Joel Lindpere

Citizenship:    Estonia (U.S. Green Card Holder)
Last Club:    New York Red Bulls
How Acquired:    Acquired in a trade from the Red Bulls Jan. 4, 2013
Pronunciation:    jol lind-pair

MLS EXPERIENCE

2012: Appeared in all 34 regular season matches for the Red Bulls, starting 26. Scored five goals and added five assists across 2385 minutes. Scored in a 1-0 win at LA 5/5, a 3-2 win at Philadelphia 5/13, a 2-2 tie at Seattle 7/15, a 2-2 tie at DC 8/29 and a 1-1 tie at New England 9/22. Assisted in a 4-1 win at Columbus 4/7, a 2-3 win vs. DC 6/24, a 1-1 tie at Vancouver 6/20, a 2-0 vs. Philadelphia 7/21 and a 1-3 loss at Montreal 7/28. PLAYOFFS: Started both of the Red Bulls’ playoff matches against D.C. United. Went the full 90 minutes of a 1-1 draw 11/3 at RFK Stadium and played 89 minutes of a 1-0 loss at Red Bull Arena 11/8.

2011: Started all 34 games for the Red Bulls, a single-season franchise record, and set team record with 3,048 minutes played. Scored seven goals and seven assists, good for third and first on the team, respectively. Scored first goal of season on April 21 at D.C. in 4-0 victory. Assisted via corner kick on Ballouchy’s game-tying goal on May 21 at Houston. Registered assist on Henry goal on May 25 vs. Colorado. Assisted on Richards’ goal on June 23 at Seattle. Scored second goal of the season on June 26 at Chicago in 1-1 tie. Had first career two goal game on July 2 at San Jose, scoring both goals in a 2-2 tie and was named MLS Player of the Week. Scored a goal and added two assists in 5-0 victory over Toronto FC on July 6. Tallied only goal in 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain July 30. Scored game-tying goal on August 13 in 2-2 draw with Chicago Fire. Scored 10th career goal, seventh of season on Sept. 21 vs. Real Salt Lake. Assisted on Richards’ goal on Sept. 24 in 2-0 win over Portland. Set single-season franchise record in starts in a season on Oct. 4 vs. Los Angeles, making 32nd start of season. Set club’s single-season games played record on Oct. 15 at Sporing KC, making 33rd appearance of the year. Has played more minutes this season than any other player in franchise history in one season.

2010: Played and started 29 matches. Led team with six assists. Played 84 minutes and scored first-ever goal at Red Bull Arena vs. Santos in the 11th minute on March 20.  Scored the lone goal in the Red Bulls’ season opener 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire on March 27. Earned assist against FC Dallas on April 17. Scored in 1-0 victory over Toronto on Aug. 11. Added assist on Aug. 28 vs. San Jose and Sept. 11 vs. Colorado. Assisted on Mehdi Ballouchy goal at FC Dallas on Sept. 16, and also provided the cross that forced game-tying own-goal. Scored third goal of the year on Oct. 21 versus New England. Scored only goal of Res Bulls’ 1-0 playoff victory in San Jose on Oct. 30.

ABROAD
2007-09: Made 75 appearances for Tromso IL of the Norwegian Tippeligaen where he scored five goals.  Netted a goal against top Spanish side Athletico Bilbao in the UEFA Europa League. 2005-06: Completed his final spell with FC Flora. 2004-05: Transferred to Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia. 2002-04: Recalled to FC Flora after his impressive spell with FC Valga. 2001-02: Played for FC Valga of Estonia on loan where he scored 17 goals in 20 games. 2000-01: Began his first of three stints with FC Flora. 1998-2000: Moved to Lelle SK. 1997: Started his career with JK Nomme Kalju with an impressive 14 goals in only seven games.

INTERNATIONAL
Has earned 83 caps and scored five goals for the Estonian National Team. Made his debut for the national team on Nov. 1, 1999 at 18 years of age in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates. Scored his first international goal on Feb. 18, 2004 in a 1-0 win over Moldova. Scored the game winning goal over Liechtenstein in qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup on Aug. 18, 2004.

PERSONAL
Has a 5-year-old son named Juan. Enjoys to barbeque, play golf and go bowling in his free time.