Joey Gjertsen

Joey Gjertsen

Gjertsen vs Philadelphia, September 2010
Personal information
Full name	Joseph Gjertsen
Date of birth	(1982-06-13) June 13, 1982 (age 34)
Place of birth	Tacoma, Washington, United States
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Seattle Sounders FC U-23
Number	7
Youth career
2001	Tacoma Titans
2002	Yavapai Roughriders
2003–2004	Evergreen State Geoducks
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2007	Vancouver Whitecaps	74	(18)
2007–2009	Montreal Impact	66	(4)
2010–2012	San Jose Earthquakes	36	(2)
2015–	Seattle Sounders FC U-23	8	(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of June 29, 2014.

Joey Gjertsen (born June 13, 1982) is an American professional soccer player who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC U-23 in the USL Premier Development League.

Gjertsen started his college soccer at Tacoma Community College where he produced 31 goals and a school record 14 assists in his freshman campaign. He then transferred to Yavapai College where he won a NJCAA national championship. Transferring once again, he enjoyed a successful two-year career at The Evergreen State College, earning All-American honors, All-Region Team and Region I Player of the year honors in 2004. He was named as the Conference Player of the Year, as he led the league with 27 goals in 2003. It was during that same season that he once scored 5 goals and an assist in one game, as well as hitting three consecutive hat-tricks. At Evergreen, Gjertsen holds the record with 54 career goals after spending only two of his four years at the college.

Gjertsen found instant professional success after signing with Vancouver Whitecaps in 2005. He was named Team Rookie of the Year, earning 27 caps (15 starts) and finding the back of the net three times. 2006 proved to be an even better year for Gjertsen, as he played in all 28 games (26 starts) and led the team in scoring with 31 points (12 goals and 7 assists). He success earned him First Team USL honors, announced in September 2006. On September 29, 2006, Gjertsen was named USL MVP at the league's championship weekend banquet in Rochester, New York. Gjertsen was instrumental in the Whitecaps' first USL-1 championship, won in 2006. His first half cross was deflected into the goal by a Rhinos defender for the first Whitecaps goal, and he assisted on another in Vancouver's 3–0 defeat of the Rochester Rhinos.

Gjertsen was traded to Montreal Impact on July 26, 2007 along with midfielder David Testo for midfielder Zé Roberto and forward Alen Marcina. On October 24, 2007 he signed a two-year deal with the club.