# Michael Gavin

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{{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](/source/Scottsdale%2C_Arizona), U.S.
| height               = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}
| position             = [Defender](/source/Defender_(association_football))
| 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](/source/Horizon_High_School_(Scottsdale%2C_Arizona))
| college1             = [Portland Pilots](/source/Portland_Pilots_men's_soccer)
| collegeyears1        = 2004–2007
| collegecaps1         = 75
| collegegoals1        = 4
| years1               = 2006–2007
| clubs1               = [Bradenton Academics](/source/Bradenton_Academics)
| caps1                = 26 
| goals1               = 1
| years2               = 2008
| clubs2               = [Los Angeles Galaxy](/source/Los_Angeles_Galaxy)
| caps2                = 2
| goals2               = 0
| nationalyears1       = 2008
| nationalteam1        = [United States U23](/source/United_States_men's_national_under-23_soccer_team)
| nationalcaps1        = 0
| nationalgoals1       = 0
| medaltemplates       =
| pcupdate             = 8 April 2009
| ntupdate             = 
}}

'''Michael Gavin''' (born March 30, 1986) is an American former professional [soccer](/source/soccer) player who featured for his teams as a [left wing-back](/source/left_wing-back).

==Career==

===Youth Levels===
Gavin served as [captain](/source/Captain_(association_football)) 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](/source/Major_League_Soccer) players [Brandon McDonald](/source/Brandon_McDonald_(soccer)), [Robbie Findley](/source/Robbie_Findley), [Rob Valentino](/source/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](/source/Arizona_Soccer_Association) state championships (1997-2004), four Far West Region IV championships (2001-2004), three [US Youth Soccer National Championships](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Horizon_High_School_(Scottsdale%2C_Arizona)) in [Scottsdale, Arizona](/source/Scottsdale%2C_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](/source/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](/source/National_Letter_of_Intent) to play at the [University of Portland](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/United_Soccer_Coaches),<ref>{{cite web | title=College Rankings Archive &#124; United Soccer Coaches | url=https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/college-rankings-archive/ }}</ref> [TopDrawerSoccer](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Yellow_card_(sport)) during his college career and never [sent off](/source/Ejection_(sports)).<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](/source/Bradenton_Academics) of the [USL Premier Development League](/source/USL_Premier_Development_League),<ref>{{cite web | title=Bradenton Academics All-time Stats &#124; SoccerStats.us | url=http://soccerstats.us/teams/bradenton-academics/stats/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Michael Gavin &#124; SoccerStats.us | url=http://soccerstats.us/bios/michael-gavin/ }}</ref> he was selected by the [Los Angeles Galaxy](/source/Los_Angeles_Galaxy) as the 4th overall pick in the [2008 MLS Supplemental Draft](/source/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](/source/2008_Toulon_Tournament_squads), he was dropped from the [Starting XI](/source/Starting_lineup). Gavin was reduced to a place on the bench as an [unused substitute](/source/Substitution_(sport)) 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](/source/2008_U.S._Open_Cup_qualification), suffered a last place finish in the [league](/source/2008_Major_League_Soccer_season), cycled through three different [managers](/source/Manager_(association_football)),<ref>{{cite web | title=Galaxy parts ways with Lalas, Gullit | website=[Los Angeles Times](/source/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 director](/source/sporting_director)s.<ref>{{cite web | title=Arena is new Galaxy coach, GM | website=[Los Angeles Times](/source/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](/source/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](/source/United_States_men's_national_soccer_team) in the [2008 Toulon Tournament](/source/2008_Toulon_Tournament) (now known as the [Maurice Revello Tournament](/source/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](/source/Blair_Gavin). He resides with his wife and 3 children in [Vernal, Utah](/source/Vernal%2C_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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Michael Gavin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Gavin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Gavin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.