 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1980-03-04)March 4, 1980 (age 45) | ||
| Place of birth | San Francisco, California, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–2001 | California Golden Bears | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2002–2004 | San Jose Earthquakes | 27 | (2) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Chris Thor Roner (born March 4, 1980) is a former American soccer player. He played for theSan Jose Earthquakes ofMajor League Soccer. His brotherErik Roner was a professional skier and base jumper who starred in theNitro Circus series onMTV.[1]
Roner (pronounced "Ron-ear") played four years ofcollege soccer atUniversity of California, Berkeley where he was Team Captain, First Team Pac-10 and MVP his final three years.[2] He was selected 33rd overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in the2002 MLS SuperDraft.[3] As a rookie, Roner saw limited playing time. The following year, in 2003, he was instrumental in helping the Quakes win the MLS Cup. In the Western Conference semifinals against theLos Angeles Galaxy, Roner scored the tying goal in the 90th minute, capping the "greatest comeback game" in MLS history.[4]
AtMLS Cup 2003, Roner was substituted early in the second half and scored the firstown goal in MLS Cup history. Minutes later, he conceded the firstpenalty kick in MLS Cup history, but San Jose won the match 4–2 and clinched the championship.[5]
After the 2003 championship, Roner underwent a routine arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle, but the cartilage damage was so severe that it ended his soccer career early.[6] He attempted to revive his career in 2005, being called into the San Jose pre-season camp, but was unable to play through the pain. After retiring, Roner worked at an advertising firm in San Francisco.[7]