Chris Konopka

Christopher Konopka (born April 14, 1985) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a goalkeeper.

Konopka is the first American-born soccer player to ever win the Irish Double and also the first to win back-to-back FAI Cup medals.

Early life Konopka came through the youth system of the Jersey Shore Boca soccer club in South Jersey.

College career He played NCAA Division I collegiate soccer in the Big East Conference at Providence College from 2003 to 2006. Konopka earned himself trials in England after his senior season with Charlton Athletic, Cardiff City, and Walsall FC. However, he was unable to sign in the United Kingdom as his attempted acquisition of a Polish passport through ancestry had not yet been completed.

Club career Early career In the summer of 2003 he played for Jersey Falcons in the Premier Development League team. In the summer of 2004 he made 8 appearances for the Jersey Falcons in the same league.

Konopka was drafted in the third round, 29th overall, by the Kansas City Wizards in 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. He became the first player in the history of Providence College to be drafted by an MLS team. Konopka was released by the Wizards at the end of the 2007 season without making an appearance.

Ireland In March 2008 Konopka signed a one-year contract with Bohemian FC following a successful trial. He made his debut on July 1, 2008, against Derry City in the League Cup. As a member of Bohs, Konopka won the League of Ireland championship and the FAI Cup in 2008. He also impressed with the Bohemians' A-Side in the inaugural A Championship, leading Bohemians to the Grand Final.

On July 28, 2009, Konopka signed a short-term contract with then League of Ireland First Division side Sporting Fingal. He made his debut on October 2, 2009, in a 2–2 draw against Monaghan United. Konopka went on to make 3 more appearances for Fingal including a 4–2 win over Bray Wanderers in the 2009 FAI Cup semi-final on October 25. Konopka helped the club win the 2009 FAI Cup and promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division for 2010.

Konopka signed with Waterford United on December 18, 2009, for the 2010 season. He made his debut on March 5, 2010, in a 3–0 victory over Wexford Youths. Konopka received "man of the match" honors from extratime.ie for his performance in a 1–0 victory over Shelbourne on May 7, 2010. It was Waterford's first win over Shelbourne at Tolka Park in 11 years.

Major League Soccer Konopka was signed by the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer from the MLS Goalkeeper Pool on July 26, 2011. Despite featuring in an international friendly that evening against Newcastle United and being re-called for 4 future matches he would not make a professional appearance for the club.

Konopka was signed by New York Red Bulls from the MLS Goalkeeper Pool on August 13, 2011. He made his league debut that evening in a 2–2 draw against the Chicago Fire. His emergency loan ended after the match and he returned to the MLS Goalkeeper Pool for the end of the 2011 MLS Season.

On March 2, 2012, Konopka signed with the Philadelphia Union. He made his debut on May 26, 2012, in a 1–0 loss against Toronto FC. Three days later he featured in Philadelphia's first US Open Cup victory against the Rochester Rhinos.

On September 13, 2013, the Philadelphia Union traded Konopka to Toronto FC . Konopka made his debut on May 2, 2015, in a 1–0 victory against his former club the Philadelphia Union. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week on May 18, 2015, for his seven save effort in a 1–1 draw against the New England Revolution. Konopka finished 2015 with a break-out season for TFC setting the all-time single season Toronto goalkeeper league win record with 11 and his 59.5 win percentage is the best ever in Toronto goalkeeping history. Konopka played for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer from 2013 to 2015 bringing the team to their first ever playoff appearance in club history in 2015. During 2015 he set TFC records for most regular single-season game wins (11) and highest regular single-season win percentage (59.5%) by any Toronto FC goalkeeper in the club's tenure. At the end of the 2015 MLS Season, Konopka finished 5th in voting for the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award and was nominated for MLS Comeback Player of the Year.

Scotland On March 8, 2016, Konopka joined Ross County in the Scottish Premiership until the end of the 2015–16 season. On March 13, 2016, Konopka was a substitute for Ross County who won the 2015–16 Scottish League Cup 2–1 against Hibernian.

Return to North America Konopka returned to Major League Soccer and signed for the Timbers on July 28, 2016.

On February 15, 2017, Konopka signed with North American Soccer League side FC Edmonton.

England On March 8, 2018, Konopka signed a short-term deal with EFL Championship side Cardiff City until the end of the 2017–18 season as cover for Neil Etheridge and Brian Murphy.

Third stint in North America Konopka joined Minnesota United on a short-term deal as emergency goalkeeper cover. He appeared as an unused substitute in Minnesota's match against Columbus Crew on October 28, 2018.

Konopka was signed by the USL Championship's Tampa Bay Rowdies on February 27, 2019.

International career In December 2007, Konopka was named to the United States U-23 National Team player pool by head coach Piotr Nowak.

Post-playing career In June 2023, Konopka played in the inaugural The Soccer Tournament for Conrad & Beasley United, where they advanced to the quarter-finals.

Personal life Konopka grew up in Toms River, New Jersey and played both basketball and soccer at Toms River High School East. He holds both American and Polish citizenship. He is married to Maria Papadakis.

Career statistics

Honors

Player honors

Bohemians League of Ireland Champions: 2008 FAI Cup Winners: 2008

Sporting Fingal FAI Cup Winners: 2009 League of Ireland Promotion Champions: 2009

Waterford United Munster Senior Cup Winners: 2010

Ross County Scottish League Cup: 2015–16

Cardiff City FC English Premier League Promotion Winners: 2018

Coaching honors

Orlando City U17 National Championship: 2021 Generation Adidas Cup U18 Championship: 2025

United States U15 Concacaf U15 Champions: 2023 UEFA U15 Development Tournament Champions (Portugal): 2023 Vlatko Marković International Tournament Champions (Croatia): 2024

UCF Knights AAC League Champions: 2022 AAC Tournament Champions: 2022

Penn Quakers Ivy League Champions: 2013