Michael DeShields

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Michael DeShields

| fullname = Michael Dominic DeShields

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|04|23}}

| birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, United States

| height = 1.85 m

| position = Defender

| currentclub = Charlotte Independence

| clubnumber = 23

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Baltimore Celtic

| collegeyears1 = 2018–2020

| college1 = Wake Forest Demon Deacons

| collegecaps1 = 60

| collegegoals1 = 3

| years1 = 2019

| clubs1 = Treasure Coast Tritons

| caps1 = 7

| goals1 = 1

| years2 = 2021

| clubs2 = New England Revolution II

| caps2 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2021

| clubs3 = D.C. United

| caps3 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2021

| clubs4 = → Loudoun United (loan)

| caps4 = 14

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2022

| clubs5 = New England Revolution II

| caps5 = 17

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2023–2024

| clubs6 = Pittsburgh Riverhounds

| caps6 = 13

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2024

| clubs7 = Hartford Athletic

| caps7 = 8

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2025–

| clubs8 = Charlotte Independence

| caps8 = 0

| goals8 = 0

| club-update = November 1, 2024

}}

Michael Dominic DeShields (born April 23, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender who currently plays for USL League One side Charlotte Independence.

Career

=Early life=

DeShields was born in Baltimore, Maryland and attended the McDonogh School. In 2015 he led the school's varsity soccer team as it accomplished a 21-0-1 record and won the MIAA Class A State Championship. For his efforts, DeShields was honored as Maryland Boys' Soccer Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015.{{cite web |title=Maryland Boys Soccer POY: Michael DeShields |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2016/gatorade-maryland-boys-soccer-poy-michael-deshields |website=USA TODAY |access-date=8 February 2021 |date=11 February 2016}} After graduating from McDonough, he went to college at Wake Forest University, joining their soccer team.{{cite web |title=Michael DeShields - 2019 Men's Soccer Roster |url=https://godeacs.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/michael-deshields/5127 |website=Wake Forest University Athletics |access-date=8 February 2021 |language=en}} DeShields was also part of the Baltimore Celtic academy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/us_youth_soccer_a_common_thread_among_gatorade_state_players_of_the_year_honorees_/|title=US Youth Soccer a common thread among Gatorade State Players of the Year honorees | US Youth Soccer|website=www.usyouthsoccer.org}}

In 2019, DeShields also appeared in the USL League Two for Treasure Coast Tritons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/31844139|title=North County United | uslleaguetwo.com|website=www.uslleaguetwo.com}}

=Professional=

On November 30, 2020, DeShields signed a contract with the New England Revolution II in USL League One while finishing his college career at Wake Forest.{{cite web |last1=Czarda |first1=Stephen |title=Michael DeShields Signs with New England Revolution II |url=https://godeacs.com/news/2020/11/30/mens-soccer-michael-deshields-signs-with-new-england-revolution-ii.aspx |website=Wake Forest University Athletics |access-date=7 February 2021 |language=en |date=30 November 2020}} However, he did not appear on their roster, as the league's season was already over and DeShields entered the 2021 MLS SuperDraft from Wake Forest. He was selected in the first round with the fifth overall pick by D.C. United. Under MLS rules, D.C. United would either have to make him an offer, or his rights would default back to the Revolution II.

On February 5, 2021, DeShields officially signed with D.C. United.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=February 5, 2021|title=D.C. United Sign Defender Michael DeShields|url=https://www.dcunited.com/post/2021/02/05/dc-united-sign-defender-michael-deshields|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=February 7, 2021|website=mlssoccer.com}}

On May 18, 2021, DeShields made his professional debut, appearing as a half-time substitute for D.C. United's USL Championship side Loudoun United during a 2–1 loss to New York Red Bulls II.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/loudoununitedfc-newyorkredbullsii-2197974|title=Loudoun United FC vs. New York Red Bulls II - May 18, 2021 | USLChampionship.com|website=www.uslchampionship.com}} DeShields made his first start for Loudoun on May 29, in a 1–0 win over New Mexico United.{{Cite web|last=Lukat|first=Carl|date=May 30, 2021|title=Loudoun United earns first win of 2021 season|url=https://www.loudountimes.com/sports/loudoun-united-earns-first-win-of-2021-season/article_f416dd76-c14c-11eb-8084-074cae4abb86.html|access-date=July 12, 2021|website=Loudoun Times}}

Following the 2021 season, DeShields was released by D.C. United.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/chicago-fire-first-team-to-announce-offseason-departures|title=DC United's transformation under Hernan Losada continues with roster update | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}}

DeShields rejoined New England Revolution II on February 4, 2022, ahead of their inaugural MLS Next Pro season.{{cite web |title=Revolution II sign four players to MLS NEXT Pro roster ahead of the 2022 season |url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/revolution-ii-sign-four-players-to-mls-next-pro-roster-ahead-of-the-2022-season |website=RevolutionSoccer.net |access-date=6 February 2022}} Following the 2022 season, his option was declined by New England.{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/new-england-revolution-ii-year-end-roster-update|title=New England Revolution II Year-End Roster Update | New England Revolution|website=revolutionsoccer.net}}

On February 28, 2023, DeShields joined USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds.{{Cite web|url=https://www.riverhounds.com/news/2023/02/28/hounds-announce-three-etou-deshields-lopez/|title=Three new signings announced Tuesday}}

On June 19, 2024, DeShields joined fellow USL club Hartford Athletic after getting minimal game time in the first half of the 2024 Riverhounds season.{{Cite web |title=Hartford Athletic Acquire Michael DeShields From Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC via Transfer |url=https://www.hartfordathletic.com/news/2024/06/19/hartford-athletic-acquire-michael-deshields-from-pittsburgh-riverhounds-sc-via-transfer/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Hartford Athletic |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Michael DeShields |url=https://www.hartfordathletic.com/roster/michael-deshields/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Hartford Athletic |language=en-US}}

On February 20, 2024, DeShields signed with USL League One side Charlotte Independence.https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1332069

=International=

On January 27, 2021, DeShields was called up to the senior Trinidad and Tobago national football team camp to train for a friendly match against the United States men's national soccer team taking place on January 30.{{cite web |title=𝗙𝗲𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝟮𝟰-𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗦𝗔 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 |url=https://www.facebook.com/22087728928/posts/10158411814873929/?sfnsn=mo |website=Trinidad & Tobago Football Association |publisher=Facebook |access-date=8 February 2021 |language=en |date=27 January 2021}} However, he did not appear on the gameday roster. DeShields is not yet cap-tied, so he is currently eligible to play for the senior team of either Trinidad & Tobago or the US.

Personal life

Michael Dominic DeShields is the son of Jeanette Gibbs and Michael DeShields, and is the oldest of their four children. He majored in Communications while at Wake Forest.