.jpg) Cameron with theUnited States in 2013 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Geoffrey Scott Cameron[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1985-07-11)July 11, 1985 (age 40) | ||
| Place of birth | Attleboro, Massachusetts, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2005 | West Virginia Mountaineers | 38 | (4) |
| 2006–2007 | Rhode Island Rams | 39 | (6) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2007 | Rhode Island Stingrays | 33 | (8) |
| 2008–2012 | Houston Dynamo | 116 | (11) |
| 2012–2019 | Stoke City | 168 | (2) |
| 2018–2019 | →Queens Park Rangers (loan) | 19 | (1) |
| 2019–2021 | Queens Park Rangers | 70 | (1) |
| 2021–2022 | FC Cincinnati | 54 | (0) |
| Total | 460 | (44) | |
| International career | |||
| 2010–2017 | United States | 55 | (4) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Geoffrey Scott Cameron (born July 11, 1985) is an American former professionalsoccer player who played as adefender.
Cameron began playingcollege soccer with theWest Virginia Mountaineers and theRhode Island Rams, as well asUSL Premier Development League sideRhode Island Stingrays, before being drafted byMajor League Soccer clubHouston Dynamo in 2008. After an impressive second season in professional soccer Cameron was named asMLS Best XI in 2009 and helped Houston reach thefinal of theMLS Cup in 2011 as they lost 1–0 to theLA Galaxy. In July 2012 he joined EnglishPremier League sideStoke City. Cameron spent six seasons with the Potters making 186 appearances before joiningQueens Park Rangers in June 2018. Cameron spent three years at QPR before moving toFC Cincinnati in May 2021.
Cameron played 55 international games for theUnited States. He was selected for the2014 FIFA World Cup and theCopa América Centenario, helping the team to fourth place at the latter.
Cameron was born inAttleboro, Massachusetts and played youth soccer for Bayside United.[3] He attendedAttleboro High School andProvidence Country Day School before choosingWest Virginia University for college. After making 28 starts in two seasons atWest Virginia Mountaineers, Cameron transferred to theUniversity of Rhode Island for his junior and senior years.[3] Cameron was an immediate starter and helped theRhode Island Rams beat theRutgers Scarlet Knights in the 2006NCAA tournament, scoring in a shootout.[3] As a senior in 2007, Cameron was named midfielder of the Year in theAtlantic 10 Conference and was a first-team all-Mid Atlantic Region selection. During his college years, Cameron also played forRhode Island Stingrays in theUSL Premier Development League where he played 33 times in two seasons scoring eight goals.[3]
Cameron was drafted by theHouston Dynamo in the third round (42nd overall) in the2008 MLS SuperDraft.[4] He made his professional debut on March 29, 2008, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat against theNew England Revolution.[4] In his first home appearance, on April 6, he scored a last-minute goal to help the Dynamo to a 3–3 draw withFC Dallas.[4] He became a regular substitute and sometimes starter for the Dynamo by mid-season.
On October 31, 2008, it was announced that Cameron was a finalist forMLS Rookie of the Year along withSean Franklin andKheli Dube.[5] Cameron played a key role for Houston in theCONCACAF Champions League andNorth American SuperLiga in2008 and ended his debut season with 32 appearances, as the Dynamo reached the2008 MLS Cup Playoffs but lost toNew York Red Bulls in the semi-final. During the season Cameron also played for the reserves, helping them to win theMLS Reserve League.[4]
Cameron became a regular for Houston in the2009 season playing mostly at center-back. He missed just one match in the regular season as Houston again made the play-offs.[4] They edged pastSeattle Sounders FC 1–0 before losing 2–0 toLos Angeles Galaxy in theWestern Conference final.[4] Cameron was selected for the2009 MLS All-Star Game inSandy, Utah, and he played all 90 minutes in the 1–1 draw with EnglishPremier League sideEverton. Cameron was also named in theMLS Best XI for the 2009 season.[4]
During the2010 season, Cameron suffered a knee injury that kept him out for half of the season. He returned in August after undergoing knee surgery, and scored a 70th-minute header from a free kick byBrad Davis againstD.C. United in the Dynamo's 3–1 win on September 25. His was restricted to 17 appearances in the 2010 season. Houston had a poor campaign and finished in seventh position.[4]
In the2011 season, Cameron returned to the squad as Houston experienced a much better campaign, qualifying for the play-offs after finishing in second position. After beatingPhiladelphia Union over two legs, they defeatedSporting Kansas City 2–0 to reach the final of theMLS Cup against theLos Angeles Galaxy.[4] Cameron played the full 90 minutes as Houston lost 1–0. Cameron's performances during the season saw him named in the2011 MLS All-Star Game againstManchester United where the MLS All-Stars lost 4–0.[4] Cameron played 15 games in the2012 season before moving to England in the summer of 2012.[4]
Cameron agreed to join EnglishPremier League clubStoke City on July 25, 2012, with the deal subject to a successfulwork permit appeal,[6] which was granted on August 8.[7] He played in his first match for Stoke in a 1–1 draw with German sideSpVgg Greuther Fürth in a pre-season friendly.[8] He missed the opening match of the season away atReading due to visa issues.[9] He made his Premier League debut in a 0–0 draw againstArsenal on August 26, 2012.[10] He has impressed since his arrival in England and has begun to play at right back, a position which Cameron is enjoying learning about.[11] He also described playing in the Premier League as "pretty special".[12] Cameron played 38 times for Stoke in2012–13 as they finished in 13th position in the Premier League.[13] After the season finished Cameron admitted that towards the end of the season he began to struggle with fatigue after playing competitive soccer for 18 straight months.[14]
At the end of the seasonTony Pulis left by mutual agreement and was replaced byMark Hughes. Cameron stated that he wanted to try and impress Hughes at center-back.[15] Cameron remained at right-back and scored his first goal for Stoke on September 22, 2013, in a 3–1 defeat against Arsenal.[16][17] Cameron continued to be a key player in his attacking full-back role under Hughes and provided an assist forPeter Crouch in a 2–1 win overAston Villa on December 21, 2013.[18][19] Cameron scored a rare goal on March 23, 2014, in a 4–1 win at Aston Villa.[20] Cameron played 41 times for Stoke in2013–14 as they finished in 9th position in the Premier League.[21]
Cameron's start to the2014–15 season was disrupted by a hernia injury which required surgery.[22] After recovering from his injury Cameron told manager Mark Hughes that he wants to begin playing in midfield.[23] Despite this Cameron continued to compete withPhil Bardsley for the right back position as the season progressed. He was sent-off for the first time in English soccer after conceding a penalty in a 4–1FA Cup defeat away atBlackburn Rovers in February 2015.[24] Cameron signed a new three-year contract with Stoke on May 24, 2015.[25] Cameron played 31 times for Stoke in 2014–15 as the Potters finished in 9th position for a second season running and they ended the campaign with a 6–1 victory againstLiverpool.[26][27] Cameron played 34 times in2015–16 as Stoke again finished in ninth position.[28]
Stoke made a poor start to the2016–17 season, failing to win a match until October with back-to-back wins overHull City andSunderland with Cameron impressing in midfield.[29][30] However, in that Hull match Cameron suffered a knee ligament injury which ruled him out until February 2017.[31] Cameron made 21 appearances in2016–17, as Stoke finished in 13th position.[32][33] He signed a two-year contract extension in May 2017.[34] Cameron again made 21 appearances in2017–18 as Stoke suffered relegation to theEFL Championship.[35]
Cameron joinedQueens Park Rangers on loan for the2018–19 season after not being part ofGary Rowett's plans.[36][37] Cameron played 19 times for Rangers scoring once in a 1–1 draw againstDerby County on October 6, 2018.[38][39] Cameron made his move to Queens Park Rangers permanent on July 25, 2019.[40]
Cameron was named captain of QPR ahead of the 2020–21 season.[41] On May 5, 2021, he announced he would depart the club and return to the United States after making 90 appearances and scoring twice for QPR.[42]
On May 13, 2021, Cameron returned toMajor League Soccer and signed withFC Cincinnati on contract through the 2022 season with an additional option year.[43] He made his debut for the club on May 16 againstInter Miami CF, starting in the 3–2 defeat.[44] Cameron was released by Cincinnati following their 2022 season.[45] He announced his retirement from soccer in May 2023.[46]
Cameron received his first call up to train with the seniorUnited States national team in January 2009, but he was injured during the first week and was unable to play in the team's friendly againstSweden. He participated again in training with the team inCarson, California in January 2010, leading up to a friendly match againstHonduras. Cameron did not play in that match, but he was again called into camp for the February 24, 2010, game againstEl Salvador in Tampa, Florida. He appeared as a substitute in the 86th minute forRobbie Rogers, recording his first cap for the national side, nearly scoring on a blazing strike that narrowly went over the bar.[47] In December 2011, Cameron was called up to coachJürgen Klinsmann's camp. On January 21, 2012, he went 90 minutes in a friendly againstVenezuela. Cameron scored his goal for the national team on May 29 in a 4–2 defeat againstBelgium.[48]
Cameron was a part of the national team during the2014 FIFA World Cup. He was the first player from Massachusetts to play at the tournament sinceMike Burns in 1998.[49] He started as central defender during the team's first two group stage games againstGhana andPortugal. He was benched and replaced byOmar Gonzalez for the third game againstGermany.[50] In the Round of 16 defeat againstBelgium, Cameron started in central midfield in place ofKyle Beckerman.NBC Sports interpreted that Klinsmann made the change as Cameron was better suited to take onMarouane Fellaini, a tall Belgian midfielder with a noted heading ability.[51]
Cameron was not chosen for the2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, with reports saying that Stoke wanted him for preseason.[52] On October 10 that year, he scored in a 3–2 loss toMexico in theCONCACAF Cup, a one-off event to decide the confederation's entrant to the2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.[53] Cameron started in every game at theCopa América Centenario in central defense alongsideHertha BSC'sJohn Brooks, as the team finished in fourth place in 2016.[54]
A versatile player who is currently featured ascenter back but can also play as a right back or defensive midfielder. Cameron is known for his aerial ability, strength, athleticism and composure on the ball.[55]
Geoff has the mentality and all the skill-sets to succeed . . . Stoke and England are getting a quality player that they can be excited to see. He's good with the ball, he reads the game well and he's not going to lose possession of the ball while under pressure. If you're playing with Geoff Cameron, be prepared to play with the ball. He has the physical attributes to bang when he needs to but he also has a real confidence in the way he handles the ball and the way he passes out of the back.
— Former U.S. international andESPN punditAlexi Lalas speaks highly of Geoff Cameron.[56]
Cameron's father Scott was a professional hockey player,[57] after having played forMount Saint Charles Academy, a school that dominated the sport in Rhode Island.[49]
During his time at Houston Dynamo, Cameron took part in a series of community service efforts to raise money for local charitable organizations in 2011 and 2012. The 20 for 20 campaign was started in September 2011 when Cameron, who wore the No. 20 jersey in Houston, announced a goal to raise a total of $20,000 for theFisher House andRonald McDonald House of Houston.[58] In March 2012, Cameron and the Dynamo announced the return of the 20 for 20 campaign with the same initial goal of $20,000, with proceeds going to theLeukemia & Lymphoma Society.[59] Growing up Cameron supported English sideManchester United and Italian sideJuventus.[60] While living in England Cameron participated in local community work.[61]
Cameron endorsedDonald Trump in the2016 United States presidential election and claimed he had political arguments with USMNT teammates, who he said were mostly liberal.[57] He was one of the few sportspeople who expressed support for Trump'sExecutive Order 13769, which put a 90-day immigration freeze on several nations and suspended activity on theUnited States Refugee Admissions Program.[62]
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rhode Island Stingrays | 2005 | USL PDL | 13 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 4 | ||||
| 2006 | USL PDL | 16 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 4 | |||||
| 2007 | USL PDL | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 33 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 33 | 8 | ||||||
| Houston Dynamo | 2008 | Major League Soccer | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 11[c] | 0 | 36 | 1 | |
| 2009 | Major League Soccer | 29 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | 7[d] | 1 | 41 | 5 | ||
| 2010 | Major League Soccer | 16 | 3 | — | — | — | 1[e] | 0 | 17 | 3 | ||||
| 2011 | Major League Soccer | 33 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 37 | 5 | ||||
| 2012 | Major League Soccer | 15 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 116 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | 19 | 1 | 146 | 14 | |||
| Stoke City | 2012–13[13] | Premier League | 35 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 38 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14[21] | Premier League | 37 | 2 | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 41 | 2 | |||
| 2014–15[26] | Premier League | 27 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 31 | 0 | |||
| 2015–16[28] | Premier League | 30 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | — | 34 | 0 | ||||
| 2016–17[32] | Premier League | 19 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | — | 21 | 0 | ||||
| 2017–18[35] | Premier League | 20 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 21 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 168 | 2 | — | 7 | 0 | 11 | 0 | — | 186 | 2 | ||||
| Queens Park Rangers (loan) | 2018–19[39] | Championship | 19 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 19 | 1 | ||||
| Queens Park Rangers | 2019–20[66] | Championship | 36 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 37 | 1 | |||
| 2020–21[67] | Championship | 34 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 35 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 89 | 2 | — | 2 | 0 | — | — | 91 | 2 | |||||
| FC Cincinnati | 2021[64] | Major League Soccer | 28 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 28 | 0 | ||||
| 2022[64] | Major League Soccer | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | — | 29 | 0 | ||
| Total | 54 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 57 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 460 | 23 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 513 | 26 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | |||
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 55 | 4 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | May 29, 2013 | FirstEnergy Stadium,Cleveland,Ohio |  Belgium | 1–1 | 2–4 | Friendly | [69] |
| 2. | October 10, 2015 | Rose Bowl,Pasadena, California |  Mexico | 1–1 | 2–3 | 2015 CONCACAF Cup | [70] |
| 3. | November 13, 2015 | Busch Stadium,St. Louis,Missouri |  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 4–1 | 6–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification | [71] |
| 4. | March 29, 2016 | Mapfre Stadium,Columbus, Ohio |  Guatemala | 2–0 | 4–0 | [72] |
Houston Dynamo
Individual
I am pleased he is making security of all Americans one of his top priorities. Our enemies have stated—and in Europe they have proven—they will take advantage of lax immigration procedures for the purposes of staging attacks.
United States squads | |||||||
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