Ian Joy

Ian Paul Joy (born July 14, 1981) is an American former professional soccer player. In 2011, Joy retired from playing and took a position as media staff with Real Salt Lake. For the 2012 season, Joy secured a new job providing color commentary for FC Dallas. Joy also worked for BeIn Sports and is now a TV Host and Analyst for Fox Sports and YES Network. He is the studio host of Fox Sports' coverage of the Bundesliga.

Career

Joy grew up in Bo'ness in Scotland and as a teenager, was a member of the youth academies of both Manchester United and Tranmere Rovers. He began his professional career in Europe, playing for clubs such as Montrose in Scotland, Kidderminster Harriers in England, and Hamburger SV and St. Pauli in Germany. Joy immediately became a fan favorite for St. Pauli. The club won the Regionalliga Nord Championship, getting promotion to the German 2nd Bundesliga in Joy's second season.

He signed for Real Salt Lake from German side St. Pauli in January 2008. Joy Played in 20 MLS games in 2008 helping Real Salt Lake to the MLS play offs for the first time in the franchise history. After a successful trial with German 3. Liga team Fortuna Düsseldorf in January 2009, Joy turned down the chance to return to Europe to continue his career in Major League Soccer. After struggling with injury in 2009, Joy asked to be released from his MLS contract and returned to Europe, There he signed a short term Contract with German 3. Liga team FC Ingolstadt 04 on September 16, 2009 and spent 3 months in injury rehabilitation.

Joy signed with Portland Timbers of the USSF D2 Pro League on February 18, 2010 where he captained the team for the 2010 season.

Personal life

His father, Brian Joy, was also a professional soccer player from the 1960s through the early 1980s in England and the US.