Jata Has Plans To Reunite With Joe Brown

Richard Jata went to the Puerto Rico & Harrisburg City Islanders tryout in Orlando, FL with an open mind. Sure it wasn't the Chicago Fire, but all he really wants to do now is play ball. The coaches seemed to like what Jata did on the field, notching the only assist on a well-placed through ball in the final game of Day 2. Unfortunately, neither were looking for a center-mid so no immediate offers were made. With little time left until the MLS and USL seasons begin, it looks as if Jata will have to put his dreams on hold yet again.

However, this has given Jata more motivation than ever. Earlier today he talked to Joe Brown(Head Coach for the Carolina Dynamo) and told him that he wanted to come back to the team for the upcoming season. The Carolina Dynamo are one of the most prestigious PDL programs in the country so Jata has absolutely no regrets going to play for them.

Richard told me that he is determined to wear the Captain's band and lead the Dynamo to yet another successful season. His primary focus and main goal is to win the Lamaar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. With the possibility of competing against MLS and USL teams who passed on him, there will be no holding back. Not one bit!

Richard Jata - Player Profile

Position: Midfielder/Forward
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 160 lbs
Birthday: September 21, 1985
Hometown: Port Richey, FL
College: Campbell University
Club/PDL: Carolina Dynamo

High School Stats

IMG Academy (Sophomore Year) - Coached by Tom Durkin

• Played on IMG Academy (Bradenton) PDL team at age 16
• Scored 35 goals and had 19 assists in two seasons at IMG Academy
• Trained with U-17 U.S. National Team - Coached by John Hackworth
  

Ridgewood High School (Senior Year) - Coached by Ed McComisky

• 33 goals, 17 assists - 83 points
• Player Of The Year - Pasco County
• Helped team to a #5 ranking in Florida
  

Club - Clearwater Chargers (Coached by Peter Mannino)
PDL - Bradenton Academics (Coached by Tom Durkin)

College Stats - By year

Furman University - Coached by Doug Allison

• Freshman Year - Led team in points (11) - 4 goals, 3 assists

Campbell University - Coached by Doug Hess

• Sophomore Year - Led team in points (21) - 7 goals, 7 assists
• Junior Year - Led team in points (22) - 9 goals, 4 assists
• Senior Year - Led team in points (28) - 12 goals, 4 assists

College Stats - Total

Goals (32) Assists (18) Points (82) Shots (244) GW (12) GP (74)

Achievements

• Athlete Of The Year - Campbell University (2008)
  
• Player Of The Year - Atlantic Sun Conference (2008)
• NSCAA All-American 2nd Team (2008)
• First Team All-South (2008)
• 2-Time Preseason Player of the Year (2007, 2008)
• First team All-Atlantic Sun Conference (2006, 2007, 2008)
• A-Sun All Tournament Team (2007, 2008)
• Second Team All-South (2006, 2007)
• NCCSIA All-State team (2006, 2007)
• College Soccer News National Team of the Week (2006, 2007, 2008)
• 12 Game-winning goals in 3 seasons at Campbell University
• 5-Time A-Sun Conference Player of the Week
• 15th All-Time in Points at Campbell (71) in just 3 seasons
• Led team to a 14-6 record his senior year and a #38 RPI (#22 in Soccer America Poll)
• Led team to an undefeated record (9-0) in A-Sun Conference play - regular season (2008)
• Led team to 3 consecutive wins over North Carolina including one at Chapel Hill (2 GW goals)
• Campbell is 20-1-1 in games when Jata scores

PDL - Carolina Dynamo (Coached by Joe Brown)

• USL PDL Southeast Division Champions (2007)
• Had 6 goals and 1 assist in only 793 minutes played
• Played in 15 games over a two year period (2007, 2008)

Professional Career

• 2009 MLS Superdraft - Drafted by the Chicago Fire
• Last player released by the Chicago Fire before the start of the 2009 season
• One of nine 2009 MLS draftees to be selected for the Rookie Life Series
• Signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads on January 27, 2011
• Scored the second PK vs Richmond Kickers in the Divisional Semifinals