_Steven_Beitashour.jpg) Beitashour withIran in 2014 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Steven Mehrdad Beitashour | ||
| Date of birth | (1987-02-01)February 1, 1987 (age 38) | ||
| Place of birth | San Jose, California, U.S. | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1] | ||
| Position | Right-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Fremont Fury | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2009 | San Diego State Aztecs | 57 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2007–2008 | San Jose Frogs | 9 | (2) |
| 2010–2013 | San Jose Earthquakes | 87 | (2) |
| 2014–2015 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 54 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Toronto FC | 51 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Los Angeles FC | 55 | (3) |
| 2020–2023 | Colorado Rapids | 42 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | →Colorado Rapids 2 (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| Total | 300 | (7) | |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2013–2014 | Iran | 6 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 21, 2022 ‡ National team caps and goals as of May 30, 2014 | |||
Steven Mehrdad Beitashour[2] (/ˈbeɪtəʃʊər/BAY-tə-shoor;[3]Persian:استیون مهرداد بیتآشور[mehɾdɒːd-ebeit-ɒːʃuːɾ],Syriac:ܣܬܝܒܢ ܡܗܪܕܐܕ ܒܝܬ ܐܫܘܪ; born February 1, 1987) is a former professionalsoccer player who played as aright-back. Born in the United States, he represented theIran national team. He is currently an assistant coach atToronto FC.
Steven Beitashour was born to Edward and Pari Beitashour inSan Jose, California, and played youth soccer for Fremont Fury.[4][5][6] He has an older brother, Tony, and two sisters, Tina and Stephanie.[3][5] His parents are both from Iran and moved to the United States in the 1960s.[5][7][8] His father, anelectrical engineer, played soccer forSan Francisco State University before working forApple.[3][9] Beitashour is ofAssyrianChristian descent from his father's side andShia MuslimPersian descent from his mother's side, enjoying support from both communities in the United States.[8] He hasIranian-American dual citizenship,[7][10] and is married to his wife named Karlie.[11] The couple announced the birth of their son Brayden on February 1, 2019, and their son Zayne in May 2022.[12][13]
Beitashour graduated fromLeland High School in 2005 where his number 3 jersey was later retired, becoming only the second Leland athlete afterPat Tillman to have a jersey retired.[5][14][15] Steven was thecaptain of his high school'svarsity team and was their leading goalscorer his junior and senior years in thenumber 10 role.[5] He was a four-yearletter-winner and was a two-time offensive player of the year before being a divisional first-team selection.[16] In his graduating year at Leland, Beitashour received the inaugural Pat Tillman Award, given to aBay Area student for outstanding achievements in both athletics and academics.[5]
He went on to play four years ofcollege soccer atSan Diego State University after receiving ascholarship,redshirting his freshman season.[3][4] Hemajored incommunication with aminor inbiology atSan Diego State University, choosing it over several schools includingSan Jose State University,University of California, Santa Cruz andNotre Dame de Namur University.[4][5][9] CoachLev Kirshner moved Beitashour to theright-back position in order to utilize his quick speed and one-on-one defending abilities.[5] In his senior year atState, Steven earned anall-Pac-10 honorable mention.[5][17] During his late college years, Beitashour also played for theSan Jose Frogs in thePremier Development League.[18][19] He graduated from San Diego State in December 2009.[5]
Beitashour was drafted in the second round (30th overall) of the2010 MLS SuperDraft by theSan Jose Earthquakes, the local team that he supported as a youngball boy, becoming the second Iranian (afterKhodadad Azizi) to play for the Earthquakes.[5][20] He made his professional debut on April 10, 2010, in a 2–1 win against theChicago Fire,[21] and scored his first professional goal on April 24, 2010, againstChivas USA.[5][22] Beitashour was selected for the2012 MLS All-Star Game and played the full 90 minutes againstChelsea in the 3–2 win.[23] The Earthquakes won the2012 MLS Supporters' Shield with Beitashour starting in all 33 of his regular season appearances and leading the league with 110crosses that season.[5] Following the Supporters' Shield title, Beitashour featured for the Earthquakes in the2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League.[24] He provided 16assists in his last 3 years with the Earthquakes, more than any otherMLS defender during the same time period.[5][25]
Steven is arguably the best right back in the league. He is fantastic on the defensive side of the ball and his ability to join the attack will make him a great addition to our club.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC acquired Beitashour for an undisclosed amount on January 27, 2014.[26][27] On March 8, Beitashour played his first match for the Whitecaps in theirseason opener against theNew York Red Bulls, providing a secondary assist toKenny Miller in their 4–1 win.[28] Beitashour was named in the MLS team of the week after his performance against theLA Galaxy on April 19.[29] On April 26, he provided a game-tying assist toSebastián Fernández in the last minute of the match againstReal Salt Lake.[30] Beitashour was nominated for the2014 MLS All-Star Game againstBayern Munich.[31] On September 27, he provided a game-winning assist toPedro Morales in a 2–1 win againstReal Salt Lake.[32] On October 10, the Whitecaps won the2014 Cascadia Cup with a 1–0 win atSeattle Sounders FC.[33] The Whitecaps also qualified for the2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League as the best Canadian team of theregular season.[34]
He's just a great guy to have in the locker room. He's always positive, he's always smiling, and he's always a guy that you want to go to battle with and fight for.
Prior to the start of the2015 MLS season, Beitashour was the Whitecaps'players union representative.[35] On March 14, 2015, in the second game of theWhitecaps' 2015 season, Beitashour provided an assist toOctavio Rivero during the 86th minute in a 1–0 win over theChicago Fire.[36] On July 29, 2015, Beitashour and his Whitecaps teammates attended acharity event for children inNanaimo.[37] On August 26, 2015, the Whitecaps won the2015 Canadian Championship to qualify for the2016–17 CONCACAF Champions League.[38]
Beitashour was traded toToronto FC during the 2015–16 off-season for TFC's second round selection in the2016 MLS SuperDraft.[39] He made his debut for Toronto FC in a 2–0 win over the New York Red Bulls on March 6, 2016.[40] On November 30, 2016, Beitashour provided an assist toBenoît Cheyrou to clinch theEastern Conference title during the2016 MLS Cup Playoffs.[41] On October 22, 2017, Toronto FC won theSupporters' Shield, breaking the MLS record for the most points in a single season.[42] On December 9, 2017, Beitashour won the2017 MLS Cup with Toronto FC for the first time in the club's history, becoming the first MLS team to complete adomestic treble.[43]
In January 2018, Beitashour signed withLos Angeles FC for theirinaugural season.[44] He provided two assists in their second match before providing another one in their following match toCarlos Vela in the firstEl Tráfico derby.[45] He scored his first goal for LAFC on May 5, 2018, againstFC Dallas.[46] He scored his second goal for the club on June 9, 2018, against his hometown club, theSan Jose Earthquakes.[47] In October 2018, LAFC unveiled aPersian language T-shirt in honor of Beitashour.[48] In September 2019, Beitashour and LAFC won the club's first major trophy with theSupporters' Shield.[49]
On September 19, 2020, Beitashour signed a one-year deal withColorado Rapids as afree agent.[50] In December 2020, Beitashour signed a one-year contract extension with the Rapids ahead of the2021 Major League Soccer season.[51] He made his club debut on July 21, 2021, in a league match againstFC Dallas.[52] Beitashour re-signed with the Rapids on January 7, 2022, for the2022 Major League Soccer season.[53] On November 10, 2022, his contract option was declined by Colorado.[54] On December 13, 2022, the Colorado Rapids re-signed Beitashour for the2023 Major League Soccer season.[55] On November 28, 2023, his contract option was declined by Colorado.[56] On December 13, 2023, Beitashour announced his retirement.[57]
.jpg)
Since Beitashour hasIranian Citizenship throughJus sanguinis principles, he is eligible to play forIran.[7] Beitashour was born in the United States and is anAmerican citizen; he thus had the choice of either playing for Iran or theUnited States.[10]
When asked about his choice in a 2012 interview, he stated:[10]
"I think it's a great position to be in to have two options, to say the least... I've just got to keep playing well here [for theSan Jose Earthquakes]. I think that's the main thing, and good things will come from that."
Iran national team coachCarlos Queiroz began to recruit eligible players from theIranian diaspora to reinforce the squad.[58] In June 2012, it was reported that Queiroz was interested in inviting Beitashour.[7]
Beitashour was called up for an international friendly by theUnited States national football team againstMexico on August 15, 2012;[59] however, he was an unused substitute.[60][5]
CoachJürgen Klinsmann later explained about his "surprise callup":[61]
"Steven has built his case over the last couple of months and talking withFrank Yallop [Beitashour's coach at Earthquakes] and getting his information was the most important step... We are pleased to bring him in. He will be welcomed here and he'll see it is a very positive and comfortable environment where he can settle in with no problems. We are curious to see him in the couple training sessions that we have. It's not much because we have two and a half days to prepare for a game, but obviously I'd love to see him over a longer period of time. It will be curious to get his first impression."
On October 5, 2013, Beitashour was called up to theIran national football team byCarlos Queiroz to be part of the preliminary 27-man squad for a2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification match againstThailand. It was initially unclear whether Beitashour would accept the invitation.[62] Two days later, it was confirmed that Beitashour had accepted the call-up and would join the squad in time for the match on October 15.[63] He made his debut in Iran's 2–1 win overThailand, coming on as a sub forMahini in the 76th minute.[64] His first assist came to strikerGhoochannejhad against Thailand in the away leg on November 15, helping to seal their place in the2015 AFC Asian Cup.[65] On June 1, 2014, Beitashour was named to Iran's2014 FIFA World Cup squad.[66] He was an unused substitute in all three matches and was not called into Iran's squad for the2015 Asian Cup.
In May 2018, Beitashour was included in Iran's 35-man preliminary squad for the2018 FIFA World Cup but was not chosen for the final 23.[67]
Beitashour has been praised for hiscrosses and his ability to get around defenders.[68][69]
Beitashour is outfitted by sportswear manufacturerAdidas.[70][71]
Following his retirement from playing professional soccer, Beitashour announced in December 2023 that he would be running a youth soccer clinic inDenver named Beita Performance Soccer.[72][73]
On August 12, 2024, theSan Jose Earthquakes announced that Beitashour would be the Quakes Academy’s Under-15 head coach for the 2024–25MLS NEXT season.[74] Under the helm of Beitashour, the Quakes U-15 team went undefeated and achieved first place in their group during his tenure.[75]
On February 7, 2025, Beitashour was announced as the assistant coach ofRobin Fraser atToronto FC ahead of the2025 season.[76][77]
| Season | Team | League | League | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | ||||
| 2005 | San Diego State Aztecs | Pacific-10 Conference | Redshirt | |||
| 2006 | 18 | 0 | 2 | |||
| 2007 | 18 | 0 | 3 | |||
| 2008 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2009 | 17 | 0 | 3 | |||
| Career Total[4] | 57 | 0 | 8 | |||
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | Cup1 | Continental2 | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2010 | MLS | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 9 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 19 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | |||||
| 2012 | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | ||||
| 2013 | 27 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 1 | |||
| Total | 87 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 96 | 2 | ||
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2014 | MLS | 27 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 27 | 0 | ||
| 2015 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 54 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 58 | 0 | |||
| Toronto FC | 2016 | MLS | 29 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 38 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 22 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 51 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 68 | 0 | |||
| Los Angeles FC | 2018 | MLS | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 34 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 55 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 60 | 3 | |||
| Colorado Rapids | 2020 | MLS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2021 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 0 | ||||
| 2022 | 19 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | 12 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |||
| Total | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | ||
| Colorado Rapids 2 (loan) | 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 291 | 5 | 16 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 327 | 5 | ||
San Jose Earthquakes
Vancouver Whitecaps
Toronto FC
Los Angeles FC
Individual
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
|  | |