Michael Zaher

Outlook

Zaher joins the Quakes in 2009 as a developmental player. He played last season in the same role with D.C. United, and played his college soccer at UCLA. The defender provides coach Frank Yallop with more depth and youth in the backline for 2009.

2008 MLS

Originally drafted by Toronto FC in the third round (30th overall) of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft ... Was acquired by D.C. United for a first round Supplemental Draft pick on 4/3 and signed to a developmental contract on 4/17 ... Played in three league matches (two starts), totaling 124 minutes on the pitch ... Played in eight games (five starts) in all competitions ... Reserves: Played in ten games (nine starts) and contributed an assist, as the team finished 5-4-1.

PDL Experience

Played for the San Fernando Valley Quakes of the PDL from 2006-2007 … Played with the Quakes while at UCLA … Scored one goal and notched three assists in his 21 matches played.

International

Was a member of the United States U-18 team.

College

Played four years at UCLA … 2007: Co-captain ... Started all 21 games and played all but two minutes ... Third-team NSCAA All-Far West and first-team All-Pac-10 honoree ... First-team Pac-10 All-Academic ... Finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS award, honoring seniors who excel both on and off the field ... Third-team selection to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season ... Second on the team in goals (four) and assists (three) … Ranked third in scoring with 11 points ... 2006: First-team All-Pac-10 and third-team NSCAA All-Far West selection ... Selected as UCLA's Defensive MVP ... Honorable mention Pac-10 All-Academic for the second-straight year ... Ranked second on the team in minutes played with 2,165 ... Scored two goals and notched three assists on the year ... Played and started in 23 games ... UCLA's highest-scoring upperclassman with seven points … 2005: Played in 16 games with seven starts ... Scored first collegiate goal in a 4-0 win at LMU ... Honorable mention Pac-10 All-Academic selection … 2004: Played in nine games as a freshman.

High School/Club

Played at Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas, NV … Two-time Parade All-American and a member of the 2004 McDonald's All-American team and the 2003 NSCAA/adidas All-American team ... Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2004 ... Selected to ESP All-Star Team in 2002 and 2003 ... Three-time all-region, all-state and all-city honoree ... Four-time all-conference selection and league MVP in 2003 ... Led team to the high school state championship in 2002 ... Scored 34 goals as a senior, 25 as a junior, 13 as a sophomore and six as a freshman for a total of 78 career goals ... Earned a varsity letter in 2004 in bowling ... His club soccer team, Las Vegas Premier, won seven Nevada state championships ... ODP Region IV team member from 2001-03.

Personal

Starred as the leading man in JoJo's music video "Too Little Too Late" ... Greatest athletic moment was traveling to England, France, Spain and Brazil to play with the regional and national teams ... Admires Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos ... Hobbies include bowling and playing Risk ... Brother Joe was the 2002 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year at Oregon State and also earned first-team Freshman All-America honors by Soccer America.