Geoff Cameron

Geoffrey Scott Cameron (born July 11, 1985) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a centre-back.

Cameron began playing college soccer with the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Rhode Island Rams, as well as USL Premier Development League side Rhode Island Stingrays, before being drafted by Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo in 2008. After an impressive second season in professional soccer Cameron was named as MLS Best XI in 2009 and helped Houston reach the final of the MLS Cup in 2011 as they lost 1–0 to the LA Galaxy. In July 2012 he joined English Premier League side Stoke City. Cameron spent six seasons with the Potters making 186 appearances before joining Queens Park Rangers in June 2018. Cameron spent three years with QPR before returning to America and joining FC Cincinnati in May 2021.

A full international from 2010 to 2017, Cameron played 55 international games for the United States. He was selected for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Copa América, helping the team to fourth place at the latter.

Club career

Early career Cameron was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts and played youth soccer for Bayside United. He attended Attleboro High School and Providence Country Day School before choosing West Virginia University for college. After making 28 starts in two seasons at West Virginia Mountaineers, Cameron transferred to the University of Rhode Island for his junior and senior years. He made his professional debut on March 29, 2008, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat against the New England Revolution. Cameron played a key role for Houston in the CONCACAF Champions League and North American SuperLiga in 2008 and ended his debut season with 32 appearances, as the Dynamo reached the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs but lost to New York Red Bulls in the semi-final. During the season Cameron also played for the reserves, helping them to win the MLS Reserve League. which was granted on August 8. He played in his first match for Stoke in a 1–1 draw with German side SpVgg Greuther Fürth in a pre-season friendly. He missed the opening match of the season away at Reading due to visa issues. He made his Premier League debut in a 0–0 draw against Arsenal on August 26, 2012. He has impressed since his arrival in England and has begun to play at right back, a position which Cameron is enjoying learning about. He also described playing in the Premier League as "pretty special". Cameron played 38 times for Stoke in 2012–13 as they finished in 13th position in the Premier League.

At the end of the season Tony Pulis left by mutual agreement and was replaced by Mark Hughes. Cameron stated that he wanted to try and impress Hughes at center-back. Cameron remained at right-back and scored his first goal for Stoke on September 22, 2013, in a 3–1 defeat against Arsenal. Cameron continued to be a key player in his attacking full-back role under Hughes and provided an assist for Peter Crouch in a 2–1 win over Aston Villa on December 21, 2013. Cameron scored a rare goal on March 23, 2014, in a 4–1 win at Aston Villa. Cameron played 41 times for Stoke in 2013–14 as they finished in 9th position in the Premier League. After recovering from his injury Cameron told manager Mark Hughes that he wants to begin playing in midfield. Despite this Cameron continued to compete with Phil Bardsley for the right back position as the season progressed. He was sent-off for the first time in English soccer after conceding a penalty in a 4–1 FA Cup defeat away at Blackburn Rovers in February 2015. Cameron signed a new three-year contract with Stoke on May 24, 2015. Cameron played 31 times for Stoke in 2014–15 as the Potters finished in 9th position for a second season running and they ended the campaign with a 6–1 victory against Liverpool. Cameron played 34 times in 2015–16 as Stoke again finished in ninth position. However, in that Hull match Cameron suffered a knee ligament injury which ruled him out until February 2017. Cameron made 21 appearances in 2016–17, as Stoke finished in 13th position. He signed a two-year contract extension in May 2017. Cameron again made 21 appearances in 2017–18 as Stoke suffered relegation to the EFL Championship. Cameron played 19 times for Rangers scoring once in a 1–1 draw against Derby County on October 6, 2018.

Cameron was named captain of QPR ahead of the 2020–21 season. On May 5, 2021, he announced he would depart the club and return to the United States after making 90 appearances and scoring twice for QPR.

FC Cincinnati On May 13, 2021, Cameron returned to Major League Soccer and signed with FC Cincinnati on contract through the 2022 season with an additional option year. He made his debut for the club on May 16 against Inter Miami CF, starting in the 3–2 defeat. Cameron was released by Cincinnati following their 2022 season. He announced his retirement from soccer in May 2023.

International career

Cameron received his first call up to train with the senior United States national team in January 2009, but he was injured during the first week and was unable to play in the team's friendly against Sweden. He participated again in training with the team in Carson, California in January 2010, leading up to a friendly match against Honduras. Cameron did not play in that match, but he was again called into camp for the February 24, 2010, game against El Salvador in Tampa, Florida. He appeared as a substitute in the 86th minute for Robbie Rogers, recording his first cap for the national side, nearly scoring on a blazing strike that narrowly went over the bar. In December 2011, Cameron was called up to coach Jürgen Klinsmann's camp. On January 21, 2012, he went 90 minutes in a friendly against Venezuela. Cameron scored his goal for the national team on May 29 in a 4–2 defeat against Belgium.

Cameron was a part of the national team during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was the first player from Massachusetts to play at the tournament since Mike Burns in 1998. In the Round of 16 defeat against Belgium, Cameron started in central midfield in place of Kyle Beckerman. NBC Sports interpreted that Klinsmann made the change as Cameron was better suited to take on Marouane Fellaini, a tall Belgian midfielder with a noted heading ability.

Cameron was not chosen for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, with reports saying that Stoke wanted him for preseason. On October 10 that year, he scored in a 3–2 loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup, a one-off event to decide the confederation's entrant to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Cameron started in every game at the Copa América Centenario in central defense alongside Hertha BSC's John Brooks, as the team finished in fourth place in 2016.

Style of play Cameron (center) at the announcement of the 20 for 20 campaign in 2011. A versatile player who had been chiefly featured at centre-back but could also play as a right-back or defensive midfielder, Cameron was known for his aerial ability, strength, athleticism and composure on the ball.

Personal life Cameron's father Scott was a professional hockey player,

During his time at Houston Dynamo, Cameron took part in a series of community service efforts to raise money for local charitable organizations in 2011 and 2012. The 20 for 20 campaign was started in September 2011 when Cameron, who wore the No. 20 jersey in Houston, announced a goal to raise a total of $20,000 for the Fisher House and Ronald McDonald House of Houston. In March 2012, Cameron and the Dynamo announced the return of the 20 for 20 campaign with the same initial goal of $20,000, with proceeds going to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Growing up Cameron supported English side Manchester United and Italian side Juventus. While living in England Cameron participated in local community work.

Cameron endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016 United States presidential election and claimed he had political arguments with USMNT teammates, who he said were mostly liberal. He was one of the few sportspeople who expressed support for Trump's Executive Order 13769, which put a 90-day immigration freeze on several nations and suspended activity on the United States Refugee Admissions Program.

Career statistics

Club

International

+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competitionNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition 1. May 29, 2013 FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio Friendly 2. October 10, 2015 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 2015 CONCACAF Cup 3. November 13, 2015 Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification 4. March 29, 2016 Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Honors Houston Dynamo MLS Cup runner-up: 2011 Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Champion: 2011

Individual Atlantic 10 Conference Midfielder of the Year: 2007 Dynamo Newcomer of the Year: 2008 MLS Best XI: 2009 Dynamo Defender of the Year: 2009 Major League Soccer All-Star Game: 2009, 2011