How it all came to be...
Growing up in St. Louis, Mo., Brian Kamler loved any sport that involved a ball. So, his parents got him involved in as many different sports as possible in the local YMCA. Even though his parents did not have any background or knowledge in soccer, Kamler grew to love the sport. Starting at the age of five, Kamler played for two years with the YMCA. He then started playing soccer with his church league in St. Louis. Church leagues are very popular back in St. Louis and Kamler played with them for about three years. After playing at the YMCA and with the church league, Kamler was ready for the next step. He tried out for his first club team, the Dr. Pepper Peppers, when he was ten years-old and played with them for about a year. He then joined up with another club team named Sprite whom he played with for about a year. Kamler finally joined up with Anheuser Busch when he was 12 years-old and stayed with Busch until he entered college. Busch was very successful with Kamler leading the team to an Under-16 National Championship.
Kamler attended Parkway West High School in Chesterfield, Mo. where he played four years of varsity soccer and won the state title when he was a freshman. Kamler had a very successful senior year with the Olympic Development Program. With his first tryout for ODP, Kamler made it to the highest level and his name was added to the National Team player pool. After club, high school and ODP successes, Kamler was offered a scholarship to attend and play at Creighton University. He looked at Boston University, Syracuse and University of North Carolina at Greensboro, but decided that Creighton was a better fit for him because of the coach and how much he loved the school. At Creighton, Kamler was very versatile and played as a defender, midfielder and forward. Kamler claimed All-Midwest and All-Missouri Valley Conference honors and scored 53 goals and recorded 23 assists for 140 points during his collegiate career. The three-time All-American was inducted into the Creighton University Athletic Hall of Fame in April 2002, becoming the first soccer player in the school's history to be so honored.
After college, Kamler wanted to continue to play soccer at a high level. In 1994, he joined the St. Louis Knights who were a part of the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL), now known as United Soccer Leagues (USL). During the 1995 season he moved to the Richmond Strikers with the USL and played a season with them. In 1996, Kamler and the rest of the soccer-loving world had a dream come true. A professional league was emerging and Kamler wanted to be a part of it. It just seemed like the right next step for Kamler. Kamler got his wish when he was selected in the Sixth Round (Sixth Overall) of the 1996 Inaugural MLS Draft by D.C. United. In his first three seasons in the MLS, Kamler helped lead D.C. United to three straight MLS Cup appearances between 1996 and 1998, appearing in 39 games and winning two MLS Cups. In the 1999 season, Kamler played 16 games with D.C. United, netting one goal and recording one assist before being traded to Miami where he played 12 games notching two assists.
Kamler recorded three assists in the 28 games he played for the Fusion during the 2000 season. In 2001, D.C. United wanted Kamler back and they got their wish. Acquiring him via trade with the Miami Fusion in exchange for Carlos Llamosa and a First Round draft pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft on February 3, 2001. Kamler played 17 games for D.C. United, while recording two assists for the season. In the 2002 season, Kamler made his way to the MetroStars in a trade with D.C. United in exchange for Richie Williams and future considerations on February 10, 2002. The versatile midfielder/defender gave the MetroStars depth and experience on the left side, netting one goal and one assist before being traded to the New England Revolution.
The Revolution acquired Kamler in a three player trade with the MetroStars in exchange for Mamadou Diallo, Andy Williams and Ted Chronopoulos on May 24, 2002. Kamler split time with Winston Griffiths on the left side of the New England midfield. Kamler demonstrated his ability to go forward, scoring two game-winning goals and finishing second on the team in that category. His offensive awakening continued in the playoffs as he led the team in points (6), scoring two goals and tallying two assists. The 2003 season turned out to be a good one for Kamler where he started in the left midfielder for the Revolution, posting career highs in goals scored (6) and points (17). Kamler was selected as an MLS All-star for the first time in his eight year MLS career for his performance for New England during the 2003 season. In his final season with the Revolution, Kamler had a successful season and played both defender and midfielder before being left unprotected for the 2004 Expansion Draft. Kamler was selected in the Fourth Round (Eighth overall) of the 2004 MLS Expansion Draft by Real Salt Lake and says that there has been unbelievable support from the community and fans. "This is a fun place to play," stated Kamler.
Coach Ellinger's Call...
"Brian Kamler is a solid veteran who has been in the League since it started in 1996. His senior leadership on and off the field is invaluable to me as a coach, which helps to bring the younger players along and show them the ropes. He is an excellent player and he can play anywhere in the midfield or backline. We put him in a new position this season, defensive center midfield, and he has done a great job adjusting to the position and controlling our midfield."
Field Vision: Defender Evan Whitfield says...
"Brian has an amazing left-footed shot and he has scored some pretty nice goals over the years with that foot. He's transitioned nicely to the defensive midfielder and that goes to show you how good of a player he is. Brian is a great tackler and hard-worker, and don't let him fool you with his super nice personality off the field because on the field he is aggressive and intense."
Things you need to know...
Nickname:
Kam
Hobbies:
Collecting Disney stuff, sports, PlayStation
Major in college:
Exercise Science
Most memorable moments:
MLS Cup 1 (1996), 2 (1997), 7 (2002), Winning CONCACAF & InterAmerican Cups, 1st MLS game at San Jose (1996), being drafted by D.C. United
Favorite music:
U2, Disney, John Williams' soundtracks
Favorite movie:
Elf, Miracle
Favorite food:
Italian
Favorite book:
The Harry Potter books
Favorite TV show:
Extreme Home Makeover
Wife's name:
Suzanne
Greatest accomplishments:
Getting Married
Charities/causes:
All of them
