Sporting Kansas City announced on Thursday that the club has acquired midfielder Brad Davis from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a natural second-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, a natural third-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft and future considerations.
Per club and MLS policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed. Davis has been added to Sporting Kansas City’s senior roster ahead of the 2016 season.
“Brad’s competitiveness, experience and leadership have always stood out and we look forward to him bringing these traits to Kansas City,” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. “This is another move that not only bolsters our roster, but will also bring a different dynamic once preseason starts in a couple of weeks.”
Davis has recorded 58 goals and 131 assists (including postseason) during a 14-year MLS career highlighted by 2006 and 2007 MLS Cup championships, 2011 MLS Best XI honors and six MLS All-Star selections. His 368 appearances and 122 assists in the regular season are both third most in MLS history.
"I am very excited to come home to the Midwest and play for Sporting Kansas City," Davis said. "I am thankful for the 10 years that I played in Houston and appreciate all that the Dynamo and their fans did for me and my family. Sporting KC has unbelievable fans and has consistently proven to be among the best teams in Major League Soccer. I look forward to joining my new teammates and helping the club's pursuit of championships."
A native of St. Charles, Missouri, Davis ends his 10-year stay in Houston as the Dynamo’s all-time leader in regular season games played (271), starts (252) and assists (104). In addition to winning two MLS Cups, Davis led Houston to seven playoff trips between 2006-2015, including four MLS Cup appearances in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2012. He also featured in four editions of the CONCACAF Champions League (2008-10, 2012-14) and the 2010 North American SuperLiga.
Davis, 34, leads active MLS players with 122 regular season assists, 45 more than any other player. The left-footed midfielder has reached double figures in assists in six of the last seven seasons since 2009 and seven times overall, a feat matched only by Landon Donovan.
Davis was an integral member of a Houston Dynamo side that won consecutive MLS Cup titles in 2006 and 2007. He played in every match of both postseason runs, notching two assists in the 2006 Western Conference championship against Colorado and a game-winning assist in the 2007 final against New England.
An MLS All-Star every season from 2009-2013, Davis landed MLS Best XI honors in 2011 after recording a career-best 16 assists. He posted at least four goals and 12 assists every season from 2009-2012, a stretch that saw Houston make two more MLS Cup appearances.
After scoring a career-high eight goals with 12 assists in 2012, Davis has scored four goals in each of the last three seasons to go with nine, 11 and 10 assists, respectively. During Major League Soccer’s Opta era (2011-present, including playoffs), Davis ranks first in assists (64), second in total chances created (415), first in chances created from set pieces (215), first in corner kicks (678), and second in successful crosses from open play (110).
Selected third overall in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft after playing two seasons at Saint Louis University, Davis spent his rookie campaign with the MetroStars and joined the Dallas Burn in 2003. He led Dallas in scoring with six goals and five assists in 2003 and spent another season with the club before joining the San Jose Earthquakes in 2005. He earned MLS All-Star accolades during his only season in San Jose as the Earthquakes franchise relocated to Houston in 2006.
Davis has earned 17 caps with four assists for the United States Men’s National Team since debuting in 2005. He converted the game-winning penalty kick in the 2005 Gold Cup Final against Panama and made friendly appearances in 2008 and 2010 before cementing a spot in Jurgen Klinsmann’s team during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying. He made his World Cup debut with a start against eventual champion Germany on June 26, 2014. Davis also represented the U.S. at the U-18, U-20 and U-23 levels and played three matches at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Davis attended Chaminade College Preparatory School outside of St. Louis and finished his high school career as the 1999 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year. His older brother, Jeff Davis, currently resides in Kansas City and starred as a professional indoor soccer player for the Kansas City Attack/Comets (1996-2004) and Missouri Comets (2010-2011).
VITALS
Brad Davis
Position: Midfielder
Number: TBD
Born: 11/8/1981
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
Hometown: St. Charles, Missouri
Birthplace: St. Charles, Missouri
Citizenship: USA
Acquired: Trade with Houston Dynamo on Jan. 7, 2016
Previous Club: Houston Dynamo (2006-15)
Twitter: @Brad_Davis11
Instagram: @brad_davis11
