Eric Kronberg

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Sporting Kansas City’s longest tenured player, Eric Kronberg is in his eighth MLS season after being drafted in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of California. Kronberg spent his rookie season on loan to Miami FC and made his MLS debut in 2010. Kronberg has extensive experience in competitions such as the MLS Reserve League and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, as well as international friendlies, including an appearance against Manchester United FC.

2014: MLS regular season: Played in 20 matches, posting seven shutouts and a 1.10 goals against average, second best among keepers with at least 400 minutes played. Earned his first career MLS Save of the Week honor after denying Columbus' Bernardo Anor in a 2-0 win on May 4. Was out of action from mid-July to mid-September with a broken bone in his left hand, returing to league play on Sept. 26. MLS Playoffs: Played 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss at New York in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round (Oct. 30). CCL: Played in both legs of the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals vs. Cruz Azul, contributing to a 1-0 shutout win in the first leg on March 12. Started two matches in the 2014-15 group stage, posting a shutout in a 3-0 win over Real Esteli on Sept. 23, his first appearance for the club since July 6 due to injury. Open Cup: Did not feature.

2013: Allowed two goals in six matches with four shutouts across all competitions. MLS: Did not feature. CCL: Started all four 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League group stage matches. Allowed only one goal in four games and led Sporting KC to first place in the group. Open Cup: Started both Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches, shutting out Des Moines Menace 2-0 (May 28) and falling 1-0 to Orlando City SC (June 12).

2012: Kronberg is the longest tenured player on the Sporting Kansas City roster having been with the club for the last seven seasons. Kronberg underwent Sports Hernia surgery last November and missed the first few weeks of preseason recovering. Once recovered, Kronberg started and played the full 90 minutes in two international friendlies during the 2012 season, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Montpellier Herault SC but salvaging a 1-1 draw against English Premier League side Stoke City FC. Kronberg also played in two Reserve League matches during the 2012 season, against the Houston Dynamo on August 14 and FC Dallas on September 25. Against the Dynamo, Kronberg was sent off in the 78th minute for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity.  

<strong>2011:</strong> Made six saves in first start of season at LA Galaxy on May 14th. Recorded first career shutout in 0-0 draw at Toronto FC on June 4th. Notched first win of season in 4-1 victory at FC Dallas on June 12th. Also posted shutout victories in both Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifiers. Started in the 3rd round game of the U.S. Open Cup versus the Chicago Fire PDL, notching another shutout. Started versus Newcastle United during a friendly on July 20th, recording another shutout.&nbsp;<br>


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<strong>2010: </strong>Made his MLS debut on the final game of the 2010 season against San Jose. He made three saves on four shots in a 4-1 victory for the club, allowing the lone goal to 2010 MLS Golden Boot Award winner Chris Wondolowski. Held Manchester United scoreless in the second half of 2-1 victory in summer friendly, making five saves against EPL powerhouse. Started and played the full 90 in 2-1 loss to Colorado Rapids in U.S. Open Cup play-in match.<br>


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<strong>2009:</strong> Sidelined by off-season shoulder surgery for most of 2009. Did not make an appearance for the team.&nbsp;<br>


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<strong>2008:</strong> Was Kansas City&rsquo;s top backup goalkeeper, but did not see any minutes in MLS games. Led reserve team to a second place finish with a record of 8-1-2, best in the Eastern Conference. His 1.18 goals against average in 11 starts, including 3 shutouts equaled third-best in the reserve division.<br>


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<strong>2007:</strong> Led reserve team to 6-5-1 record, posting 1.50 goals against average in 12 starts.&nbsp;<br>


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<strong>2006: </strong>Selected 40th overall in the fourth round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. Spent most of season on loan to USL-1 side Miami FC and helped the club qualify for the playoffs.&nbsp;<br>


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<strong>COLLEGE: </strong>Posted a 0.89 career goals against average in 2 seasons at Fresno State (2002-2003) and 2 seasons at California (2004-2005). Posted a 12-4-2 record and 0.55 goals against average as a senior at Cal. Played club ball for Santa Rosa United.<br>


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<strong>YOUTH:</strong> Played youth soccer for Santa Rosa United. Attended Montgomery H.S.<br>


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<strong>PERSONAL:</strong> Son of Carol and Dave Kronberg. Has one older sister, Carrie. Majored in American Studies at Cal. Kronberg enjoys playing dodgeball, shuffleboard, watching movies, looking for new music to download and shopping at Costco. He also loves traveling, fly fishing, camping, and taking Rambo, his Boston Terrier puppy, to the dog park. Also practices Tai Chi and Aikido in his spare time. Favorite Kansas City restaurant is Bluestem. Admired Edwin Van der Sar growing up.&nbsp;<br>