Lamar Neagle

Lamar Neagle (born May 7, 1987) is an American formerly professional soccer player and current player-owner for Ballard FC in the amateur USL League Two. He has spent most of his career with the Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer over the course of several stints; Neagle has also played for Montreal Impact and D.C. United in Major League Soccer, as well as Mariehamn in Finland.

Career

Youth and college Neagle attended Thomas Jefferson High School, where he was a three-year starter and helped them to a 16-2-4 record and the State 4A championship as a senior. He also broke a 31-year-old school record by scoring six goals in one game as well as being the Seattle Post-Intelligencers pick for High School All-Star Team during his senior year. As a youth, Neagle also played for the Norpoint Soccer Club's Chivas soccer team located in Northeast Tacoma. While playing on the Norpoint Chivas Team, Lamar was coached by Wade Webber.

Upon graduating high school, Neagle attended and played college soccer for the University of Nevada Las Vegas. At UNLV he played on the three-time first team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation selection, and played every game but one in his four-year career. He also led the team in goals scored his last two seasons with a total of 9 each year. During his senior year, Neagle was named second team All-Far-West Region 2008. Neagle was the fourth player from Washington state to sign with the Sounders after Chris Eylander, Kevin Forrest, and Kasey Keller.

Neagle first appeared on the Seattle roster during the highly anticipated Portland Timbers game. Neagle was also on the team roster for the Houston Dynamo and Kansas City Wizards games but sat on the bench. Neagle played in the Kitsap Pumas game which yielded a 6–0 victory. Neagle made his unofficial debut with a friendly against Chelsea on July 18, 2009. When asked about playing against English Premier League team, Neagle responded "It's kind of surreal. I grew up watching these guys play for Chelsea. You never think you're going to get a chance to play against them. It was a great experience. Pretty intimidating, but it was fun."

Neagle was waived by Seattle on November 25, 2009, having never played a competitive first team game for the team. He subsequently signed for Charleston Battery (who employ him as a forward) in the USL Second Division, and made his competitive professional debut on April 17, 2010, in a game against the Charlotte Eagles.

In September 2010, following the conclusion of the 2010 USL2 season, Neagle transferred to IFK Mariehamn of the Finnish Veikkausliiga. After a successful preseason trial, Neagle was again signed by Seattle on March 2, 2011.

In 2011, Neagle worked his way onto the pitch as a frequent sub and occasional starter for MLS matches, also playing important roles in the US Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League. On August 27, 2011, Neagle netted the first home MLS hat-trick for the Sounders in a 6–2 victory over the Columbus Crew, at the time the leaders in the Eastern Conference.

Montreal Impact Neagle was traded to Montreal Impact on February 18, 2012, along with teammate Mike Fucito, in exchange for Eddie Johnson.

After scoring his first goal for Montreal against his former club, Sounders FC, during the club's first match at the renovated Stade Saputo. Neagle notched his second of the MLS campaign against the San Jose Earthquakes on August 18, 2012, a shot that went on to win AT&T Goal of the Week honors.

First return to the Sounders On January 27, 2013, the Sounders traded an international roster spot to the Montreal Impact in order to re-acquire Neagle for his third stint with the team.

D.C. United Neagle was traded to D.C. United on December 7, 2015, in exchange for allocation money. On March 7, Neagle made his debut and scored his first goal with United in a 1–4 away loss to LA Galaxy in the 2016 Major League Soccer season opener. He played in total of 56 games, scored 11 goals, and recorded 6 assists.

Second return to the Sounders On August 7, 2017, D.C. United traded Neagle to the Sounders for a fourth round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.

On November 19, 2018, Seattle declined their contract option on Neagle.

Indoor career On March 8, 2019, Neagle signed with the Tacoma Stars of the indoor Major Arena Soccer League. He was previously on trial with Phoenix Rising of the USL Championship. Neagle joined the Federal Way Coaching staff for the 2019–20 season. He re-signed with the Tacoma Stars in October 2019 for their 2019–2020 season.

Neagle rejoined the Stars on December 10, 2021, playing with the team one game in the season.

Club ownership In December 2021, Neagle was announced as a co-founder and co-owner of Ballard FC, a club based in Seattle in the pre-professional fourth division USL League Two starting in the 2022 season. Under Neagle's ownership, the team won its first championship in 2023. In 2025, Neagle played two games as team captain for Ballard's qualification attempt for the 2026 US Open Cup, scoring a brace in a third round 5–1 victory against Sharktopus FC.

Personal life Lamar is the son of John Brown and Bridget Neagle and Frankie and Maria Lawson. He has five siblings named Shedrick, Jamaal, Tanisha, Daisia, and Jasmine. He was married to Natalie Hanley at the Hollywood Schoolhouse in Woodinville on February 15, 2014.

Career statistics

Honors

ClubCharleston Battery USL Second Division Champions (1): 2010 USL Second Division Regular Season Champions (1): 2010Seattle Sounders FC' Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: 2011, 2014 MLS Supporters' Shield: 2014

Individual USL Second Division Most Valuable Player (1): 2010