Ray Saari Explained

Ray Saari
Birth Date:18 April 1995
Birth Place:Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:2009–2013
Youthclubs1:Billy Goat FC
Collegeyears1:2013–2016
College1:Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Collegecaps1:69
Collegegoals1:12
Years1:2013
Clubs1:Houston Dutch Lions
Caps1:9
Goals1:0
Years2:2014–2016
Clubs2:Tulsa Athletic
Caps2:27
Goals2:12
Years3:2017–2018
Clubs3:Seattle Sounders FC 2
Caps3:39
Goals3:4
Years4:2017
Clubs4:Kansas City Comets (indoor)
Caps4:2
Goals4:0
Years5:2019
Clubs5:Sacramento Republic
Caps5:19
Goals5:0
Years6:2019–2020
Clubs6:Kansas City Comets (indoor)
Caps6:12
Goals6:6
Years7:2020–2021
Clubs7:Oklahoma City Energy
Caps7:3
Goals7:0
Manageryears1:2022–2023
Managerclubs1:Tulsa Golden Hurricane (assistant)
Club-Update:December 16, 2022

Ray Saari (born April 18, 1995) is an American former professional soccer player.

Early life

Saari was raised in the Kansas City area and attended Oak Park High School. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 15 and underwent several months of chemotherapy before returning to the high school's soccer team.[1]

Career

College

Saari spent his entire college career at the University of Tulsa. He was a starter all four years. He made a total of 69 appearances, and tallied 12 goals and 12 assists. His sophomore season he was named to the American Athletic Conference All-conference team.[2] In his senior season despite missing five matches, Saari finished as the team's second leading scorer and earned a spot on the NSCAA All-East region first team.[3]

Saari spent three seasons with NPSL side Tulsa Athletic, playing a pivotal role in winning conference titles in two of his three seasons there. His advanced attacking role with the club yielded nearly a point a game and showcased his creative ability in the final third. Saari is among the all-time point leaders at the club registering 12 goals and 13 assists.

He also played in the Premier Development League for Houston Dutch Lions.[4]

Professional

On March 22, 2017, Saari signed his first professional soccer contract, joining USL club Seattle Sounders FC 2.[5] He made his professional debut four days later in a 2–1 defeat to Sacramento Republic.[6] On September 13, 2018, Saari was released from Seattle Sounders FC 2 having played in 39 matches over two seasons for S2 and recording four goals and six assists.[7]

On January 3, 2019, Saari joined USL Championship side Sacramento Republic FC.[8]

On November 12, 2019, Saari returned to the Kansas City area and signed a contract with the Kansas City Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League.[9]

Saari signed with USL Championship club OKC Energy FC on February 3, 2020.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Saari . Ray . September 4, 2018 . Soccer Saved Me, Cancer Matured Me: S2 midfielder Ray Saari details his battle overcoming illness . Seattle Sounders FC . September 4, 2018.
  2. Web site: 25 - Ray Saari.
  3. Web site: 2016 NSCAA NCAA Division I Men's All-East Region Teams.
  4. Web site: Houston Dutch Lions – Archive. HoustonDutchLionsFC.com. Houston Dutch Lions. March 29, 2017.
  5. Web site: Sounders FC 2 signs seven players ahead of March 26 season-opener against Sacramento Republic FC. SoundersFC.com. Sounders FC Communications. March 29, 2017. March 22, 2017.
  6. Web site: Sounders FC 2 falls 2–1 to Sacramento Republic FC in season-opening match. SoundersFC.com. Sounders FC Communications. March 29, 2017. March 26, 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328015627/http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2017/03/26/sounders-fc-2-falls-2-1-sacrmento-republic-fc-season-opening-match. March 28, 2017. mdy-all.
  7. News: Sounders FC 2 releases Ray Saari. 13 September 2018. Seattle Sounders FC. 13 September 2018.
  8. Web site: Energy FC Returns Harris to Back Line. USLChampionship com Staff. January 3, 2019. USL Championship.
  9. Web site: Comets Sign Local Standouts . MASLSoccer.com . 14 November 2019.
  10. Web site: Energy FC Signs Midfielder, University of Tulsa Alum Ray Saari . EnergyFC.com . 3 February 2020.