Zach Carroll

PLAYER PROFILE:  ZACH CARROLL

By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)

Position: Defender
Primary Role:  Center Back
Height: 6’3””
Weight: 185
DOB: 3-16-1994
Nationality: United States
Preferred Footed: Right
Club: New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Twitter: @ZachCarroll02

US national team U-17 player, played in 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Drafted 38th overall by the New York Red Bulls in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Signed to an MLS contract on March 3, 2016.

2009-2010: Vardar U16 (USSDA) – 20 games, 20 starts, 2 goals, 3 yellows
2010-2011: Vardar U16 (USSDA) –  4 games,  4 starts, 2 yellows
2011-2012: Vardar U18 (USSDA) – 14 games, 14 starts, 1 goal, 4 yellows
2012: Virginia (NCAA – D1) – 16 games, 16 starts, 4 goals, 2 assists, 10 shots on target, 1 yellow
2013: Virginia (NCAA – D1) –  8 games, 6 starts, 1 assist, 1 yellow
2014: Michigan Bucks (PDL) – 10 games, 794 minutes, 1 goal, 3 total shots
2014: Michigan State (NCAA – D1) – 23 games, 23 starts, 5 goals, 2 assists, 11 shots on target, 3 yellows
2015: Michigan State (NCAA – D1) – 17 games, 16 starts, 2 goals, 2 assists, 3 shots on target, 4 yellows

Zach Carroll was born in Grand Blanc, Michigan, transferring to to Michigan State after two seasons with University of Virginia. He had a great expectation when signing with Virginia after a high school career that saw him win 2011 Michigan Player of the Year, NSCAA Boys High School Player of the Year and represent the United States at U-17 level including playing in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

When signing with Michigan State, head coach Damon Rensing said “We are really excited to add Zach to the team this year, He is a proven player and winner with both the U-17 national team and at the collegiate level. His experienced combined with his ability, will have an immediate impact on our 2014 team. It is my belief that Zach will not only impact the MSU team, but the center back position in the Big Ten Conference as well.”

In 2014, Carroll played and started 23 games with Michigan State, scoring five goals and added two assists. He was named to the Second Team NSCAA All-Region and helped the Spartans to the 3^rd round of the 2014 NCAA Division 1 Championship Tournament. While with Virginia he played 24 games, scoring four goals and adding three assists but missed some of the 2013 season with a hamstring injury.

Carroll’s draft status has fallen since graduating high school, where if he had played with a USSDA MLS academy oppose to Vardar he might have been offered a homegrown contract in 2011. Despite missing out on Virginia national championship in 2014, the move to Michigan State looks like a good one for Carroll as a team leader on a top school in the nation. At 6’3 and experience of being a tough player, including US international experience, so despite Michigan not making the 2015 NCAA National Tournament Carroll still looks to be one of the top Center Backs in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.

Carroll was drafted 38th overall by the New York Red Bulls and was signed to a professional Homegrown contract on March 3, 2016.

+ Played three seasons of USSDA soccer with Vardar
+ Played with US U-17 National Team including the U-17 World Cup
+ Played two seasons with Virginia in NCAA Division 1
+ Played two seasons with Michigan State in NCAA Division 1
+ Signed to an MLS contract with New York Red Bulls on March 3, 2016