CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Former Bradley All-American Gavin Glinton was impressive in his return to American professional soccer last week, scoring two goals in his debut with the Charleston Battery of the United Soccer Leagues First Division.
Glinton scored in each half Saturday, leading Charleston to a 3-0 victory in the season-opener versus the Virginia Beach Mariners at Blackbaud Stadium. Hampered by an ankle injury that put his pro career on hold for two years, a healthy Glinton collected a loose ball just 10 yards into Charleston's offensive half of the field and blew through the Mariners defense, before beating the keeper with a 1-on-1 shot in the ninth minute. He added the game's second goal in the 64th minute, then started the possession that resulted in an own goal for the final score in the 66th minute.
For his efforts Saturday, Glinton was named the USL First Division Player of the Week.
Glinton remains the only four-time All-American in Bradley Athletics and Missouri Valley Conference Soccer history. His 53 goals and 133 points from 1998 through 2001 are the Bradley career records and were the Missouri Valley Conference records when he graduated. Glinton was a second-round selection by the Los Angeles Galaxy during the 2002 Major League Soccer SuperDraft and he played two MLS seasons with the Galaxy and Dallas Burn.
Glinton suffered a broken ankle toward the end of his rookie season with the Galaxy, however, and the injury ultimately forced him out of action during his second season. Glinton spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons at his alma mater as an assistant coach while rehabbing the injury.
Glinton is one of three former Braves currently playing in the USL First Division. Both Luke Kreamalmeyer and Salim Bullen have signed with the Portland Timbers, who opened the season with a 1-0 loss April 22 at Vancouver. Kreamalmeyer, who was a member of the MLS Real Salt Lake in 2005, played all 90 minutes in his Portland debut. A second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference midfielder at Bradley in 2005, Bullen is expected to join the Timbers immediately after completing his final exams.
In addition to the three USL First Division players, three other former Braves also are playing professional soccer this season. Bryan Namoff is in his sixth season as a defender for D.C. United, while Tim Regan is in his fourth Major League Soccer season. After playing his first three years for the New York Red Bulls, Regan signed with Chivas USA last month. Meanwhile, Jon Caldwell is in his second season with the Cincinnati Kings of the USL Second Division.
