Greg Sutton (soccer)

Greg Sutton (born April 19, 1977 in Hamilton, Ontario) is a former Canadian international soccer player.

Career

Youth and college

Sutton was born in Canada, but spent a good part of his adolescence playing soccer in Bethel, Connecticut, United States, where his father was transferred as part of his employment. He played college soccer at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.

Sutton was virtually ever-present for the Impact during his five years with the team, during the 2003 season Sutton helped the Impact become the USL squad with the lowest goals allowed total, during the same year Sutton won the Goalkeeper of the Year honor for his league-leading 0.73 goals-against average while logging the most minutes in goal in the league (2463). During the 2004 season with the Impact, the team won the A-League.

On November 29, 2006, Sutton returned to MLS, having been allocated to the newly formed Toronto FC for the 2007 season. Sutton was the team's starting goalkeeper until he received a head concussion during CONCACAF Gold Cup training with Canada in June. Symptoms kept recurring, and he did not make his return until the 2008 season.

Sutton was dropped for the 2008 season opener in favour of draft pick Brian Edwards, but made his return against D.C. United at RFK Stadium in Toronto's second game. Despite the fact that he conceded four goals, he made a number of important saves and was regarded by many as Toronto's man of the match. He retained his position for the next three games, recording three straight shutouts in April. He was named to the 2008 Inactive All Star Roster for his strong performance in the first half of the 2008 season. On June 9, 2009, Sutton was released by Toronto FC, to make room for the acquisition of Nick Garcia.

On January 20, 2010, @sportsnetsoccer (Twitter) advised that Sutton was going to be "off to Spain for pre season camp with New York Red Bulls". On March 11, 2010 it was announced that Sutton had signed with the New York Red Bulls. On April 27, 2010 Sutton officially debuted for New York in a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union in a 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualification match. On August 11, 2010 Sutton made his league debut for New York recording a 1-0 shutout over his former club Toronto FC.

Sutton began the 2011 Major League Soccer season as New York's starting goalkeeper helping the club to a 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC on March 19, 2011. After the signing of German goalkeeper Frank Rost, Sutton was loaned out to Canadian North American Soccer League team Montreal Impact on July 16, 2011. As part of the loan agreement, Montreal was given the option to acquire Sutton's MLS rights at the end of the season as the club prepared for a move to MLS in 2012. Montreal exercised this option for Sutton's rights but then declined his 2012 contract option, making him eligible for the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Sutton came to terms on a new agreement with Montreal Impact on December 9, 2011. On October 29, 2012, Sutton announced his retirement from professional soccer after a 14-year career.

International

Sutton made his Canadian national team debut on January 18, 2004 against Barbados. He was invited to the men's World Cup team development camp in July 2004 against Hearts and helped his side to a 1-1 draw. Sutton earned his second senior cap and kept a clean sheet against Northern Ireland in February 2005 in a 1-0 win. On January 18 of that year he was called up to the national team roster once again. Sutton competed in the last three Gold Cups and most recently helping Canada reach the Quarterfinals of the 2009 Gold Cup.

Coaching career

From 2002 to 2003, Sutton was an assistant coach with the University de Montreal Carabins.

On May 7, 2013, it was announced that Sutton would become the head coach of the Concordia University's men's soccer team. He had been an assistant coach with the team since 2011.

Honours

St. Lawrence University:

• 1st Team All-American - 1 (1998)
• 2nd team All-American - 2 (1996, 1997)

Montreal Impact:

• United Soccer League Goalkeeper of the year -4 (2003,2004,2005,2006)
• United Soccer League MVP - (2004)
• A-League/USL - 1 (2004)
• Voyageurs Cup - 5 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)