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Men's Soccer Announces Class of 2006 Signees
J.J. King, Gordon Templeman set to join defending PL Champions

February 19, 2002

WASHINGTON - American University’s men’s soccer program has signed J.J. King (Damascus, Md./Damascus) and Gordon Templeman (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) to National Letters of Intent. The announcement was made by head coach Todd West.

“We are very excited to welcome J.J. and Gordon to the American men’s soccer family,” said West, who is entering his third season at the helm of the program. “Both fill specific needs for our team next season, and they will be counted on to play significant roles in the coming years.”

King, a 5-10, 150-pound forward, led Damascus in scoring his final three seasons. He figured in all 16 of the team’s goals, scoring 13 of the 16, while assisting on three others. A four-year starter and the team’s leading scorer his final three seasons, King was an Washington Post All-Met selection his senior year.

“JJ is a smart/technical soccer player. He can play up top or in midfield and his ability to read the game and make smart soccer decisions is what sets him apart. We should have a number of quality options up front and JJ just adds to our depth up front and in midfield. He will make us better either as a starter or as one more quality attacking player competing for time.”

Playing club ball for the Montgomery Soccer Club (MSC) United U-17, King led the team to the NCSL D1 Championship. Moving up to the U-19 level, he played for Bethesda United, and helped lead the squad to the 2000 Maryland State Cup. In March 2000, King was invited to participate in the youth academy of Leeds United, a club in the English Premier League (EPL).

Templeman, at 5-8, 165-pounds, is a very athletic defensive midfielder who can also play as a defender. The captain of the Virginia Olympic Development (ODP) ’84 team, Templeman was also a member of the Region 1 ODP team.

“Gordon is a proven winner. He can play in several spots on the field and I expect him to compete for a spot immediately either as a deep midfielder or anywhere in back.”

A member of the Beach F.C. club team, Templeman also helped lead the club to four consecutive Virginia State titles.

American earned a berth in the 2001 Men’s College Cup by virtue of the Patriot League championships, and advanced to the Sweet 16, where the Eagles finally fell to eventual National Champion North Carolina, 1-0, in overtime. The Eagles advanced to the round of 16 with consecutive wins over Ohio State (2-1), and Wake Forest (3-0), in the first two rounds. It was American’s third trip all-time to the Sweet 16, and first since 1997. The 2001 Patriot League champions, American went 13-7-2 overall in 2001, and 6-1-0 in league play.

The Eagles begin preparation for the fall 2002 campaign with a tough spring schedule, which gets underway on Mar. 3 with a date against the Richmond Kickers of the A-League. The spring schedule also includes matches with D.C. United of Major League Soccer on April 1

American University became a full member of the Patriot League on July 1, 2001, after competing in the CAA since the 1985-86 academic year. The University, founded in 1893, fields a 19-sport Division I athletics program, featuring 10 women’s sports and nine for men.