PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2013: In his second season with the Black-and-Red, Neal provided a leadership role in the midfield playing in nine games (five starts) with one assist on the year. Most notably, Neal scored the game-winning goal in the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Real Salt Lake on 10/1 to give United its 13th major Domestic and International championship.
2012: In his first season in Major League Soccer, Neal appeared in 18 games (seven starts), logging more than 700 minutes and tallying two goals and an assist. Those two strikes were crucial game-winners, too – the first a 63rd minute placed finish on September 15 against New England and the second a stoppage-time strike on October 20 against Columbus that propelled the club to its first playoff berth in five years.
2011: Neal signed with USL Pro expansion side Orlando City SC in March 2011. The Leicester native helped the team win the USL Pro Championship during the club’s inaugural campaign, also claiming the Commissioner’s Cup as regular season champions. Neal scored four goals in 21 matches with Orlando City.
2009-11: Neal signed with Shrewsbury Town of the Football League 2. He tallied two goals in 31 appearances for the team.
2005-09: Prior to the 2005 season, Neal was traded to Preston North End. Over four seasons, he scored five goals in 65 appearances. In 2008, Neal was loaned to Notts County and appeared in four matches. He was then loaned to Carlisle United for 16 matches, going on to score two goals.
2000-05: Neal made his professional debut as a 19-year-old for Stoke City after climbing through the club’s youth ranks. He made 70 total appearances and scored two goals over five seasons. In 2001, Neal was briefly loaned to Iceland’s IBV, where he tallied a goal in five matches.
ACQUIRED
Signed by D.C. United on March 13, 2012.
