Nathaniel Short

Nathaniel "Nano" Short (born 28 January 1985 in London) is an English footballer who currently plays for GPS Portland Phoenix in the USL Premier Development League.

Career

Early life and College

Short grew up in Taunton in the English county of Somerset, attended Ladymead School, and played for English non-league sides Wellington and Bridgwater Town before coming to the United States on a scholarship in 2005.

He played four years of college soccer at Lynn University, earned an All-Sunshine State Conference Honorable Mention honors and a Daktronics First Team All-Region selection as a sophomore, was named the Fighting Knights’ Most Valuable Player and to the All-SSC First Team as a junior, and earned All-American honors during his senior year. During his 4 years as a Fighting Knight he scored 25 career goals and amassed 25 career assists.

During his college career he also played with the Cape Cod Crusaders in the USL Premier Development League.

Professional

Short signed his first professional contract in 2009, with the Rochester Rhinos in the USL First Division. He made his professional debut on 18 April 2009, in Rochester's season-opening game against Carolina RailHawks.

Retirement

On the Kick This radio show in Rochester on Saturday, 9 April 2011, Nano Short announced his retirement from professional soccer. Short cited a combination of injury and lack of money in the American Leagues for his retirement from the professional game at such an early age.

Coming out of retirement

Short announced via Twitter and through Portland Maine Phoenix website that he will be coming out of retirement for the 2012 PDL season. He signed for his former coach of the Cape Cod Crusaders along with some of his ex Crusaders teammates.

Honors

Rochester Rhinos

Rochester Rhinos Rookie of the year 2009

USL Team of the Week; Following his goal against MSFC

• USSF Division 2 Pro League Regular Season Champions (1): 2010