is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder or defender.

Career

Japan

Shin played alongside Japanese national hero Shunsuke Nakamura, who also started his career at Yokohoma. In 2002 acquired by Omiya Ardija and then Tokushima Vortis. He played part of the 2005 season and all of the 2006 season for

ALO's Hokuriku was a Japanese football club based in Toyama, the capital city of Toyama Prefecture. They played in the Japan Football League, and their team colour was blue. Their nickname ''ALO's'' derives from ''Antelopes.'' '' Hokuriku'' refers to the regio ...

of the Japan Football League in Japan.

Crystal Palace Baltimore

In his first season in Baltimore, Harada was named to the USL Second Division All-League Second-Team, and followed that up by being named in the USL Second Division All-League First-Team in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Harada has become USL-2 All-League regular by making his fourth consecutive appearance on an All-League team. He was also the

Most Valuable Defender Most or Möst or ''variation'', may refer to: Places * Most, Kardzhali Province, a village in Bulgaria * Most (city), a city in the Czech Republic ** Most District, a district surrounding the city ** Most Basin, a lowland named after the city ** A ...

finalist in 2009, and earned that award in 2010. He is nominated as 2010 USL Second Division

Most Valuable Player In team sports, a most valuable player award, abbreviated 'MVP award', is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particu ...

. During the 2008 off-season, several

Major League Soccer Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams—26 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada ...

clubs showed interest in him, and invited to take part in their trials such by Chicago Fire, Real Salt Lake, and

San Jose Earthquakes The San Jose Earthquakes are an American professional soccer team based in San Jose, California. The Earthquakes compete as a member club of the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). Originally as the San Jose Clash, the franchise ...

, but due to injury had to return to Palace for the 2009 season. Following his impressive performances in the 2009 season, Harada went on trial at Baltimore's English parent club, Crystal Palace. After three months of training with Crystal Palace F.C., he was selected as the "Palace's Other Player Of The Year" on Crystal Palace's official club magazine, and featured also on

's expansion team

Philadelphia Union The Philadelphia Union are an American professional soccer club based in Chester, Pennsylvania. The Union compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Founded on February 28, 2008, the club began playing in 201 ...

's official website as a strong candidate for the club's tryout.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

On 22 March 2010, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds announced the signing of Harada to a contract for the 2010 season. While in the second division, Harada won the league's USL Second Division All-League First Team for 4 consecutive years. He re-signed with Pittsburgh, in the USL Pro league, on 21 February 2011.

Dayton Dutch Lions

After the conclusion of the 2012 season, Harada was invited to tryout with CE Sabadell FC that plays in Spanish

Segunda División The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Segunda División, commercially known as LaLiga SmartBank for sponsorship reasons, is the men's second professional association football division of the Spanish football league system. Administrated by the Lig ...

. Before the USL Pro season started, Harada signed with Dayton Dutch Lions, where he led the club into the playoffs for the first time in club history.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks

On 12 February 2015, The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced the signing of Harada for the 2015 season. This will be Harada's 3rd team in USL PRO. Head Coach

Steve Trittschuh Stephen "Steve" Trittschuh (born April 24, 1965) is an American soccer coach and former player who most recently served as head coach of USL Championship side Saint Louis FC. As a player, he played as a defender in the Major Indoor Soccer Lea ...

praised that "Harada has been a great leader for us and role model for the younger players". On 23 June 2015, Harada made his 100th appearance in United Soccer League as the first Japanese in league history. Harada ended his first season with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC with 2 goals and 2 assists and logged 2,000 minutes of play time. On 12 January 2016, it was announced that Harada had resigned for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the 2016 USL Pro season.

Hong Kong

Upon conclusion of USL Pro 2013 season, Harada announced he would sign with Yokohama FC Hong Kong on a loan deal until 31 January 2014.

Retirement

After retiring in 2017, he became a scout for the Japanese

J.League The , officially is Japan's professional football league including the first division J1 League, second division J2 League and third division J3 League of the Japanese association football league system. J1 League is one of the most successfu ...

side

FC Tokyo Football Club Tokyo, commonly known as , is a Japanese professional football club based in Chōfu, Tokyo. The club plays in the J1 League, which is the top tier of football in the country. The team is one of only four in the J.League to be si ...

. In 2019, it was announced that he became the scout for Omiya Ardija, in J.League, where he played as a player back in 2002.

Style of play

Proved as a quality utility player who plays both holding midfielder, and center defender by being selected to All-League First-Team for both positions. Known for his accurate distribution, and play making in the middle as the control tower. Admires the Mexican National Team's Rafael Márquez, and FC Barcelona's

Pep Guardiola Josep "Pep" Guardiola Sala (; born 18 January 1971) is a Spanish professional football manager and former player, who is the current manager of club Manchester City. He is considered one of the greatest managers of all time and holds the re ...

. Has been reported about his "the dedicated — almost spartan — approach" with his professionVeteran Japanese player sets example for Dutch Lions
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Career statistics

Honors and awards

Yokohama F. Marinos *

J1 League The , known as the for sponsorship reasons, is the top level of the system. Founded in 1992, it is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football. Contested by 18 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the J ...

Stage 1 Champion: 2000 Individual * 2015 - First Japanese to appear in 100 games in United Soccer League * 2010 - USL Second Division Most Valuable Player Finalist * 2010 - USL Second Division Most Valuable Defender * 2010 - USL Second Division All-League First Team * 2009 - Crystal Palace F.C.: "Palace's Other Player Of The Year" * 2009 - USL Second Division All-League First-Team * 2009 - USL Second Division Most Valuable Defender Finalist * 2008 - USL Second Division All-League First-Team * 2007 - USL Second Division All-League Second-Team

References

External links

*
Pittsburgh Riverhounds player profileCrystal Palace Baltimore player profileSOCCER TRANSITION - Made In Japan
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harada, Shintaro 1980 births Living people Association football people from Saitama Prefecture Japanese men's footballers J1 League players J2 League players Japan Football League players Yokohama F. Marinos players Omiya Ardija players Tokushima Vortis players Kataller Toyama players Japanese expatriate men's footballers USL Second Division players USL Championship players Crystal Palace Baltimore players Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC players Dayton Dutch Lions players Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC players Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States Men's association football midfielders