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!54 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0
!0 !0 | 55 | 2 | |
| rowspan="2" |Indy Eleven (loan)
|2018 |11 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | 1 | 0
| colspan="2" |— | 12 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2" |Total
!11 !1 !0 !0 !1 !0 !0 !0 !12 !1 | ||||||||
| rowspan="2" |Memphis 901 (loan)
|2019 |26 | 6 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |— | 29 | 7 | ||
| colspan="2" |Total
!26 !6 !3 !1 !0 !0 !0 !0 !29 !7 | ||||||||
| rowspan="2" |San Antonio FC
|2022 |22 |4 |2 |1 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |25 |5 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!22 !4 !2 !1 !1 !0 !0 !0 !25 !5 | ||||||||
| rowspan="2" |San Diego Loyal
|2023 |23 |2 |2 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |25 |2 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!23 !2 !2 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !25 !2 | ||||||||
| rowspan="3" |Indy Eleven
|2024 |31 |5 |5 |0 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |37 |5 | ||||||||
| 2025
|4 |0 |2 |0 |0 |0 |2 |0 |8 |0 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!35 !5 !7 !0 !1 !0 !2 !0 !45 !5 | ||||||||
| colspan="3" |Career total
!200 | 37 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 0
!2 !0 | 221 | 40 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{MLS player|elliot-collier}}
- {{USL player|elliot-collier}}
{{Indy Eleven squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Collier, Elliot}}
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Chicago FC United players
Category:Chicago Fire FC draft picks
Category:Chicago Fire FC players
Category:Memphis 901 FC players
Category:Loyola Ramblers men's soccer players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Flint City Bucks players
Category:San Antonio FC players
Category:San Diego Loyal SC players
Category:New Zealand men's association footballers
Category:New Zealand men's international footballers
Category:Association footballers from Hamilton, New Zealand
Category:USL League Two players
Category:New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:New Zealand expatriate men's association footballers