Ian Russell

Russell attended the University of Washington on a soccer scholarship and was a three-time (1994, 1996–97) All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team selection. He then played for the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division in 1998 and 1999. He won the offensive MVP award in 1999.

Professional playing

After being drafted by the Seattle Sounders in 1998, Russell played for two seasons in the USL First Division. In 2000, Russell moved to Polish side Lech Poznań along with compatriots Jimmy Conrad and Wojtek Krakowiak. He then moved back to the United States to play for Major League Soccer, and he joined the San Jose Earthquakes; Russell appeared in 131 games. A pacy midfielder, he scored five goals and 20 assists, helping the Quakes win two MLS Cups, in 2001 and 2003. He is tied for first in club history in playoff appearances with 14. His best season with San Jose came in 2001, when he scored three goals and nine assists, while starting all 26 regular season games and all six playoffs games. Russell was selected to the 2001 MLS All Star Game, but was later replaced due to injury. Russell also played three games in 2007 with the Los Angeles Galaxy, under the management of Frank Yallop.

Coaching

Russell began coaching while playing for the Seattle Sounders and continued coaching while playing for the San Jose Earthquakes. Russell returned to the San Jose Earthquakes in 2008, as assistant coach. During his first year with the club, Russell helped…