John Cunliffe

College and amateur

Born in Bolton, Cunliffe was a schoolboy trainee with both Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, before moving to the United States to play college soccer in 2002. He was a pupil at Turton Media Arts College in Bromley Cross, Bolton before turning professional and moving to America to pursue a career in football. After posting remarkable scoring totals at NCAA Division II Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and in the USL Premier Development League, for Boulder Rapids Reserve, Cunliffe was one of the leading prospects at the MLS combine prior to the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. Cunliffe also had a brief spell at English Northern Premier League First Division North outfit Rossendale United in 2005–06.

Professional

Cunliffe was drafted in the first round (7th overall) of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA. He made his MLS debut on 7 April against Toronto FC and assisted on the clinching goal in a 2–0 win. He scored his first MLS goal against the Kansas City Wizards on 29 July 2007. He was acquired by San Jose for Chris Pozniak on 28 March 2008, the day before the beginning of the 2008 season. He scored his first goal with the Earthquakes on 31 May 2008 in a 3–1 to loss to Real Salt Lake, a rocket shot from within the penalty area. He nearly scored a second goal later in the match with a shot that went slightly wide. On 2 March 2009, just prior to the start of the 2009 season, Cunliffe was placed on waivers by the Earthquakes. He joined…