Tarek Morad
{{short description|American soccer player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Tarek Morad
| image = CINvLOU 2017-05-31 - Tarek Morad (34668213190) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Morad playing for Louisville City in 2017
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|8|21}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, United States
| height = {{height|m=1.88}}
| position = Center back, Defensive midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2004–2010
| youthclubs1 = Arsenal FC (California)
| youthyears2 = 2006–2010
| youthclubs2 = Chino Hills High School
| youthyears3 = 2013
| youthclubs3 = Chivas USA
| collegeyears1 = 2010
| college1 = Mt. Sac Mounties
| collegeyears2 = 2011–2013
| college2 = UC Irvine Anteaters
| collegecaps2 = 61
| collegegoals2 = 3
| years1 = 2013 | clubs1 = OC Blues Strikers | caps1 = 5 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2014 | clubs2 = Oklahoma City Energy | caps2 = 13 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2015–2017 | clubs3 = Louisville City | caps3 = 72 | goals3 = 4
| years4 = 2018–2019 | clubs4 = Tampa Bay Rowdies | caps4 = 46 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2020 | clubs5 = San Diego Loyal | caps5 = 6 | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2021–2023 | clubs6 = Oakland Roots | caps6 = 71 | goals6 = 2
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| club-update = October 22, 2023
| ntupdate =
}}
Tarek Morad (Arabic: طارق مراد; born August 21, 1992) is an American professional soccer player who last played for Oakland Roots in the USL Championship.
Early life
=Personal=
Tarek was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Chino Hills, California to Egyptian parents and has two older brothers.{{cite web|url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/8/34067/Tarek-Morad-Champion-emerging-from-the-shadow|title=Tarek Morad: Champion emerging from the shadow|date=November 25, 2017|website=www.egypttoday.com|publisher=Egypt Today|location=Cairo, Egypt|first=Mohamed|last=Soltan|access-date=November 26, 2017}} He attended Chino Hills High School where he would twice win the Sierra League and be named the Sierra League MVP as a Junior.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/tarek-morad|title=Tarek Morad|date=|website=www.mlssoccer.com|publisher=MLS|access-date=November 26, 2017}}
=College and Youth=
Morad was to originally play college soccer at UC Riverside as a midfielder but his scholarship offer was rescinded. Instead he enrolled at Mt. San Antonio College in 2010. While at Mt. San Antonio he led the Mounties to the South Coast Conference Title as well the California Junior College State Championship. He was also named to the All-Conference team.{{cite news|url=https://www.themaneland.com/2015/2/20/8073089/louisville-city-update-lcfc-signs-two-more-announces-preseason-slate|title=Louisville City Update: LCFC Signs Two More, Announces Preseason Slate|date=February 20, 2015|newspaper=The Mane Land|first=jeff|last=Milby|access-date=November 26, 2017}}
In 2011 Morad would transfer to UC Irvine where he would be converted to a defender. He would play in 61 matches and score three goals during his time there. During his Senior year UC Irvine would win the Big West Conference Title and would make it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament; a school record.{{cite web|url=https://www.sounderatheart.com/sounders-trades-transfers-rumors/2014/1/24/5343112/trialist-tarek-morad|title=Trialist: Tarek Morad|date=January 24, 2014|website=www.sounderatheart.com|publisher=Sound at Heart|first=Randy|last=Meeker|access-date=November 26, 2017}}
In 2013 Morad also play with the Chivas USA U23 team. Chivas would finish the year unbeaten on their way to the Coast Soccer League Championship where Morad would score the final goal of Championship match.
Club career
=OKC Energy FC=
==2014 season==
Morad would go undrafted in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft and after a trial with Seattle Sounders FC would sign with United Soccer League expansion side OKC Energy FC on February 27.{{cite web|url=http://newsok.com/article/4568325|title=Oklahoma City Energy FC: Breaking down the 2014 Energy FC roster|date=April 25, 2014|website=newsok.com|publisher=The Oklahoman|location=Oklahoma City, OK|first=Chris|last=Brannick|access-date=November 26, 2017}} He would appear in 13 of Oklahoma's 28 regular season matches without scoring a goal.
=Louisville City FC=
==2015 season==
On February 19 Morad would sign with another USL expansion team; Louisville City FC.{{cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/louisville-city-fc/2015/02/19/louisville-city-fc-adds-potential-to-roster/23689997/|title=Louisville City FC adds two more to roster|date=February 19, 2015|website=www.courier-journal.com|publisher=Courier Journal|location=Louisville, KY|first=Jonathan|last=Lintner|access-date=November 26, 2017}} He would make his debut on March 28 against Saint Louis and appear in 26 of Louisville's 28 regular season matches; scoring 2 goals. He'd also play in two of Louisville's three US Open Cup matches and both of their USL Cup matches.{{cite web|url=http://www.louisvillecityfc.com/morad|title=Tarek Morad|website=www.louisvillecityfc.com|publisher=Louisville City FC|access-date=November 26, 2017|quote= }}
==2016 season==
Morad would play in 20 of Louisville's 30 regular season matches and make his season debut on April 2 against Orlando City B. He scored his lone goal on June 21 against Toronto{{cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/louisville-city-fc/2016/06/21/louisville-city-fc-toronto-loucity-lcfc-slugger-field/86195126/|title=Abend nets two as LouCity knocks out Toronto|date=June 21, 2016|website=www.courier-journal.com|publisher=Courier Journal|location=Louisville, KY|first=Danielle|last=Lerner|access-date=November 26, 2017}} and would also contribute 2 assists. He played in one of Louisville's US Open Cup matches as well as all three of Louisville's USL Cup matches.
==2017 season==
Morad would play in 26 of Louisville's 32 regular season matches and make his season debut on March 25 against Saint Louis. He also played in both of Louisville's US Open Cup matches as well as all four of Louisville's USL Cup matches. He scored his lone goal of the regular season in the final match against Richmond off the rebounded his own missed penalty kick. This goal made him the 17th and final outfield player to score for Louisville during the season; the entire outfield roster.{{cite web|url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/847018?referrer_id=2720650|title=Hard Work Pays Off for Louisville's Morad|date=October 21, 2017|website=www.uslsoccer.com|publisher=USL|location=Louisville, KY|first=Nicholas|last=Murray|access-date=November 26, 2017}} He would also score a brace in the first half of Louisville's opening USL Cup match against Bethlehem. Morad and Louisville would go on to win the USL Cup Final against Swope Park.
Morad would not be resigned by Louisville after the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.louisvillecityfc.com/news_article/show/857889|title=Louisville City FC announces Roser Changes|last=|first=|date=November 17, 2017|newspaper=Louisville City Fc|publisher=LCFC|location=Louisville, KY|access-date=March 13, 2018|quote= |author1=Loucity }} He left Louisville as their all-time leader in both league and overall appearances with 75 and 88 appearances respectively.
=Tampa Bay Rowdies=
==2018 season==
On August 8 Morad signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies{{cite news|url=https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/940274-rowdies-sign-2017-usl-cup-champion-tarek-morad|title=Rowdies Sign 2017 USL Cup Champion Tarek Morad|date=August 8, 2018|newspaper=Tampa Bay Rowdies|location=St. Petersburg, FL|first=|last=|access-date=August 19, 2018}} of the USL and made his Tampa debut on the day, helping the Rowdies earn a clean sheet against Charleston.{{cite web|url=https://www.charlestonbattery.com/news_article/show/940461|title=Battery Earns Fourth Consecutive Clean Sheet in Draw with Rowdies|date=August 8, 2018|website=www.charlestonbattery.com|publisher=Charleston Battery|location=Charleston, SC|first=Sarah|last=Cardamone|access-date=August 19, 2018}}
==2019 season==
The 2019 season saw Morad become a crucial player for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, making 34 appearances{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/tarek-morad/335984/|title=USA - T. Morad - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=ie.soccerway.com}} as his team finished 5th in the Eastern Conference,{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/national/united-states/mls-reserve-league/2019/regular-season/r50688/|title = Summary - USL Championship - USA - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway}} before losing the Conference Quarter Final 2–1 to his old team Louisville City on October 27, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rowdies/2019/10/27/tampa-bay-rowdies-eliminated-from-usl-championship-playoffs/|title=Tampa Bay Rowdies eliminated from USL Championship playoffs|website=Tampa Bay Times}} On November 19, 2019, Morad announced on his Twitter account that he was leaving the Tampa Bay Rowdies.{{cite tweet|number=1196840670498979840|user=TarekMMorad|title=Thank you, @tampabayrowdies, for the opportunity. Thank you to the fans for your support all year. Thank you to all… |date=November 19, 2019}}
=San Diego Loyal SC=
==2020 season==
On September 1, 2020, Morad joined USL Championship side San Diego Loyal for the remainder of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sdloyal.com/news_article/show/1120479-sd-loyal-signs-trio-of-players-through-2020-season|title=SD Loyal Signs Trio of Players Through 2020 Season|first=San Diego|last=Loyal|date=September 1, 2020|website=San Diego Loyal SC}}
=Oakland Roots=
On December 21, 2020, it was announced that Morad would join USL Championship side Oakland Roots ahead of their inaugural season in the league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1138012|title=Oakland Roots SC Bolsters Back Line with Tarek Morad|date=December 21, 2020}} After three seasons with the club, he was not re-signed for the 2024 season.[https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news/2023/11/15/oakland-roots-sports-club-provide-2024-roster-updates/ Oakland Roots Sports Club Provide 2024 Roster Updates]
Career statistics
Professional appearances – correct as of November 25, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/tarek-morad/335984/|title=USA – T.Morad|publisher=ie.soccerway.com|accessdate=January 27, 2020}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| OC Blues Strikers
|2013 |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | |||
| Oklahoma City Energy
|2014 |rowspan="4"|USL Championship |13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Louisville City
|2015 |26 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearances in USL Cup|name=statsUSLC}} | 0 | 30 | 2 | ||
| 2016
|20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|Appearances in USL Cup|name=statsUSLC}} | 0 | 24 | 1 | ||
| 2017
|26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|Appearances in USL Cup|name=statsUSLC}} | 2 | 32 | 3 | ||
| colspan="2"|Louisville City Total
!72 | 4 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 2 | 86 | 6 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Tampa Bay Rowdies
|2018 |rowspan="2"|USL Championship |13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | |||
| 2019
|33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearances in USL Cup|name=statsUSLC}} | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Tampa Bay Rowdies Total
!46 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 48 | 0 | ||
| San Diego Loyal
|2020 |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career Total
!142 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 159 | 6 |
{{notelist}}
Honors
Louisville City FC
- USL Cup: 2017{{cite web|url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/856196?referrer_id=2333971|title=Louisville's Late Winner Claims USL Cup Victory|last=Murray|first=Nicholas|date=November 14, 2017|website=www.uslsoccer.com|publisher=USL|access-date=November 26, 2017|location=Louisville, KY|quote= }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline}}
- {{Twitter}}
- {{MLS player}}
- {{USL player}}
{{Oakland Roots SC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morad, Tarek}}
Category:American people of Egyptian descent
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Chino Hills High School alumni
Category:Louisville City FC players
Category:Oakland Roots SC players
Category:OC Pateadores Blues players
Category:OKC Energy FC players
Category:Sportspeople from Chino Hills, California
Category:San Diego Loyal SC players
Category:Soccer players from Los Angeles
Category:Soccer players from San Bernardino County, California
Category:Tampa Bay Rowdies players
Category:UC Irvine Anteaters men's soccer players
Category:USL Championship players