Chris Pontius

A product of Yorba Linda, California, Chris Pontius was drafted with the 7^th overall selection in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United following a standout career at University of California, Santa Barbara. He represented United until 2015, capturing the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and earning honors as a 2012 MLS All Star. In the 2012 All-Star Game, Pontius scored a goal and added an assist in the MLS All-Stars 3-2 win over Chelsea FC and was named the game’s MVP. He joined the Philadelphia Union in 2016, going on to score 12 goals and notch seven assists that year while earning honors as the 2016 MLS Comeback Player of the Year.

During his time at the UCSB, Pontius was a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in his Senior year in 2008 and was also a College Soccer News All-American Second Team, and an NSCAA All-American Third Team representative. He also won the Big West offensive player of the year in his junior year.

Internationally, Pontius had been called up to several U.S. Men’s National Team camps before earning his first cap in January 2017 in a friendly contest against Serbia. In all, he has made five appearances for the U.S. Men’s National Team, including three during the USMNT’s 2017 Gold Cup-winning campaign.