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7 Defender
- Height / Weight: 5-10 / 150
- Age: 27 (10/27/1982)
- Experience: 4 Years
- Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
- How Acquired: Selected from San Jose in Expansion Draft, November 26, 2008
- Previous Clubs: San Jose (MLS, 2008) , New England (MLS, 2005-07)
- Has appeared in 94 games, starting 77 for New England and San Jose, scoring one goal and five assists
- Played first three seasons (2005-07) with New England Revolution
- Member of New England’s Open Cup championship team in 2007 and MLS runner-up (2006-07)
- Coach Sigi Schmid: "James is a good, steady player who can play multiple positions for us."
MLS Experience
2008: After spending three seasons with New England, was selected in the 2007 Expansion Draft by San Jose, played in 24 games, starting 23. Had two assists. Notched assist on game-winner at Colorado (4/19). Made seven consecutive starts at right back.
2007: Appeared in 27 games, starting 22 for New England. Played 2,137 minutes, helping New England finish second in the Eastern Conference in the regular season. Played full 90 minutes in 16 of first 17 games in defense. Entered as a sub in 90th minute at New York (10/27) in Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1. Subbed in 84th minute vs. New York (11/3) in Game 2. Subbed in Eastern Conference Championship vs. Chicago (11/8) in 82nd minute. Notched assist in 4-2 win at Rochester (7/7) in third round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Helped New England win first-ever USOC, playing a full 90 minutes in 3-2 win at FC Dallas (10/3).
2006: Started all 20 games in which he appeared, playing across the backline and on the left and right wing for New England. Suffered a complex ankle injury against Houston (5/27), causing him to miss eight games before returning to the lineup against Colorado (7/4) in his home state. Started the Revs’ Eastern Conference Championship game at D.C. United (11/5), playing all 90 minutes.
2005: Selected in Round 2 of the MLS SuperDraft (21st overall) by New England. Appeared in 23 matches for Head Coach Steve Nicol, starting 12. Recorded assist in first professional game at San Jose (4/2). Scored first professional goal against New York MetroStars (9/24) in the 85th minute to secure a berth in the 2005 MLS Cup Playoffs.
College
One of the most versatile and consistent players in Wake Forest soccer history. Played in 82 games and started 79 in the back and midfield for the Demon Deacons, captaining the team as a senior in 2004. A key part of the team’s defensive backline that allowed 0.56 goals per game, just 3.76 shots on goal per game and posted 11 shutouts in 2002. Team was ranked No. 1 in the country two out of his four years.
Mother, Chong Horton, is Korean. Has a younger sister that lives in Washington D.C. Nicknamed "Giggles" or "Giggs" by his teammates. Played for 2004 Carolina Dynamo PDL Eastern Conference Championship team. Was a communications major with a sociology minor and a focus in business. Played club soccer for the Colorado Rush. Avid dancer. Has contributed time to the Ellie Fund, a breast cancer foundation, along with a number of other charities. Enjoys volunteering and believes it is his duty to be an ambassador for the game of soccer and the Sounders FC. Two-time high school All-American. Dean’s List student at Harrison High School. Worked as a repossession man and financial assistant for Prime Financial of Colorado Springs four consecutive summers. Favorite place to travel to is Costa Rica and his favorite soccer moment is starting the home opener at Gillette in 2005 against Columbus. Speaks a little Spanish and Korean. Voted one of Boston’s Most Eligible Bachelors by Boston Magazine in 2006.
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