Name Jordan Cila Position Midfielder 2003 Brooklyn Knights Education Duke University | Years Team Height 1.78 m 2000–2003 Duke Role Soccer player | |
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Date of birth (1982-04-11) April 11, 1982 (age 33) Place of birth Jericho, New York, United States | ||
Playing position | ||
NYRB - 08-26-06 - Jordan Cila Goal
Jordan Cila (born April 11, 1982) is an American former soccer midfielder who now works at Goldman Sachs.
As a teenager, Cila trained at the Bradenton Academy with the Under-17 United States national team, with such players as Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, and Bobby Convey. He played for the United States in the 1999 Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand. Afterwards, he opted to attend Duke University and play college soccer while many of his teammates turned professional as teenagers.
After scoring 13 goals and 9 assists during his freshman season, Cila's scoring output declined every year as he moved from forward to deeper and deeper midfield positions. He scored 17 goals and 26 assists in his last three seasons combined.
Upon graduating, Cila went undrafted in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. He received a trial with the Colorado Rapids on the insistence of two of his former Bradenton teammates, Kyle Beckerman and Seth Trembly, and surprised coach Tim Hankinson by earning a developmental contract with the team. Cila earned playing time at his old striker position, scoring several key goals, and eventually earned a starting spot. Although he was moved further back towards the end of the season, Cila finished the year with 21 appearances and 15 starts, scoring four goals and two assists as one of the league's biggest rookie surprises.
Cila's old coach at Bradenton, John Ellinger, acquired him for Real Salt Lake for the club's inaugural season and he scored three goals in limited action. In 2006, he was sent to the New York Red Bulls, but left the club at the end of the season.
In 2008 Cila retired from professional soccer to join the investment bank Goldman Sachs on the interest rate sales desk.
Cila's father, Renato Cila, played in the old NASL as well as the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). He played for both The Baltimore Blast and New York Arrows in the MISL. Cila's younger siblings are Sam and Gabriella.