Bowling Green State University Athletics
Steve Klein Named to USL-1 All-Decade Team
January 29, 2010 | Men's Soccer
Falcon Hall-of-Famer recognized by professional circuit
Former Bowling Green State University men's soccer standout Steve Klein has been listed among the top players of the past decade in the United Soccer Leagues. Klein was listed at number 24 on the USL-1 Top 25 players of the decade in an article on USLsoccer.com.
The professional league's web site is listing the best and most influential players of the last 10 years. According to the article, written by Gerald Barnhart, this list is subjective, but "the emphasis is primarily on the players who have been the best and most influential from 2000-09 in context of the league. ... this list is dedicated to those who have made a lengthy or lasting impact on the competition."
Klein, a member of the BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame, still holds the school's scoring record. A native of Nashville, Tenn., he ended his standout career in the Brown and Orange by being named the MAC Player of the Year and an NSCAA First-Team All-American as a senior. A three-time All-Mideast Region honoree, he led the MAC and the region in scoring in that senior season of 1996, with 50 points on 18 goals and 14 assists.
He helped the Falcons to a four-year record of 57-20-4, including an 18-4-1 ledger as a senior, when BGSU won the MAC's regular-season and tournament crowns. BG advanced to the 'Sweet 16' of the NCAA Championships in both his junior and senior seasons.
In the story, Barnhart writes, "Klein is the definition of a blue collar midfielder if there ever was one. He quietly went about building quite a resume over the course of the decade, picking up three All-League selections before wrapping up his career in Vancouver from 2005-07. Klein, who began playing in the league in 1998, was a member of the Hershey Wildcats from 1999-2001 and helped lead the team to the championship game in 2001.
"After missing the 2002 campaign he became a key member of the Charleston Battery midfield as the team finally captured its first league championship in 2003. He stayed with the Battery one more season before moving to Vancouver under his former Hershey coach, Bob Lilley. There, he helped the team win its first league championship in 2006."
Klein finished his career at BGSU as the school's all-time leader in assists (45) and points (119), records that he still owns. His goal total of 37 ties him for third in BGSU career annals.
The USLsoccer.com site will continue unveiling its top players of the decade over the next few months.
The professional league's web site is listing the best and most influential players of the last 10 years. According to the article, written by Gerald Barnhart, this list is subjective, but "the emphasis is primarily on the players who have been the best and most influential from 2000-09 in context of the league. ... this list is dedicated to those who have made a lengthy or lasting impact on the competition."
Klein, a member of the BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame, still holds the school's scoring record. A native of Nashville, Tenn., he ended his standout career in the Brown and Orange by being named the MAC Player of the Year and an NSCAA First-Team All-American as a senior. A three-time All-Mideast Region honoree, he led the MAC and the region in scoring in that senior season of 1996, with 50 points on 18 goals and 14 assists.
He helped the Falcons to a four-year record of 57-20-4, including an 18-4-1 ledger as a senior, when BGSU won the MAC's regular-season and tournament crowns. BG advanced to the 'Sweet 16' of the NCAA Championships in both his junior and senior seasons.
In the story, Barnhart writes, "Klein is the definition of a blue collar midfielder if there ever was one. He quietly went about building quite a resume over the course of the decade, picking up three All-League selections before wrapping up his career in Vancouver from 2005-07. Klein, who began playing in the league in 1998, was a member of the Hershey Wildcats from 1999-2001 and helped lead the team to the championship game in 2001.
"After missing the 2002 campaign he became a key member of the Charleston Battery midfield as the team finally captured its first league championship in 2003. He stayed with the Battery one more season before moving to Vancouver under his former Hershey coach, Bob Lilley. There, he helped the team win its first league championship in 2006."
Klein finished his career at BGSU as the school's all-time leader in assists (45) and points (119), records that he still owns. His goal total of 37 ties him for third in BGSU career annals.
The USLsoccer.com site will continue unveiling its top players of the decade over the next few months.
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