Skylar Thomas
FullnameSkylar Rutherford Thomas
Birth dateJuly 27, 1993 (age 33)
Birth placeScarborough, Ontario, Canada
Height1.93 m
PositionCentre-back
Youthclubs 1Pickering SC
Youthyears 22012
Youthclubs 2Toronto FC
Collegeyears 12011–2014
College 1Syracuse Orange
Collegecaps 156
Collegegoals 18
Years 12014
Clubs 1Reading United
Caps 16
Goals 10
Years 22015–2016
Clubs 2Toronto FC II
Caps 247
Goals 24
Years 32017–2018
Clubs 3Charleston Battery
Caps 349
Goals 31
Years 42019
Clubs 4Valour FC
Caps 422
Goals 40
Years 52020
Clubs 5Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Caps 516
Goals 51
Years 62021
Clubs 6Memphis 901
Caps 629
Goals 62
Nationalyears 12015–2016
Nationalteam 1Canada U23
Nationalcaps 17
Nationalgoals 11

Skylar Rutherford Thomas (born July 27, 1993) is a former Canadian professional soccer player.

Club career

Early career

Thomas began playing soccer at age six with Pickering SC.[1]

Thomas attended Syracuse University for four years, playing for the Orange.[2] During his senior year at Syracuse in 2014, he was named All-ACC Second Team and NSCAA All-South Region Second Team.[3] In 2012, he played with TFC Academy in the Canadian Soccer League.[4]

Toronto FC II

Thomas was drafted in the first round, 11th overall, in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC on January 15, 2015.[5] On March 12 it was announced that he had signed with Toronto's affiliate team, Toronto FC II in the USL ahead of their inaugural season.[6] He made his debut on April 19 against Whitecaps FC 2 as a substitute for Daniel Fabrizi.

Charleston Battery

Thomas would sign with Charleston Battery for the 2017 season, and would appear in 8 of the team's 13 clean sheets. Upon completion of the 2017 season, Thomas would have his option with the club exercised for the 2018 season.[7]

Valour FC

Thomas signed for Canadian Premier League club Valour FC in November 2018, having played previously for head coach Rob Gale with the Canadian U-23 national team.[8] Upon signing with Valour, Thomas indicated he wanted to be a part of building the league.[9]

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

On February 25, 2020, Thomas joined Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC ahead of the 2020 season.[10]

Memphis 901

On March 22, 2021, Thomas moved to USL Championship side Memphis 901.[11]

International career

Thomas has represented Canada at the U18 and U20 level, appearing in camps for both in 2011 and 2012, respectively.[12][13][14]

In May 2016, Thomas was called to Canada's U23 national team for a pair of friendlies against Guyana and Grenada.[15] He saw action in both matches.[16]

Personal life

Thomas was born in Scarborough, Ontario, to a Canadian mother and a Trinidadian father.[1] When he was five, his family moved to Pickering.[1] In 2019, Thomas joined the athletics ambassador team for a children's charity organization known as Their Opportunity.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Skylar Thomas". Canada Soccer. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Skylar Thomas". Syracuse University. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Toronto FC II announces signing of eight players". March 12, 2015. Archived October 2, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  4. ^ "Senior Squad". July 1, 2012. Archived July 1, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  5. ^ "Toronto FC selects Skylar Thomas with 11th pick in MLS SuperDraft". January 15, 2015.
  6. ^ Rowaan, Dave (March 12, 2015). "Toronto FC II sign eight players"
  7. ^ "Nine return to Charleston Battery for 2018". Charleston Battery. December 4, 2017.
  8. ^ "Ledgerwood, Bekker lead first wave of Canadian Premier League signings". November 29, 2018.
  9. ^ "Previously 'lost' in U.S. league, Valour's Skylar Thomas targets national team return". Canadian Premier League. January 5, 2019.
  10. ^ "HOUNDS SIGN DEFENDER SKYLAR THOMAS, GOALKEEPER DANNY VITIELLO". riverhounds.com. February 25, 2020.
  11. ^ "Memphis Brings Aboard Canadian Defender Skylar Thomas". March 22, 2021.
  12. ^ "[2012-07] Men's U-20 camp". Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  13. ^ "[2011-01] Men's U-18 camp". Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  14. ^ "[2011-12] Men's U-18 camp". Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  15. ^ Canada Soccer Association. "Canada announces roster for Caribbean tour". Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  16. ^ Canada Soccer Association. "Canada m23 wins again on Caribbean tour". Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  17. ^ "Their Opportunity - Our Team". Their Opportunity. Retrieved 29 October 2024.