Shane O'Neill (soccer)
{{short description|American soccer player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Shane O'Neill
| image = 2015 Chipotle MLS Homegrow (9).jpg
| caption = O'Neill in 2015
| fullname = Shane Edward O'Neill
| birth_place = Midleton, Cork, Ireland
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}{{cite web |title=Shane O'Neil |url=https://www.torontofc.ca/players/shane-o-neill/ |access-date=21 August 2022 |publisher=Toronto FC}}
| position = Center-back
| currentclub = Radnički 1923
| clubnumber = 5
| youthyears1 = 2009–2012
| youthclubs1 = Colorado Rapids
| years1 = 2012–2015
| clubs1 = Colorado Rapids
| caps1 = 52
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2015–2017
| clubs2 = Apollon Limassol
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2015
| clubs3 = → Royal Excel Mouscron (loan)
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2016
| clubs4 = → Cambridge United (loan)
| caps4 = 2
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2016–2017
| clubs5 = → NAC Breda (loan)
| caps5 = 25
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2017–2018
| clubs6 = Excelsior
| caps6 = 1
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2018–2019
| clubs7 = Orlando City SC
| caps7 = 24
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2020–2021
| clubs8 = Seattle Sounders FC
| caps8 = 45
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2022–2024
| clubs9 = Toronto FC
| caps9 = 60
| goals9 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2012–2013
| nationalteam1 = United States U20
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2014–2016
| nationalteam2 = United States U23
| nationalcaps2 = 9
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{USA}}}}
{{Medal|RU|CONCACAF U-20 Championship|2013}}
| club-update = February 11, 2025
| nationalteam-update = February 10, 2017
| years10 = 2025
| clubs10 = Radnički 1923
| caps10 = 3
| goals10 = 0
}}
Shane Edward O'Neill (born September 2, 1993) is a professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Serbian SuperLiga club Radnički 1923. Born in Ireland, he represented the United States at international level.
Club career
= Colorado Rapids =
O'Neill joined the U.S. Soccer Development Academy with the Colorado Rapids youth system in 2009. He led the Rapids U18 team in scoring in 2011–12 with 10 goals in 15 games, helping them reach the playoffs.
O'Neill originally signed to play college soccer at the University of Virginia, however on June 19, 2012, O'Neill signed with the Colorado Rapids as a Home Grown Player.{{cite web|title=Rapids sign Boulder's Shane O'Neill as Homegrown player|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2012/06/rapids-sign-boulders-shane-oneill-homegrown-player|work=coloradorapids.com|publisher=Colorado Rapids Media Relations|access-date=November 1, 2012|date=June 19, 2012}} Three months later, he made his professional debut in a 3–0 victory over the Portland Timbers, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute for Jeff Larentowicz.{{cite web|last=Sferra|first=German|title=O'Neill becomes first homegrown player to make MLS debut|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2012/09/oneill-becomes-first-homegrown-player-make-mls-debut|publisher=Colorado Rapids|access-date=November 1, 2012|date=September 5, 2012}} O'Neill became a regular starter in 2013 and received strong reviews, earning the Rapids' Young Player of the Year award{{cite web|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2013/10/rapids-announce-2013-team-awards-dillon-powers-taking-mvp-honors|title=Rapids announce 2013 team awards, with Dillon Powers taking MVP honors|work=Colorado Rapids}} and a nomination for U.S. Soccer Young Athlete of the Year{{cite web|url=http://www.burgundywave.com/2013/11/20/5125112/shane-oneill-us-soccer|title=Shane O'Neill Nominated For US Soccer Award|author=UZ|work=Burgundy Wave|date=November 20, 2013}} as the Rapids returned to the playoffs. His first career goal came in a 4–1 home win over Montreal Impact on May 25, 2014.
= Apollon Limassol =
On August 7, 2015, O'Neill was bought by Cypriot club Apollon Limassol for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2015/08/07/shane-oneill-transferred-cypriot-side-apollon-limassol|title=Shane O'Neill transferred to Cypriot side Apollon Limassol|work=Colorado Rapids}} On August 31, 2015, he was loaned out to Royal Mouscron-Péruwelz in Belgium.{{cite web|url=http://www.rmp-foot.be/fr/actu.php?id=230&cat_id=8#ontitle|title=Sept nouveaux joueurs : Oussalah de retour|access-date=August 31, 2015|language=fr-BE}}{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci_28747959/shane-oneill-former-rapids-defender-excited-belgium-move|title=Shane O'Neill, former Rapids defender, excited for Belgium move, Olympic qualifying|date=September 2, 2015|access-date=September 11, 2015|language=en}} The loan was cut short on December 23, 2015, and he returned to Limassol having not made an appearance for the Belgian club. He had subsequent loan spells with League 2 side Cambridge United and NAC Breda in Jupiler League, never featuring for Apollon Limassol.
= Excelsior =
O'Neill joined Excelsior on a one-year deal for the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=https://sbvexcelsior.nl/excelsior-contracteert-verdediger-shane-oneill/|title=Excelsior contracteert verdediger Shane O'Neill|date=August 21, 2017|access-date=August 21, 2017|language=nl}}
= Orlando City =
In June 2018, O'Neill returned to MLS when he signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Orlando City SC.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2018/06/22/orlando-city-sc-signs-defender-shane-o-neill|title=Orlando City SC Signs Defender Shane O'Neill|access-date=June 22, 2018|language=en}} He made his debut in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal defeat to Philadelphia Union on July 18 and made his MLS debut for the club three days later at Columbus. On November 21, 2019, it was announced O'Neill had his contract option for the 2020 season declined by Orlando as part of the end-of-season roster decisions.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2019/11/21/orlando-city-sc-announces-2019-end-season-roster-decisions|title=Orlando City SC Announces 2019 End-of-Season Roster Decisions|website=Orlando City SC|date=November 21, 2019}}
= Seattle Sounders FC =
On January 14, 2020, O'Neill signed with Seattle Sounders FC.{{cite web|url=https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2020/01/14/sounders-fc-signs-defender-shane-oneill|title=Sounders FC signs defender Shane O'Neill|publisher=Seattle Sounders FC|date=January 14, 2020|access-date=January 14, 2020}} O'Neill made his Sounders debut on February 20 coming in as a substitute against CD Olimpia in the Concacaf Champions League. He scored his first goal for the club in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs on December 1 against FC Dallas.{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=December 1, 2020 |title=Sounders fight past FC Dallas to reach Western Conference title match |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fight-past-fc-dallas-to-reach-western-conference-title-match/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 8, 2020}}
=Toronto FC=
On December 22, 2021, O'Neill signed a three-year contract, beginning in 2022, as a free agent with Toronto FC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontofc.ca/news/toronto-fc-signs-defender-shane-o-neill|title=Toronto FC Signs Defender Shane O'Neill|work=Toronto FC|date=December 22, 2021}} He made his debut on February 26 in the season opener against FC Dallas, as a substitute.{{cite web|url=https://www.torontofc.ca/news/tfc-debutants-make-solid-first-impressions-in-season-opener|title=TFC debutants make solid first impressions in season opener|date=2 March 2022|first=James|last=Grossi|work=Toronto FC}}
=Radnički 1923 Kragujevac=
On February 13, 2025, O'Neill signed with Radnički 1923. He made his debut on February 27, 2025 against Novi Pazar.
International career
O'Neill is eligible to represent both the United States and the Republic of Ireland. On October 9, 2012, O'Neill was called up by the United States U20 national team for the 2012 Marbella Cup in Spain.{{cite web|title=Torre Added to U.S. U-20 Men's National Team Roster for 2012 Marbella Cup|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-20-MNT/2012/10/Torre-Added-to-US-U20-Mens-National-Team-Roster-for-2012-Marbella-Cup.aspx|publisher=U.S. soccer|access-date=November 1, 2012|date=October 9, 2012}} A day later, O'Neill made his debut for the U20s in a 2–1 loss to Canada, however he suffered an eye injury that ruled him out for the rest of the tournament.{{cite web|title=U.S. Under-20 MNT Loses 2–1 to Canada in International Friendly at 2012 Marbella Cup|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-20-MNT/2012/10/US-Under20-MNT-Loses-21-to-Canada-in-International-Friendly-at-2012-Marbella-Cup.aspx|publisher=U.S. soccer|access-date=November 1, 2012|date=October 10, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022005507/http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-20-MNT/2012/10/US-Under20-MNT-Loses-21-to-Canada-in-International-Friendly-at-2012-Marbella-Cup.aspx|archive-date=October 22, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Bianchi|first=Chris|title=O'Neill hopes to keep getting calls from US U-20s|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2012/10/oneill-hopes-keep-getting-calls-us-u-20s|publisher=Colorado Rapids|access-date=November 1, 2012|date=October 24, 2012}} He later played for the U.S. at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
He has yet to debut for the U.S. senior team and has indicated a willingness to accept a call for his native Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/03/colorado-rapids-defender-shane-oneill-debating-between-u-s-ireland/|title=Colorado Rapids defender Shane O'Neill debating between U.S., Ireland -|work=ProSoccerTalk|date=October 4, 2013}} He participated in a U.S. camp in January 2014, although he was dropped prior to a friendly against South Korea.{{cite web|url=http://soccer.si.com/2014/01/24/jurgen-klinsmann-usmnt-michael-parkhurst-january-camp/|title=Klinsmann narrows down roster for USA's January camp final leg, adds Parkhurst|author=Avi Creditor|work=SI.com}} He was called up to the United States senior squad for a friendly against Panama in February 2015.{{cite news|title=USA 2-0 Panama|url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/international-friendlies/2015/usa-panama_mtc754205/live.shtml|access-date=November 13, 2015|publisher=eurosport.co.uk|date=February 8, 2015}}
Personal life
O'Neill is the son of former All-Ireland winning Cork Gaelic footballer, Colm O'Neill, and is a nephew of former Kerry Gaelic footballer, Maurice Fitzgerald.{{cite news|last=Heneghan|first=Conor|date=May 26, 2014|title=Maurice Fitzgerald's nephew scored his first goal in the MLS on Saturday night and it was a cracker|work=JOE.ie|url=http://www.joe.ie/football/football-news/video-maurice-fitzgeralds-nephew-scored-his-first-goal-in-the-mls-on-saturday-night-and-it-was-a-cracker/|access-date=May 26, 2014}} O'Neill is the younger brother of Darragh O'Neill, a former punter for Colorado Buffaloes football team.
O'Neill's family immigrated to the United States from Ireland when he was a toddler after his father won a green card through the Diversity Immigrant Visa lottery program.{{cite news|last1=Krasnoo|first1=Ryan|date=19 October 2020|title=Once a journeyman, Sounders' Shane O'Neill quietly flashing defensive bona fides as he finds home in Seattle|publisher=Seattle Sounders FC|url=https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2020/10/19/once-journeyman-sounders-shane-oneill-quietly-flashing-defensive-bona-fides-he|access-date=20 October 2020}}
O'Neill grew up in Boulder, Colorado and attended Fairview High School. In his senior year of high school, O'Neill was named the Colorado's player of the year by Gatorade and selected to the All-Colorado boys soccer team. O'Neill played basketball in high school and was named to the second-team all-5A team for his performances during his senior year. Although he committed to the University of Virginia, O'Neill ultimately signed with his hometown team the Colorado Rapids at the age of 18.{{Cite web|date=2012-06-19|title=Colorado Rapids sign Shane O'Neill of Boulder's Fairview High|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/06/19/colorado-rapids-sign-shane-oneill-of-boulders-fairview-high/|access-date=2021-05-31|website=The Denver Post|language=en-US}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played March 29, 2025}}{{Soccerway|shane-oneill/251269}}
| 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"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="5"|Colorado Rapids
|2012 |rowspan="4"|MLS |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2013
|26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 0 | |||
| 2014
|21 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 1 | ||||
| 2015
|4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!52 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 1 | |
| Apollon Limassol
|colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Royal Excel Mouscron (loan)
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Cambridge United (loan)
|2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||||
| NAC Breda (loan)
|25 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 1 | |||
| Excelsior
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Orlando City SC
|2018 |rowspan="2"|MLS |13 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 0 | ||||
| 2019
|11 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Seattle Sounders FC
|2020 |rowspan="2"|MLS |18 | 0 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 1 | |||
| 2021
|27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!45 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 1 | |
| rowspan="4"|Toronto FC
|2022 |rowspan="3"|MLS |26 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 0 | ||||
| 2023
|14 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |||
| 2024
|20 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | 24 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 68 | 0 | |
| Radnički 1923 Kragujevac
|2025 |3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!212 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 242 | 3 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{MLS player|shane-o-neill}}
- {{soccerway|shane-oneill/251269}}
{{FK Radnički 1923 squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:ONeill, Shane}}
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Irish emigrants to the United States
Category:Colorado Rapids players
Category:Apollon Limassol FC players
Category:Royal Excel Mouscron players
Category:Cambridge United F.C. players
Category:Excelsior Rotterdam players
Category:Orlando City SC players
Category:Seattle Sounders FC players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Association footballers from County Cork
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Cyprus
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Eerste Divisie players
Category:United States men's under-20 international soccer players
Category:United States men's under-23 international soccer players
Category:Soccer players from Colorado
Category:Homegrown Players (MLS)
Category:Sportspeople from Boulder, Colorado
Category:English Football League players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen