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Cory Gibbs

Cory Gibbs (born January 14, 1980 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is an American soccer player, who currently plays central defender for Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Gibbs played his college soccer at Brown University, joining the team in 1998. In 2000, Gibbs led Brown to an Ivy League championship, and the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, and was named Ivy League Player of the Year, and a First Team All-American.

After his junior season, Gibbs left Brown to join FC St. Pauli of the Bundesliga. Gibbs played 25 games for St. Pauli that season, becoming the youngest American to score a goal in the Bundesliga with a goal against FC Cologne. St. Pauli were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga after the 2001-2002 season, and Gibbs played an equally important role with the team in his second season as in his first. St. Pauli, however, were relegated again after the 2002-2003 season, this time to the Regionalliga Nord , the German third division. Gibbs remained with the team, being moved from central defense to defensive midfielder.

Gibbs decided to leave St. Pauli during 2003, however, not only because the level of play was below his standards, but also because he had little chance of getting called to the United States national team. After a move to Jahn Regensburg of the 2. Bundesliga fell through, Gibbs decided to return to the United States and play in Major League Soccer, where he would be easily visible and available for international matches. Although the Columbus Crew initially tried to acquire Gibbs, he eventually ended up with the Dallas Burn, a team coming off one of the worst seasons in league history.

In his first year with the team, Gibbs has proven himself to be one of the better defenders in the league, anchoring a defense that radically improved from just a year ago. He has been a first choice player in every game that he has been available for. But Gibbs stayed only a year in MLS; on January 20, 2005, Dutch giants Feyenoord agreed on a transfer with MLS, and Gibbs signed a 4½-year contract with the club. A few formalities, including a Netherlands work permit, have to be ironed out before Gibbs can join Feyenoord.

Additionally, Gibbs's return to the U.S. has helped his national team career, as he has received frequent callups for World Cup Qualifiers. Gibbs has solidified his position as the United States's third-choice central defender, behind Eddie Pope and Carlos Bocanegra. Since making his first full international appearance June 8, 2003, in the Confederations Cup against New Zealand, Gibbs has received nine caps for the national team.

Last updated: 05-07-2005 04:34:56
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04