Matt Stinson

Matthew Garrett "Matt" Stinson (born September 9, 1992) is a Canadian former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder. He is an assistant coach for his alma mater, the York Lions.

Club career

Youth Born in Toronto, Ontario, Stinson began his youth career in the age of five with the Armour Heights Soccer AssociationClub, before joined two years in the age of nine to North York Hearts SC. He played until December 2006 with the Hearts Soccer Club, before played for Clarkson Comets SC in Mississauga, Ontario. In 2008, aged 16, he joined TFC Academy for the youth sides inaugural season in the Canadian Soccer League. Stinson quickly progressed in the academy and eventually was named captain of the academy team. In 2010, he left the academy to attend Winthrop University in South Carolina. While at Winthrop, Stinson was named the Team MVP and earned All-Big South Conference Second Team honours.

Professional In late January 2011 it was announced that Stinson would travel with Toronto's Senior team to Turkey for preseason training camp, Stinson was one of four academy players invited to travel. On February 16, 2011, Stinson scored the game's only goal to lift Toronto FC to a 1–0 victory over Red Star Belgrade during the club's preseason. After impressing during the preseason training camp he signed with Toronto FC on March 17, 2011. Stinson made his professional debut on June 25, 2011, as a second half sub for Javier Martina in a 3–1 away loss to Real Salt Lake.

Stinson was released by Toronto FC on March 19, 2013 and trained with Armour Heights S.C., before returned for his studies to the York University. He played his first match in his comeback for the York Lions on September 30, 2013, against the Brock University men soccer Team Badgers. Stinson was a student of York University from September 2011. Three days later Stinson was removed from the line-up due to injury, Nana Attakora was brought in to replace him in the 18-man squad. Stinson made his senior team debut January 29, 2013 in an international friendly against United States. He came on as a second half sub for Terry Dunfield, as the game ended in a 0–0 draw.

Career statistics

Honours Toronto FC Canadian Championship: 2011, 2012