Dennis Chin (born 4 June 1987) is a Jamaican former professional footballer who played as a forward, notably for Orlando City SC. He is currently the President of Global Soccer at Young Money APAA Sports,[1] an agency led by rapper Lil' Wayne and Adie Von Gontard, whose great grandfather founded Anheuser-Busch.[2]
 Chin playing for the Richmond Kickers 2019 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Dennis Chin | ||
| Date of birth | 4 June 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Kingston, Jamaica | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2009 | Rollins | 62 | (22) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2010 | Central Florida Kraze | 56 | (10) |
| 2011–2014 | Orlando City | 84 | (22) |
| 2013 | → San Antonio Scorpions (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2015 | Arizona United | 20 | (3) |
| 2016 | Ottawa Fury FC | 15 | (1) |
| 2016–2017 | Ironi Nesher | 29 | (5) |
| 2018 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 5 | (0) |
| 2019 | Richmond Kickers | 23 | (5) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 October 2019 | |||
Club career
editYouth and College
editChin was born in Kingston, Jamaica to a Jamaican mother and a Chinese Jamaican father. He moved to the US when he was ten and attended Oviedo High School, before playing college soccer at Rollins College from 2005 through 2009. He scored 7 goals and 3 assists in each of his junior and senior years (2008 and 2009).[3] During his time at Rollins, he also played for the Central Florida Kraze of the USL Premier Development League from 2005 to 2010.[4]
Orlando City
edit
Chin signed with Orlando City of the USL Professional Division in 2011.[5] He made his professional debut on 14 May 2011, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.[6] He then scored a goal and provided two assists in their first round match in the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, in a 4–0 win over ASC New Stars.[7] After spending the early portion of the 2011 season learning Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath's system, Chin came alive in the later part of the campaign and became known as the super-sub. As a result, the speedster ended his rookie season with four goals, two of which came during the Lions' memorable three-game playoff run, which saw the club secure its first USL PRO Championship.
In December 2011, Orlando signed Chin to a contract extension through the 2014 season.[8]
Moving into his second season, Chin's confident play towards the end of his rookie year certainly carried over into his second term with the club. Dennis transitioned from his super-sub role, held in year one, to become the primary goal-scorer for the Lions. Chin's first goal came just three minutes into their first game of the season against the Charlotte Eagles and would set the tone for the kind of year he was about to embark on.
All season long, Chin's pace and finishing ability caused problems for opposing teams' back lines and led to the striker scoring 11 goals during league play, which was a team record. Those 11 goals were also good for the best in the league and saw Chin finish as USL Golden Boot and Scoring Champion (27 points) of the USL Pro in only his second season as a professional.[9] In addition, Chin also notched three assists during league play and also scored in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup against Major League Soccer Club Sporting Kansas City.
Chin's impressive play led to the Oviedo native being named to the USL Pro All-League first team, while also being nominated for USL Pro Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Central Florida Athlete of the Year. Dennis also accepted invitations to train with MLS sides Chicago Fire and D.C. United during the 2012 off-season.
In his third year with Orlando City, Chin was once again an integral part of the Lions' Championship run. After notching five goals and five assists in the regular season, Chin was lethal in the playoffs and recorded four goals and three assists, in three games played, leading the USL Pro playoffs in both categories. Two of those four goals were scored in the USL Pro Championship match and helped Orlando City secure its second USL Pro title, after being upset by the Wilmington Hammerheads in the year prior. He left the club upon the conclusion of the 2014 season, before the club's transition to Major League Soccer.[10]
Arizona United
editAfter exploring some opportunities in Europe, Chin ultimately signed with another USL team, Arizona United SC.[11] He ended up scoring in the first two matches of 2015.
Ottawa Fury
editIn December 2015, Chin signed with Canadian NASL club Ottawa Fury FC.[12] Playing in multiple different positions, Chin scored one goal for Ottawa in 17 appearances in all competitions, including seven starts.
Ironi Nesher
editOn August 26, 2016, he was transferred to recently promoted Israeli second division club Ironi Nesher.[13] He helped Nesher to avoid relegation, leading the club in goals and assists.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
editOn February 23, 2018, Chin joined the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of the United Soccer League.[14] After missing the start of the year with injury, Chin helped the Riverhounds to the 2018 USL Championship Playoffs.
Richmond Kickers
editOn January 7, 2019, Chin joined the Richmond Kickers of the USL League One as a player/assistant coach.[15]
Personal life
editChin's great grandparents came from Guangdong, China and they are Hakka.[citation needed] His last name is the Hakka variant of 陈 (corresponding to the Cantonese Chan and Mandarin Chen). After retiring from professional soccer, Chin started his own Sports Agency, CHYN, that was acquired by Young Money APAA Sports in 2024.[16]
Honours
edit- USL Championship 2011
- USL Championship Supporters Shield 2011
- USL Championship Supporters Shield 2012
- USL Championship Golden Boot 2012
- USL Championship First Team All-League 2012
- USL Championship MVP Candidate 2012
- Central Florida Athlete of the Year Nominee 2012
- USL Championship 2013
- USL Championship Supporters Shield 2014
References
edit- ^ orlandocitysc. "Honor Thy History: Dennis Chin takes his Orlando soccer roots to a global stage | Orlando City". orlandocitysc. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ Issa, Mat. "The Life Of A Sports Agent In 2023 With Adie von Gontard". Forbes. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ "Dennis Chin - Rollins College Athletics - RollinsSports.com". rollinssports.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ "Orlando City Soccer Club: News". orlandocitysoccer.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ "Orlando City Signs Valentino". Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". uslpro.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". uslpro.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ "Orlando City Soccer Club: News". orlandocitysoccer.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ Staff, USLLeagueOne com (7 January 2019). "Kickers Sign Former Championship Golden Boot Chin". USL League One. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ Radcliffe, Jeff (16 September 2014). "13 Orlando City players released as part of Major League Soccer transition". Bright House Sports Network. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ "Arizona United Soccer Club Signs Former USL Champion & Leading Goal Scorer Dennis Chin". Arizona United. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ "Fury adds trio of new faces to 2016 roster". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
- ^ "Dennis Chin transfers from Ottawa Fury to Israeli second division". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 31 August 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
- ^ "Riverhounds SC signs forward Dennis Chin". riverhounds.com. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ^ "Show".
- ^ "Young Money APAA Soccer". YM APAA Soccer. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
