{{short description|American soccer player (born 1986)}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Michael Gavin | image = 328107 michael gavin.jpg | caption = Gavin with the LA Galaxy in 2008 | fullname = Michael Gavin | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|3|30}} | birth_place = Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. | height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}} | position = Defender | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 1997–2004 | youthclubs1 = Sereno SC Golden Eagles '86<ref>{{cite web | title=Youth National Championships Get Underway | date=26 January 2002 | url=https://www.southernsoccerscene.com/2002/01/26/youth-national-championships-get-underway/ }}</ref> | youthyears2 = 2000–2004 | youthclubs2 = Horizon High School | college1 = Portland Pilots | collegeyears1 = 2004–2007 | collegecaps1 = 75 | collegegoals1 = 4 | years1 = 2006–2007 | clubs1 = Bradenton Academics | caps1 = 26 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 2008 | clubs2 = Los Angeles Galaxy | caps2 = 2 | goals2 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2008 | nationalteam1 = United States U23 | nationalcaps1 = 0 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | medaltemplates = | pcupdate = 8 April 2009 | ntupdate = }}
'''Michael Gavin''' (born March 30, 1986) is an American former professional soccer player who featured for his teams as a left wing-back.
==Career==
===Youth Levels=== Gavin served as captain of the highly decorated the '86 Sereno Golden Eagles,<ref>{{cite web | title=Michael Gavin - Men's Soccer | url=https://portlandpilots.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/michael-gavin/664 }}</ref> which featured future Major League Soccer players Brandon McDonald, Robbie Findley, Rob Valentino, as well as future NCAA players Joey Vitagliano,<ref>{{cite web | title=YCJ Photos: University of New Mexico vs University of Maryland (12/11/05) - box score | url=https://www.ibiblio.org/footy/2005l/1211_md_nm_ycj.php?page=5 }}</ref> Andrew Antila,<ref>{{cite web | title=Andrew Antila - 2007 - Men's Soccer | url=https://goduke.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/andrew-antila/968 }}</ref> Cody Russell,<ref>{{cite web | title=Cody Russell - Soccer | url=https://bradleybraves.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/cody-russell/6871 }}</ref> Kegan Riley,<ref>{{cite web | title=Kegan Reilly - 2007 - Men's Soccer | url=https://goarmywestpoint.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/kegan-reilly/3065 }}</ref> and Jordan Demos.<ref>{{cite web | title=Jordan Demos - Men's Soccer | date=28 August 2025 | url=https://gculopes.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/jordan-demos/11815 }}</ref>
Gavin's Sereno squad were highly successful, registering eight Arizona state championships (1997-2004), four Far West Region IV championships (2001-2004), three US Youth Soccer National Championships Final Four finishes (2001-2002, 2004), as well as a national runners-up finish (2003).<ref>{{cite web | title=Cody Russell - Soccer | url=https://bradleybraves.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/cody-russell/6871 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Youth National Championships Get Underway | date=26 January 2002 | url=https://www.southernsoccerscene.com/2002/01/26/youth-national-championships-get-underway/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=U.S. Youth Soccer crowns champs | website=NBC News | date=26 July 2003 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3182177 }}</ref> During this period, Gavin found form as an attacking threat at the state<ref>{{Cite web| title=Scoring Leaders | url=https://www.angelfire.com/az3/azpsl/leading%20scorers.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809060840/http://www.angelfire.com/az3/azpsl/leading%20scorers.pdf | archive-date=2019-08-09}}</ref> and national levels,<ref>{{cite web | title=Youth National Championships Get Underway | date=26 January 2002 | url=https://www.southernsoccerscene.com/2002/01/26/youth-national-championships-get-underway/ }}</ref> and represented the Arizona State Olympic Development Team in Far West Region IV competitions from 1998 to 2003.<ref>{{cite web | title=Michael Gavin - Men's Soccer | url=https://portlandpilots.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/michael-gavin/664 }}</ref>
Gavin simultaneously attended Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, and in his lone year playing prep soccer he won the 2003 State Championship.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Boys Soccer Championship Teams | url=https://aiaonline.org/files/222/soccer-team-champs-boys-fall-winter.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506172555/http://aiaonline.org:80/files/222/soccer-team-champs-boys-fall-winter.pdf | archive-date=2018-05-06}}</ref> He was named Horizon's Defensive Player of the Year, chosen as an all-Region first-team performer, and was a 5A all-State selection by The Arizona Republic newspaper.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona | date=9 March 2003 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/125031632/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Michael Gavin - Men's Soccer | url=https://portlandpilots.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/michael-gavin/664 }}</ref>
Gavin concluded his youth career in 2004 by signing a National Letter of Intent to play at the University of Portland.<ref>{{cite web | title=Men's Soccer Announces Two New Recruits | date=April 2004 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2004/4/1/219.aspx }}</ref>
===College===
Gavin went on to represent Portland Pilots men's soccer from 2004 to 2007.<ref>{{cite web | title=Michael Gavin - Men's Soccer | url=https://portlandpilots.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/michael-gavin/664 }}</ref> Gavin opened his college career by being named the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and an all-Conference selection in 2004.<ref>{{cite web | title=Chandler, Coach Visser Claim Top WCC Soccer Honors | date=17 November 2004 | url=https://wccsports.com/news/2004/11/17/Chandler_Coach_Visser_Claim_Top_WCC_Soccer_Honors.aspx?path=msoc }}</ref> During his tenure, Gavin started 71 of his 75 appearances<ref>{{cite web | title=Men's Soccer Statistics | url=https://portlandpilots.com/sports/2008/8/6/MSOC_0806080024 }}</ref> as the Pilots were ranked in the Top 25 by the United Soccer Coaches,<ref>{{cite web | title=College Rankings Archive | United Soccer Coaches | url=https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/college-rankings-archive/ }}</ref> TopDrawerSoccer,<ref>{{cite web | title=No. 25 Pilots Look to Make a Statement Against Cal Poly, Santa Clara | date=14 November 2007 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2007/11/14/69111.aspx }}</ref> Soccer America,<ref>{{cite web | title=Pilot Men Ranked 19th in Soccer America Preseason Poll | date=30 August 2004 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2004/8/30/75590.aspx }}</ref> and College Soccer News.<ref>{{cite web | title=College Soccer News Rank Pilots 24th in Preseason Poll | date=26 July 2004 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2004/7/26/41123.aspx }}</ref> His collegiate career culminated in earning the captaincy for his side, developing a knack for scoring crucial late goals,<ref>{{cite web | title=Gavin Buries Game-Winner in 110th minute as Pilots top San Diego 1-0 | date=9 November 2007 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2007/11/9/90248.aspx }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Gavin Named WCC Co-Player of the Week | date=October 2007 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2007/10/1/66508.aspx }}</ref> being named to conference<ref>{{cite web | title=Gavin Named WCC Co-Player of the Week | date=October 2007 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2007/10/1/66508.aspx }}</ref> and national Teams of the Week<ref>{{cite web | title=Gavin Lands on Soccer America's Team of the Week | date=13 November 2007 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2007/11/13/22275.aspx }}</ref> by various publications, receiving all-Conference honors,<ref>{{cite web | title=Eight Pilots Earn All-WCC Honors | date=21 November 2007 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2007/11/21/45533.aspx }}</ref> and being named the Pilots' Most Inspirational Player.<ref>{{Cite web | title=2024 Men's Soccer Info Guide (PDF) - University of Portland Athletics | url=https://portlandpilots.com/documents/2024/8/26/2024_Men_s_Soccer_Info_Guide.pdf | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=portlandpilots.com}}</ref>
While Gavin demonstrated himself to be a threat by scoring four goals himself and assisting on four others, professional scouts were drawn to Gavin's defensive prowess, as he was only shown 3 yellow cards during his college career and never sent off.<ref>{{cite web | title=Men's Soccer Statistics | url=https://portlandpilots.com/sports/2008/8/6/MSOC_0806080024 }}</ref>
===Professional=== After Gavin spent two years with the Bradenton Academics of the USL Premier Development League,<ref>{{cite web | title=Bradenton Academics All-time Stats | SoccerStats.us | url=http://soccerstats.us/teams/bradenton-academics/stats/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Michael Gavin | SoccerStats.us | url=http://soccerstats.us/bios/michael-gavin/ }}</ref> he was selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy as the 4th overall pick in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft,<ref>{{cite web | title=Galaxy Take Gavin in MLS Supplemental Draft | date=25 January 2008 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2008/1/25/66642.aspx }}</ref> and started the 2008 season as the team's first-choice left back.<ref>{{cite web | title=Gavin Makes MLS Debut with the L.A. Galaxy | date=4 April 2008 | url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2008/4/4/11586.aspx }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Michael Gavin {{!}} MLSsoccer.com | url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/michael-gavin/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.mlssoccer.com}}</ref> However, after he departed for a national team call-up, he was dropped from the Starting XI. Gavin was reduced to a place on the bench as an unused substitute for the remainder of the season while the 2008 Galaxy side struggled to find consistent performance and leadership - the team were knocked out of the 2008 U.S. Open Cup, suffered a last place finish in the league, cycled through three different managers,<ref>{{cite web | title=Galaxy parts ways with Lalas, Gullit | website=Los Angeles Times | date=12 August 2008 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-12-sp-galaxy12-story.html }}</ref> and also changed sporting directors.<ref>{{cite web | title=Arena is new Galaxy coach, GM | website=Los Angeles Times | date=19 August 2008 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-19-sp-galaxy19-story.html }}</ref>
After Gavin began the 2009 season with the Galaxy,<ref>{{Cite web | title=Galaxy unveil 2009 preseason roster {{!}} MLSSoccer.com | url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/galaxy-unveil-2009-preseason-roster | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.mlssoccer.com}}</ref> Bruce Arena overhauled his player personnel in favor of more experience, which ultimately left Gavin outside of the club's final 24-man roster for that season.<ref>{{cite web | title=The LA Galaxy | url=https://thelagalaxy.blogspot.com/2009/02/ }}</ref>
===International career=== Gavin was chosen to represent the United States U-23 National Team in the 2008 Toulon Tournament (now known as the Maurice Revello Tournament).<ref>{{cite web | title=Festival International Espoirs Football Tournoi Maurice Revello Toulon | url=https://www.tournoimauricerevello.com/en/smartphone/festival/archives/palmares.php?annee=2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Festival International Espoirs Football Tournoi Maurice Revello Toulon | url=https://www.tournoimauricerevello.com/en/smartphone/festival/archives/detail_joueur.php?id=1094 }}</ref>
==Personal== Michael is the older brother of midfielder Blair Gavin. He resides with his wife and 3 children in Vernal, Utah.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{MLSNet|la|galaxy|t106|gavin_m|gav305636|name=Michael Gavin|MLS}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080122021129/http://www.portlandpilots.com/sports/msoccer/rosters/displayPlayer.asp?PLAYER_ID=1014 Portland Pilots bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gavin, Michael}} Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:American men's soccer players Category:Men's association football defenders Category:IMG Academy Bradenton players Category:LA Galaxy draft picks Category:LA Galaxy players Category:Major League Soccer players Category:Portland Pilots men's soccer players Category:Soccer players from Scottsdale, Arizona Category:United States men's under-23 international soccer players Category:USL League Two players