Marvell Wynne (soccer)


Marvell Wynne is a retired American soccer player and current assistant coach for the John Woods Community College Blazers’ men's soccer team. He was a starting center back on the Rapids' 2010 MLS Cup Championship team.

Personal

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wynne is the son of former Major League Baseball player Marvell Wynne.

Career

High school and college

Wynne decided to pursue an athletic career of his own as early as age six, choosing soccer over his father's sport, baseball. He attended Poway High School in Poway, California and was a letterman in soccer and track. Wynne in his senior year of high school ran a 100 Meters in a 10.39 seconds, which makes him one of the fastest professional soccer players ever. Wynne played two years of college soccer at UCLA, where he was named first team All-American in 2005.

Professional

New York Red Bulls

Wynne was the first pick at the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, with the MetroStars trading up to make the selection. He subsequently signed a Generation adidas contract with the league.
Known for his speed — he is considered one of the fastest players in the league — Wynne was initially considered too unpolished to play in the 3-5-2 system favored by then-coach Mo Johnston, but as Bruce Arena succeeded to the coaching position, Wynne began starting regularly in the first team's back line.

Toronto FC

Wynne was traded to Toronto FC in April 2007 in exchange for a partial allocation and a 2nd round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. In Toronto, Wynne he continued to impress, becoming a firm favorite amongst the fans. He scored his first career MLS goal in a game against Houston Dynamo on September 27, 2008.

Colorado Rapids

On March 25, 2010, Wynne was traded to Colorado Rapids in exchange for Nick LaBrocca and a 3rd round pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. After a successful season with Colorado in which he converted from Right Back to Center Back, the team won MLS Cup 2010 – a game which took place at BMO Field in Toronto, Wynne's former home.

San Jose Earthquakes

Following the 2014 season, his fifth campaign in Colorado, the Rapids declined Wynne's 2015 contract option. In December 2014 he entered the 2014 MLS Re-Entry Draft and was selected in stage two by San Jose Earthquakes. Wynne was sidelined indefinitely from the 2017 season after the discovery of a heart abnormality during preseason. He officially announced his retirement as an active player on April 20, 2018.

International

Wynne has played for various youth United States national teams, and was part of the Under-20 team at the 2005 World Youth Championship. He earned his first senior cap for the United States in the 2007 Copa America against Argentina on June 28, 2007. Wynne was an integral part of the U-23 side that earned qualification to the Beijing Olympics, which also included, then Toronto FC teammate, Maurice Edu.
Wynne also was a starter on the U.S. Men's 2008 Olympic soccer team. Wynne received his second cap for the senior team on January 24, 2009, against Sweden, drawing a penalty that Sacha Kljestan converted.

Career statistics

Honors

Toronto FC