Brek Shea

Dane Brekken "Brek" Shea (born February 28, 1990) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a left midfielder or left-back.

Shea began his career with Major League Soccer team FC Dallas after playing in the IMG Academy.

He attended U.S. Soccer's youth residency program, and later went to train with Bolton Wanderers in England in October 2007.

Shea did not play college soccer and instead turned professional straight out of high school.

He made his debut during the 2008 season and helped Dallas reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2010 and 2011.

He was drafted 2nd overall by FC Dallas in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and he signed a Generation Adidas contract.

He made his MLS debut for Dallas on April 20, 2008, as a substitute against Chivas USA in the 86th minute.

Brek appeared in five of the team's six international friendlies and made eight starts with the reserve team before he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on September 19, 2008.

Shea earned his first professional start on May 23, 2009 in a match versus the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Shea spent his first two seasons with the club playing as a utility man, including spells as a striker, a central midfielder and as a defender.

He eventually settled in at left winger during the 2010 MLS season.

Shea scored his first professional goal on May 15 against the Philadelphia Union.

During the 2010 Season, Shea finished seventh on the team in minutes played (1,797) and made a career high 25 regular season appearances, ending the season with five goals and four assists, as well as having 2 assists in four playoff games.

Shea graduated from the MLS Generation Adidas program at the end of the 2010 season.

After playing left midfield during a Generation Adidas trip to Spain, Shea started the 2011 season at center-back, with manager Schellas Hyndman saying he found Shea's talents better used there.

During a match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC David Ferreira came down with an injury and much of his scoring role was passed onto Shea.

Coach Schellas Hyndman soon started playing Shea midfield, and he blossomed into a top player of the 2011 MLS season.

Shea was named to the MLS Team of Week 11, 14, and 16 in the 2011 MLS season for his performances against Seattle Sounders FC, Houston Dynamo, Chivas USA, and Columbus Crew.

Following Ferreira's injury he led FC Dallas to 10 wins (the first team in the 2011 MLS season to do so) led the club in goals, and as a result he was named to the MLS All-Star Game as a midfielder.

As part of the events surrounding the All-Star Game, Shea and New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on July 22.

However, Shea was unable to play in the game due to a CONCACAF Champions League match.

During a match against Sporting Kansas City Brek Shea helped Dallas rally back from 2–0 down to win 3–2, with two crosses in the final two minutes, to Maicon Santos and Bobby Warshaw respectively.

Following the end of the 2011 MLS campaign, where Shea was an MVP nominee.

On November 10, 2011, it was announced that Shea would spend a month of his offseason training under manager Arsène Wenger at Arsenal.

Shea would have a disappointing follow up to his successful 2011 campaign, only netting three goals in the 2012 FC Dallas season mired by injury problems.

It was announced in November 2012 that Shea would be out an estimated three months following surgery for the removal of a bone in his right foot.

Shea made one more substitute appearance before manager Tony Pulis ruled him out for the remainder of the 2012–13 season because his foot operation had affected his fitness.

In January 2013, Shea joined English Premier League side Stoke City for a fee of £2.5 million.

In January 2013 Shea joined English side Stoke City on a week-long trial.

However, he failed to arrive in England after negotiations between MLS and Stoke broke down.

On January 28, MLS accepted an improved offer from Stoke.

Shea joined English Premier League club Stoke City on January 31, 2013 for a fee of £2.5 million on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

He made his debut for Stoke against Fulham on February 23.

After the match Shea said he was glad to be playing again after his injury but admitted he was disappointed with his performance.

After scoring the winning goal in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, Shea joined up with the Stoke squad on their pre-season tour of the United States and played against the Philadelphia Union where he scored in a 2–0 victory.

He also picked up a knee injury which saw him miss the start of the 2013–14 season.

Shea failed to make an impact at Stoke and after spending time on loan at Barnsley and Birmingham City he joined Orlando City SC in December 2014.

Shea was traded to Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2017.

Shea was signed by Atlanta United FC as a free agent for the 2019 season.

While in school in Texas, Shea won four consecutive state championships playing for the Texans SC youth soccer organization in Houston, Texas.