View source for Eric Wynalda

{{Short description|American soccer player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name           = Eric Wynalda
| image          = Eric Wynalda - 2012-07-14 - Atlanta Silverbacks.jpg
| caption        = Wynalda while coaching for Atlanta Silverbacks in 2012
| fullname       = Eric Boswell Wynalda
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1969|6|9}}
| birth_place    = [[Fullerton, California]], United States
| height         = 5 ft 10+1/2 in
| position       = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| collegeyears1  = 1987–1989
| college1       = [[San Diego State Aztecs men's soccer|San Diego State Aztecs]]
| collegegoals1  = 34
| years1         = 1988–1992
| clubs1         = [[San Diego Nomads]]
| caps1          = 6
| goals1         = 0
| years2         = 1990–1992
| clubs2         = → [[San Francisco Bay Blackhawks]] (loan)
| caps2          = 48
| goals2         = 17
| years3         = 1992–1994
| clubs3         = [[1. FC Saarbrücken]]
| caps3          = 61
| goals3         = 23
| years4         = 1994–1996
| clubs4         = [[VfL Bochum]]
| caps4          = 29
| goals4         = 2
| years5         = 1996–1999
| clubs5         = [[San Jose Clash]]
| caps5          = 57
| goals5         = 21
| years6         = 1999
| clubs6         = → [[Club León|León]] (loan)
| caps6          = 5
| goals6         = 0
| years7         = 1999–2000
| clubs7         = [[Miami Fusion]]
| caps7          = 12
| goals7         = 3
| years8         = 2000–2001
| clubs8         = [[New England Revolution]]<ref name = "ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf"/>
| caps8          = 8
| goals8         = 0
| years9         = 2001
| clubs9         = [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]]
| caps9          = 21
| goals9         = 10
| years10        = 2002
| clubs10        = [[Charleston Battery]]
| caps10         = 0
| goals10        = 0
| years11        = 2007–2008
| clubs11        = [[Bakersfield Brigade]]
| caps11         = 4
| goals11        = 0
| totalcaps      = 251
| totalgoals     = 77
| nationalyears1 = 1990–2000
| nationalteam1  = [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]]
| nationalcaps1  = 106
| nationalgoals1 = 34
| manageryears1  = 2010–2011
| managerclubs1  = [[San Diego Flash]] (assistant)
| manageryears2  = 2012
| managerclubs2  = [[Cal FC]]
| manageryears3  = 2012
| managerclubs3  = [[Atlanta Silverbacks]] (interim)
| manageryears4  = 2014
| managerclubs4  = [[Atlanta Silverbacks]]
| manageryears5  = 2017
| managerclubs5  = [[L.A. Wolves FC|L.A. Wolves]]
| manageryears6  = 2018–2020
| managerclubs6  = [[Las Vegas Lights FC|Las Vegas Lights]]
| manageryears7  = 2020
| managerclubs7  = [[New Amsterdam FC|New Amsterdam]]
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{fb|USA}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|soccer]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[1992 King Fahd Cup|1992 Saudi Arabia]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup|1991 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup|1993 Mexico–United States]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup|1996 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup|1998 United States]]|}}
}}
'''Eric Boswell Wynalda''' (born June 9, 1969) is an American [[association football|soccer]] coach, television commentator, and former player. He was formerly an analyst and color commentator for soccer coverage on [[Fox Sports 1]] and [[ESPN]]. Previously, he served as head coach and technical director of [[Las Vegas Lights FC]] in the [[USL Championship]] and he is the host of ''WTF: Wynalda Talks Football'' on [[SiriusXM]] FC.

Wynalda was one of the first Americans to play professionally in Europe before returning to his home country in 1996 to play in [[Major League Soccer]] and scoring the first goal in the league's history. Until 2008, he was the all-time leading goal scorer for the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States national team]]. Wynalda was described as a "shifty, dynamic player off the dribble with a heavy shot."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bennett|first1=Roger|last2=Carlisle|first2=Jeff|title=The Most Influential XI as U.S. Soccer turns 100|url=http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/soccerusa/id/2526?cc=5901|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607154114/http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/soccerusa/id/2526?cc=5901|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 7, 2013|publisher=espnfc.com|access-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref> He was also known for his fiery play,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cart |first=Julie |date=October 30, 1992 |title="Loose Cannon: Eric Wynalda Always Has Been Able to Score Goals, but Not Points for Popularity. He Tries to Do Both Playing in Germany." |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-30-sp-905-story.html |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> and earned the nickname, "Eric the Red Card."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hersch |first=Hank |date=March 8, 1993 |title=Eric Wynalda |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1993/03/08/eric-wynalda |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault}}</ref> He was elected to the [[National Soccer Hall of Fame]] in 2004.

==Youth and college==
Wynalda, of Dutch ancestry, grew up in [[Westlake Village, California]]. As a child his team the Westlake Wolves, with Eric's father Dave as the head coach, won the state championship in [[AYSO]] soccer. That year Wynalda scored more goals than the entire division his team played in combined (58 goals in 16 games). His skills continued to improve year after year and he attended [[Westlake High School (California)|Westlake High School]] and was a three time All State selection with the school's boys soccer team and a youth club teammate of fellow national team player [[Cobi Jones]].

Wynalda attended [[San Diego State University]] from 1987 to 1989 where he played for the [[SDSU Aztecs|Aztecs]] men's soccer team, scoring 34 goals and assisting on 25 others during his three seasons. His freshman year, SDSU went to the [[NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament|NCAA Men's Soccer Championship]] game where it lost to the [[Bruce Murray (soccer)|Bruce Murray]]-led [[Clemson Tigers]]. While at SDSU, he also played two seasons with the local semi-pro [[San Diego Nomads]] of the [[Western Soccer Alliance]]. In 1988, he played a single game and in 1989, he played five games with the Nomads.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/ |title=The A-League Archives |publisher=A-leaguearchive.tripod.com |date=January 20, 2009 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206080843/http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/ |archive-date=February 6, 2012 }}</ref>

==Club career==
Leading up to the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]], Wynalda signed a contract with the [[U.S. Soccer Federation]] (USSF). After the World Cup, Wynalda signed as an on loan player from USSF with the [[San Francisco Bay Blackhawks]] of the [[American Professional Soccer League]]. During his nearly three seasons with the Blackhawks, he played only a handful of games with the team, devoting most of his time to the national team.

In August 1992, USSF loaned Wynalda to [[Bundesliga]] club [[1. FC Saarbrücken]] for $45,000. When he arrived at Saarbrücken, he became the first American-born player to play for a top level German club. He had an immediate impact, scoring eight goals in the first half of the season where he played all 17 matches. This led Saarbrücken to purchase Wynalda's contract from USSF for $405,000. In the second half of the season he added one more goal in 15 matches to that tally. By the end of the season Saarbrücken was last in the league and became relegated. Wynalda scored 14 goals and had 25 assists in the 1993–94 season of the [[2. Bundesliga]]. After the end of the season he was transferred for $850,000 to second division winners [[VfL Bochum]] which as such were promoted to the Bundesliga. There Wynalda remained without goal in his 22 matches of the 1994–95 season<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/wynaldadata.html | title = Eric Boswell Wynalda - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 19 February 2020 | access-date = 21 February 2020 | publisher = [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF.com]]}}</ref> and Bochum was relegated. A hernia operation on August 30 limited his tally in the ensuing 2. Bundesliga season to seven matches mid-season – none of those for the full 90 minutes – where he scored two goals. Bochum, after finishing the league first, was promoted again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fussballdaten.de/|title=Fussballdaten – Die Fußballdatenbank der Bundesliga|website=Fussballdaten|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526120210/http://www.fussballdaten.de/|archive-date=May 26, 2008}}</ref>

Wynalda returned to the States in 1996, signing with [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS).<ref name="1996 MLS Marquee Players">{{cite web|url=https://90soccer.com/the-marquee-players-of-the-1996-mls-season/ |title=The marquee players of the 1996 MLS season |author=Salmon, Ken |date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2024}}</ref> As part of the process of creating the new league, known players were distributed throughout the league's new teams<ref name="1996 MLS Marquee Players"/> (except for the Dallas Burn, which alone amongst all MLS sides never received a United States national team allocation from the 1994 World Cup era).{{citation needed |date=September 2024}} The league [[1996 MLS Inaugural Allocations|allocated]] Wynalda to the [[San Jose Clash]].<ref name="1996 MLS Marquee Players"/> On April 6, 1996, Wynalda scored the first goal in league history in its inaugural game as the Clash beat [[D.C. United]] 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/video/eric-wynalda-scores-the-first-goal-in-mls-history-5570309659001#eric-wynalda-scores-the-first-goal-in-mls-history-5570309659001 |title=Eric Wynalda scores the first goal in MLS history |access-date=September 13, 2024}}</ref> He was named [[U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year]] for 1996.<ref>{{cite web|title=Athlete of the Year Award |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/about/history/awards/athlete-of-the-year.aspx |publisher=US Soccer |access-date=September 13, 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110234628/http://www.ussoccer.com/about/history/awards/athlete-of-the-year.aspx |archive-date=November 10, 2014 }}</ref>

Wynalda was loaned out to [[Club León]] in Mexico in 1999. He tore both the [[anterior cruciate ligament|ACL]] and [[medial meniscus]] on his left knee while with Leon, which put him out of action for several months.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/11/sports/plus-soccer-san-jose-clash-surgery-for-wynalda.html|title=PLUS: SOCCER – SAN JOSE CLASH; Surgery for Wynalda|newspaper=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press|date=March 11, 1999|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911214145/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/11/sports/plus-soccer-san-jose-clash-surgery-for-wynalda.html|archive-date=September 11, 2017}}</ref>

=== New England Revolution ===

After missing the first eleven games of the 1999 season, the Clash traded Wynalda to the [[Miami Fusion]] on June 1, 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/sanjoseearthquakes2012mediaguide |title=San Jose Earthquakes Media Guide 2012 Season |accessdate=September 13, 2024}}</ref> On July 7, 2000, the Fusion turned around and traded Wynalda to the [[New England Revolution]] along with future draft considerations for defender [[Ivan McKinley]].<ref name = "ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135826/https://newengland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/media/ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf |url=https://newengland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/media/ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf |title=ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |access-date=September 12, 2024}}</ref> On August 12, 2000, Wynalda made his first appearance for the Revolution, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for [[Imad Baba]] in the Revolution's loss to the [[MetroStars]].<ref name="2024 Media Guide">{{cite book |title=2024 Media Guide |publisher=New England Revolution|url=https://revolution.1rmg.com/season/2024/media-guide/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322013528/https://revolution.1rmg.com/season/2024/media-guide/ |access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=March 22, 2024 }}</ref> He recorded his first assist for the club a week later in the Revolution's 2-1 home win over the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]]. His first start came on September 3 in the Revolution's 2-0 loss to [[D.C. United]]. On September 19, 2000, in the MLS Cup Playoff Quarterfinals, Wynalda scored his first goal for the Revolution, the opener in their 2-1 victory over the [[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]]. It was the club's first-ever playoff win (the Revolution were subsequently eliminated from the series, losing 2 games to 1 in the best-of-three tie).<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/>

=== Chicago Fire ===

In February 2001, the Revolution re-signed Wynalda, but would deal him to the Chicago Fire on May 3, 2001 for [[John Wolyniec]] and a third-round pick in the [[2002 MLS SuperDraft]].<ref name = "ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf"/> Despite the season being underway when he arrived, Wynalda would end up as the Fire's leading scorer for 2001, recording 10 goals and 5 assists in MLS Play. The Fire waived Wynalda on January 15, 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/chicagofire2011mediaguide/mode/2up?q=Wynalda |title=Chicago Fire SC 2011 Media Guide |access-date=September 13, 2024}}</ref>

=== Later career ===

In 2002, Wynalda attempted to join the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]], announcing that he planned to retire with the team. However, the negotiations with the Galaxy did not work out and he signed for the [[Charleston Battery]] of the [[USL First Division]]. Wynalda joined the team only to tear his anterior cruciate ligament in a pre-season match.<ref>[http://www.charlestonbattery.com/news02/041502.htm Wynalda Out With Probable ACL Tear] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201510/http://www.charlestonbattery.com/news02/041502.htm |date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>  He elected to retire from professional soccer and became a broadcast announcer.

==International career==
Wynalda earned his first [[Cap (sports)|cap]] with the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States national team]] against [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]] on February 2, 1990. On March 14, 1990, he signed a contract with the [[United States Soccer Federation]] which made him a full-time national team player.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE5DF1F31F936A25750C0A966958260 |title=SPORTS PEOPLE - SOCCER - SPORTS PEOPLE - SOCCER - U.S. Federation Signs 2 - NYTimes.com |work=New York Times |date=March 15, 1990 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225024352/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE5DF1F31F936A25750C0A966958260 |archive-date=February 25, 2008 }}</ref>  Later that year, Wynalda played in the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]] in Italy, his first World Cup, earning a red card against [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]], for retaliating against midfielder [[Ľubomír Moravčík]], who had backed into Wynalda during a dead ball play throw in, pushing Moravčík to the ground from behind in front of the referee, linesman, field judge and both teams' benches (erupting the Czech bench), becoming the first U.S. player to be ejected from a World Cup match. The Slovak player's treatment of Wynalda was in retaliation for a wildly thrown elbow on another teammate in the first half. Wynalda was lucky not to have been red carded then, only to be ejected in the 53rd minute leaving his side a man down for the remaining 37 minutes of the second half.

Wynalda was a part of the United States squad that won the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the final the US beat Honduras 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 stalemate after extra time led the game to penalties. Wynalda started every game of the tournament for the United States and scored the third goal for the US in their second group stage match against Guatemala, which the US won 3–0.

In the [[1994 World Cup]], Wynalda scored on a free kick from 28 yards as the United States tied [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]]. He also played in [[Copa America 1995]], where he scored against [[Chile national football team|Chile]] and [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]].

In 1998, Wynalda participated in his third [[Football World Cup 1998|World Cup]], one of only three United States players (the others being [[Tab Ramos]] and [[Marcelo Balboa]]) to have earned that honor at that time. He finished the 1998 World Cup with no goals.

In 2000, Wynalda retired from the United States national team as its all-time leading scorer with 34 goals in 106 appearances.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wynalda-intl.html | title = Eric Wynalda - Century of International Appearances | first = Roberto | last = Mamrud | date = 19 February 2020 | access-date = 21 February 2020 | publisher = [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF.com]]}}</ref> He was the sole owner of the record until 2007, when [[Landon Donovan]] tied the record with a penalty kick goal against [[Mexican national football team|Mexico]] in the [[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final]]. Wynalda lost the record when Donovan scored yet another penalty kick in a friendly match against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] on January 19, 2008.

Wynalda was named the Honda U.S. Player of the Decade for the 1990s, was named to the [[CONCACAF]] All-Decade Team of the 1990s and was elected to the [[National Soccer Hall of Fame]] in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eric Wynalda - 2004 Inductee {{!}} National Soccer Hall of Fame |url=http://www.nationalsoccerhof.com/players/eric-wynalda.html |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Eric Wynalda - 2004 Inductee {{!}} National Soccer Hall of Fame |language=en}}</ref> In 2006, he was named to the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vcshf.com/hall_of_fame_members.htm |title=Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame - List of Hall of Fame Members |access-date=January 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120055452/http://www.vcshf.com/hall_of_fame_members.htm |archive-date=November 20, 2008 }} Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame</ref>

==Coaching career==
In 2005, [[Bakersfield Brigade]] of the [[USL Premier Development League]] hired Wynalda as its technical director,<ref>{{cite web|author=Demosphere International, Inc. |url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/116103.html |title=United Soccer Leagues (USL) |publisher=Uslsoccer.com |date=December 18, 2005 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610131548/http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/116103.html |archive-date=June 10, 2011 }}</ref> and in 2007 he agreed to a short-term playing contract with the team during the last few matches of their season.<ref>{{cite web|author=Demosphere International, Inc. |url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/191708.html |title=United Soccer Leagues (USL) |publisher=Uslsoccer.com |date=July 3, 2007 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610131631/http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/191708.html |archive-date=June 10, 2011 }}</ref> On May 1, 2008, he signed a formal season-long agreement to play the entire campaign with the Brigade as a full member of the 2008 playing squad.<ref>{{cite web|last=Curley |first=Joe |url=http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/may/02/wynalda-joins-bakersfield-brigade/ |title=Wynalda joins Bakersfield Brigade |publisher=Ventura County Star |date=June 14, 2010 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706191206/http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/may/02/wynalda-joins-bakersfield-brigade/ |archive-date=July 6, 2008 }}</ref>

He has also continued to play with an over-30s amateur team in Los Angeles, [[Hollywood United]], alongside former U.S. internationals [[Alexi Lalas]] and [[John Harkes]], former French international [[Frank Leboeuf]], former [[Wales national football team|Welsh]] international player [[Vinnie Jones]], and actor [[Anthony La Paglia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.evenison.com/love-of-the-game/hollywood-united-football-club |title=TheOriginalWinger.com |publisher=Evenison.com |date=March 11, 2010 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218051046/http://www.evenison.com/love-of-the-game/hollywood-united-football-club |archive-date=December 18, 2007 }}</ref>  United plays in the Los Angeles Olympic Soccer League.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eteamz.active.com/olympicsl/index.cfm |title=Olympic Soccer League |publisher=Eteamz.active.com |access-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309093739/http://eteamz.active.com/olympicsl/index.cfm |archive-date=March 9, 2008 }}</ref>

===Cal FC===
Wynalda has been the head coach of [[Cal FC]] since 2012 and his side received attention in the [[2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup]] when they reached the fourth round of the tournament, upsetting [[USL Pro]] side [[Wilmington Hammerheads]] 4–0<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecup.us/2012-us-open-cup-second-round-eric-wynaldas-cal-fc-upends-host-wilmington-hammerheads-in-stunning-4-0-result/|title=2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Eric Wynalda's Cal FC upends host Wilmington Hammerheads in stunning 4–0 result – TheCup.us – Full Coverage of US Open Cup Soccer|website=thecup.us|date=May 23, 2012 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005040204/http://thecup.us/2012-us-open-cup-second-round-eric-wynaldas-cal-fc-upends-host-wilmington-hammerheads-in-stunning-4-0-result/|archive-date=October 5, 2012}}</ref> and [[Major League Soccer]] side [[Portland Timbers]] 1–0 along the way.

Cal FC's victory over the Timbers made them the second-ever USASA side to beat an MLS side (the first being Dallas Roma FC beating Chivas USA in 2006), as well as the first amateur side to beat an MLS one without needing penalty kicks. It stands as the biggest upset in the tournament's history, especially considering the Timbers featured their regular starting lineup.<ref name="foxsoccer">{{cite web | url=http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/soccer/story/Cal-FC-upsets-Timbers-10-in-US-Open-Cup-match-48643897 | title=Cal FC upsets Timbers 1–0 in US Open Cup match | publisher=Associated Press | work=FoxSoccer.com | date=May 31, 2012 | access-date=May 31, 2012 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602214805/http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/soccer/story/Cal-FC-upsets-Timbers-10-in-US-Open-Cup-match-48643897 | archive-date=June 2, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="oregonlive">{{cite web | url=http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2012/05/amateur_squad_shocks_portland.html | title=Amateur squad shocks Portland Timbers in U.S. Open Cup | publisher=The Oregonian | work=OregonLive.com | date=May 30, 2012 | access-date=May 31, 2012 | author=Arnold, Geoffrey | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602145416/http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2012/05/amateur_squad_shocks_portland.html | archive-date=June 2, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="timbers">{{cite web |url=http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2012/05/usoc-recap-timbers-fall-1-0-cal-fc-extra-time |title=USOC RECAP: Timbers fall 1–0 to Cal FC in extra time |publisher=Major League Soccer |work=PortlandTimbers.com |date=May 30, 2012 |access-date=May 31, 2012 |author=Itel, Dan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602033947/http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2012/05/usoc-recap-timbers-fall-1-0-cal-fc-extra-time |archive-date=June 2, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="vcstar">{{cite web | url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/may/30/to-based-cal-fc-upsets-mls-timbers/ | title=T.O.-based Cal F.C. upsets MLS' Timbers | publisher=Ventura County Star | work=VCStar.com | date=May 30, 2012 | access-date=May 31, 2012 | author=Curley, Joe | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603003258/http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/may/30/to-based-cal-fc-upsets-mls-timbers/ | archive-date=June 3, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="reuters">{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/timber-portland-felled-amateurs-cup-upset-064717980--sow.html | title=Timber! Portland felled by amateurs in cup upset | publisher=Reuters | date=May 31, 2012 | access-date=May 31, 2012 | author=Evans, Simon }}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="espnla">{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/16869/open-cup-cal-fc-stuns-timbers | title=OPEN CUP: Cal FC stuns Timbers | publisher=ESPN LA | date=May 31, 2012 | access-date=May 31, 2012 | author=French, Scott | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603015949/http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/16869/open-cup-cal-fc-stuns-timbers | archive-date=June 3, 2012 }}</ref>

===Atlanta Silverbacks===
On July 2, 2012, it was announced that Wynalda would become the interim head coach and team adviser of the new [[North American Soccer League (2011–2017)|North American Soccer League]]'s [[Atlanta Silverbacks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2012/07/02/eric-wynalda-named-coach-of-the-atlanta-silverbacks/|title=Eric Wynalda Named Interim Coach of the Atlanta Silverbacks|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218095522/http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2012/07/02/eric-wynalda-named-coach-of-the-atlanta-silverbacks/|archive-date=December 18, 2014|access-date=January 7, 2014}}</ref>

On January 7, 2014, the Silverbacks announced they would get rid of the head coach position and have Wynalda act as the manager and technical director of the team. This is something rarely done by a professional soccer club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/07/part-time-gaffer-nasls-atlanta-silverbacks-eliminate-head-coaching-post-hand|title=NASL's Atlanta Silverbacks eliminate head coaching post, hand duties to Eric Wynalda|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207163521/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/07/part-time-gaffer-nasls-atlanta-silverbacks-eliminate-head-coaching-post-hand|archive-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref>

===Las Vegas Lights FC===
On October 17, 2018, [[Las Vegas Lights FC]] of the USL announced that Wynalda would be their new Head Coach and Technical Director.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kantowski |first=Ron |date=October 17, 2018 |title=Former US soccer great Eric Wynalda named Lights FC Head Coach |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/lights-fc-soccer/former-us-soccer-great-eric-wynalda-named-lights-fc-head-coach/ |work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |access-date=October 17, 2018}}</ref>

===New Amsterdam FC===
On July 30, 2020, [[New Amsterdam FC]] of the [[National Independent Soccer Association]] announced Wynalda has the team's first head coach.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mendola |first1=Nicholas |title=NISA New York-based side New Amsterdam FC hires Eric Wynalda |url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2020/07/30/nisa-new-york-based-side-new-amsterdam-fc-hires-eric-wynalda/ |website=ProSoccerTalk - NBC Sports |access-date=14 March 2021 |date=30 July 2020}}</ref> On August 17, following two preseason tournament matches and five days prior to the start of the fall season, Wynalda announced his departure for personal reasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Club Announcement: Eric Wynalda departs NAFCNY for personal reasons. |url=https://twitter.com/NAFCNY/status/1295401254047354880 |website=Twitter |publisher=New Amsterdam FC |access-date=14 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Broadcast career==
After retiring, Wynalda began working as a soccer analyst for [[ESPN]]. Along with [[Alexi Lalas]], he was the channel's in-studio analyst for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]] on English-language broadcasts. Wynalda was one of the most vocal critics of U.S. head coach [[Bruce Arena]] during the tournament. However, after the World Cup, he was amicably paired in-studio with Arena as co-analysts for some 2006 MLS Cup playoff games, a successful arrangement which continued with ESPN's coverage of the US National Team in 2007. Wynalda was one of the main analysts for ESPN and [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] during the 2007 Major League Soccer season.

In 2008, he became columnist for ''Major League Soccer Magazine'', an independent soccer magazine licensed with MLS and based in Los Angeles.

In August 2009, Fox Soccer Channel announced that Eric Wynalda would replace Steven Cohen as the co-host of the weekly discussion show, [[Fox Football Fone-in]] and partner up with [[Nick Webster]] who coached alongside Eric with Cal FC during their historic run in the U.S. Open Cup. In addition, Wynalda began working as a commentator for some of the channel's MLS broadcasts, and as an in-studio analyst during pre-game, half-time, and post-game segments for the [[UEFA Champions League]].

In June & July 2010, Wynalda covered the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] for Yahoo! Sports as a video blog analyst.

He is currently an analyst for Fox Sports 1, covering Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup.

In October 2015, Wynalda joined SiriusXM FC 85 as the host of the new program ''WTF: Wynalda Talks Football''. Joined by the 'Stat Man' David Mosse, Eric covers the world of soccer, pop culture, and everything in between. The show airs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7pm-9pm Eastern on SiriusXM FC 85.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.siriusxm.com/fc|title=SiriusXM FC – Your SiriusXM Home for Soccer – SiriusXM Radio|work=SiriusXM|access-date=April 24, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Wynalda married Amanda Fletcher in 2014. They live in Thousand Oaks, CA with their three children and his three children from a previous marriage.

Wynalda's house in the Westlake Village neighborhood was destroyed in the [[2018 California wildfires#Wildfires|November 2018 Woolsey Fire]]. Wynalda and his family had evacuated to relatives in [[Corona, California]], where he watched footage of the fire on television. Of the 162 houses in Wynalda's Westlake Village tract, his home was the only one that burned.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zeigler |first1=Mark |title=Ex-soccer star Eric Wynalda loses home to massive Ventura fire |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/aztecs/sd-sp-eric-wynalda-house-fire-westlake-village-20181109-story.html |access-date=November 9, 2018 |publisher=San Diego Tribune |date=November 9, 2018}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
:''Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Wynalda goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Eric Wynalda
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || February 4, 1990 || [[Miami]], Florida, United States || {{fb|COL}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–1 || [[Marlboro Cup (soccer)|1990 Marlboro Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || rowspan="2"|April 8, 1990 || rowspan="2"|[[St. Louis]], Missouri, United States || rowspan="2"|{{fb|ISL}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|4–1 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|3 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|4 || May 5, 1990 || [[Piscataway, New Jersey]], United States || {{fb|MLT}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|5 || May 30, 1990 || [[Eschen]], Liechtenstein || {{fb|LIE}} || align="center"|3–1 || align="center"|4–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|6 || June 1, 1991 || [[Foxboro, Massachusetts]], United States || {{fb|IRL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|7 || July 1, 1991 || [[Pasadena, California]], United States || {{fb|GUA}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|8 || February 2, 1992 || [[Pontiac, Michigan]], United States || {{fb|CIS|1992}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|9 || rowspan="2"|April 4, 1992 || rowspan="2"|[[Stanford, California]], United States || rowspan="2"|{{fb|CHN}} || align="center"|2–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5–0 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|10 || align="center"|5–0
|-
| align="center"|11 || April 29, 1992 || [[Dublin]], Ireland || {{fb|IRL}} || align="center"|1–4 || align="center"|1–4 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|12 || October 19, 1992 || [[Riyadh]], Saudi Arabia || {{fb|CIV}} || align="center"|3–1 || align="center"|5–2 || [[1992 King Fahd Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|13 || July 10, 1993 || [[Dallas]], Texas, United States || {{fb|JAM}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || [[1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|14 || July 14, 1993 || Dallas, Texas, United States || {{fb|PAN}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|2–1 || 1993 CONCACAF Gold
|-
| align="center"|15 || June 18, 1994 || Pontiac, Michigan, United States || {{fb|SWI}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–1 || [[1994 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|16 || rowspan="2"|July 8, 1995 || rowspan="2"|[[Paysandú]], Uruguay|| rowspan="2"|{{fb|CHI}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–1 || rowspan="2"|[[1995 Copa America]]
|-
| align="center"|17 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|18 || July 14, 1995 || Paysandú, Uruguay || {{fb|ARG}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–0 || 1995 Copa America
|-
| align="center"|19 || rowspan="2"|January 12, 1996 || rowspan="2"|[[Anaheim, California]], United States || rowspan="2"|{{fb|TRI}} || align="center"|1–1 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–2 || rowspan="2"|[[1996 Gold Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|20 || align="center"|2–1
|-
| align="center"|21 || January 15, 1996 || Anaheim, California, United States || {{fb|SLV}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|22 || January 20, 1996 || [[Los Angeles, California]], United States || {{fb|GUA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup
|-
| align="center"|23 || May 26, 1996 || [[New Britain, Connecticut]], United States || {{fb|SCO}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|2–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|24 || June 16, 1996 || Pasadena, California, United States || {{fb|MEX}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–2 || [[1996 U.S. Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|25 || August 30, 1996 || Los Angeles, California, United States || {{fb|SLV}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|3–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|26 || November 3, 1996 || [[Washington, D.C.]], United States || {{fb|GUA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)#Third round|1998 World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|27 || November 10, 1996 || [[Richmond, Virginia]], United States || {{fb|TRI}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 1998 World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|28 || January 29, 1997 || [[Kunming]], China || {{fb|CHN}} || align="center"|1–2 || align="center"|1–2 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|29 || March 16, 1997 || [[Stanford, California]], United States || {{fb|CAN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || 1998 World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|30 || March 23, 1997 || [[San José, Costa Rica|San José]], Costa Rica || {{fb|CRC}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|2–3 || 1998 World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|31 || October 3, 1997 || Washington, D.C., United States || {{fb|JAM}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || 1998 World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|32 || February 1, 1998 || [[Oakland, California]], United States || {{fb|CUB}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|33 || November 17, 1999 || [[Marrakesh]], Morocco || {{fb|MAR}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–2 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|34 || February 12, 2000 || Miami, Florida || {{fb|HAI}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|}

== Honors ==
'''United States'''
* [[CONCACAF Gold Cup]]: [[1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup|1991]]

'''Individual'''
* [[MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]]: [[1996 MLS All-Star Game|1996]]<ref>[http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/news/article/2011/07/12/all-star-game-flashback-1996-east-wins-inaugural-event All-Star Game flashback, 1996] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228152403/http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/news/article/2011/07/12/all-star-game-flashback-1996-east-wins-inaugural-event |date=December 28, 2014 }} at MLSsoccer.com
</ref>
* [[MLS Goal of the Year Award]]: [[1996 Major League Soccer season|1996]]

==See also==
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{FIFA player|44766}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928043944/http://fulhamusa.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=498&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 Beers With Wynalda – Eric Wynalda's Candid Interview on FulhamUSA.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090616075444/http://national.soccerhall.org/famers/Eric_Wynalda.htm Eric Wynalda on the National Soccer Hall of Fame]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170312040428/http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/roster/men/wynalda.htm Eric Wynalda's profile on Soccertimes.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061118132207/http://www.nhsoccer.com/rev/roster/wynalda.htm New England Revolution bio]
* [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60617F83E5F0C738DDDA80994DE494D81 NY Times article on Wynalda]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927173922/http://www.sams-army.com/index.php?Mlist=player&Pid=19 Sams-Army profile, includes an extensive career timeline]
* [https://twitter.com/NAFCNY/status/1295401254047354880]

{{Navboxes
|title= United States squads
|bg= white
|fg= #002868
|bordercolor= #BF0A30
|list1=
{{United States squad 1990 FIFA World Cup}}
{{United States squad 1991 North American Nations Cup}}
{{United States squad 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{United States squad 1992 King Fahd Cup}}
{{United States squad 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{United States squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}
{{United States squad 1995 Copa América}}
{{United States squad 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{United States squad 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{United States squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{United States squad 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|title= Awards
|list1=
{{MLS Goal of the Year}}
{{US Soccer Athlete}}
{{Honda Player of the Year}}
{{CONCACAF Gold Cup awards}}
{{National Soccer Hall of Fame members}}
}}
{{Atlanta Silverbacks coaches}}
{{Las Vegas Lights FC managers}}
{{MLS on ESPN}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wynalda, Eric}}
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