Michael Farfan

Michael Farfán
Farfan at 2011 preseason training with the Union
Personal information
Full name Michael Farfán Stopani
Date of birth (1988-06-23) June 23, 1988 (age 35)[1]
Place of birth San Diego, California, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2003–2005 IMG Soccer Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Cal State Fullerton Titans 35 (8)
2009–2010 North Carolina Tar Heels 41 (10)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006 Orange County Blue Star 1 (1)
2007–2008 Ventura County Fusion 21 (3)
2009 Los Angeles Legends 8 (3)
2010 Ogden Outlaws 4 (0)
2011–2013 Philadelphia Union 82 (4)
2014 Cruz Azul 1 (1)
2015 D.C. United 17 (0)
2016 Seattle Sounders FC 1 (0)
2016 → Seattle Sounders FC 2 (loan) 7 (0)
Total 142 (12)
International career‡
2003–2005 United States U17 13 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of December 24, 2016
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of January 17, 2011

Michael Farfán Stopani (born June 23, 1988) is an American former professional soccer player.

Career

Youth and College

Played youth club soccer in Southern California where he captured numerous team titles, including the 2002 national championship.[2] He also played in the Youth World Championships in Japan in 2000 representing a Mexican youth national team.[3]

Farfan played for Castle Park High School in Chula Vista, California where he won All-CIF honors as an underclassman. He later played for Edison Academic Center in Bradenton, Florida while training for the United States U-17 team. As a member of the U-17 team, Farfan played in the 2005 Youth World Cup. After a two-year residency on the United States U-17 team, he enrolled at Fullerton State in the Spring of 2006.[3][4]

Farfan enrolled in the University of North Carolina in January 2009.[2] He scored five goals with the Tar Heels, with three coming in the first four games, and had four assists. While at North Carolina, he was named NSCAA First Team All-America and All-ACC First Team.[5]

During his college years Farfan also played extensively in the USL Premier Development League, for Orange County Blue Star,[6] Ventura County Fusion,[7][8] the Los Angeles Legends,[9] and the Ogden Outlaws.[10]

Professional

On January 13, 2011, Farfan was drafted in the second round (23rd overall) in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the Philadelphia Union.[2][11] He made his professional debut on April 6, 2011 in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup game against D.C. United[12] and scored his first professional goal – a 25-yard drive from outside the box – on May 21, 2011 in a 2–1 win over Chicago Fire.[13] He was part of the MLS Team of Week 10 for this performance.[14]

After three seasons in Philadelphia, Farfan was sold to Cruz Azul of Liga MX ahead of the 2014 Clasura.[15] He scored in his debut with Cruz Azul against Pachuca. Farfan was released by Cruz Azul just 6-months into his 3-year deal.[16]

Farfan was signed by D.C. United on February 10, 2015.[17]

Farfan signed with Seattle Sounders FC on January 20, 2016.[18]

On February 24, 2017, Farfan announced his retirement via Facebook.[19]

Personal life

Michael's brother, Gabriel Farfán, was also a professional soccer player for before retiring in 2018.

Career statistics

Farfan with D.C. United

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup North America Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Philadelphia Union 2011 Major League Soccer 21 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 24 2
2012 32 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 36 1
2013 29 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 31 1
Total 82 4 7 0 2 0 0 0 91 4
Cruz Azul 2014 Liga MX 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
D.C. United 2015 Major League Soccer 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 0
Career total 84 5 7 0 2 0 2 0 95 5
  1. ^ Includes Open Cup.

Honors

Cruz Azul

Individual

References

  1. ^ Michael Farfan, United States Soccer Federation, archived from the original on April 29, 2012, retrieved January 17, 2011
  2. ^ a b c Michael Farfan, Philadelphia Union, archived from the original on March 17, 2011, retrieved January 17, 2011
  3. ^ a b Player Bio: Michael Farfan, California State University, Fullerton, retrieved January 17, 2011
  4. ^ Michael Farfan, Major League Soccer, retrieved January 17, 2011
  5. ^ "Player Bio: Michael Farfan", CBS Sports, retrieved January 17, 2011
  6. ^ "Orange County Blue Star, Premier Development League". United Soccer Leagues. 2007. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  7. ^ "Ventura County Fusion, Premier Development League". United Soccer Leagues. 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  8. ^ "Ventura County Fusion, Premier Development League". United Soccer Leagues. 2009. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  9. ^ "Los Angeles Legends, 2009 Statistics". United Soccer Leagues. 2010. Archived from the original on June 8, 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  10. ^ "Ogden Outlaws, 2010 Statistics". United Soccer Leagues. 2010. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  11. ^ Philadelphia Union Select Zac Macmath, Michael Farfan and Levy Houapeu in 2011 MLS SuperDraft, oursportscentral.com, January 14, 2011, retrieved January 17, 2011
  12. ^ DC down Union on PKs in USOC play-in round
  13. ^ "2011-05-21: Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on May 22, 2011.
  14. ^ "MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week: Week 10 | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on May 27, 2011.
  15. ^ "MLS clubs confirm permanent Cruz Azul moves for Michael Farfan, Rafael Baca; loan for Jose Villarreal | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on December 25, 2013.
  16. ^ "Cut by Cruz Azul, Michael Farfan resurfaces at Philadelphia Union training | Soccerly". soccerly.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
  17. ^ "D.C. United acquires Michael Farfan | D.C. United". Archived from the original on February 10, 2015.
  18. ^ "Sounders FC shores up midfield with addition of MLS veteran Michael Farfan | Seattle Sounders".
  19. ^ "Michael Farfan on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022.[user-generated source]

External links