club roster 2009 season stats GP Goals Assists 20 7 7 name: Steve Ralston position: F-M height: 5-9 weight:160 Birthdate: June 14, 1974 Hometown: St. Louis, MO last club: Tampa Bay (MLS)

date	clubs	video description
06/07/09	Red Bulls @ Revolution	Ralston doubles Revs' lead
05/30/09	United @ Revolution	Ralston PK winner
05/30/09	United @ Revolution	[Copy] Ralston PK game-winning goal

Arguably the best right-sided midfielder in MLS history, Ralston possesses great technique, tactical knowledge and determination ... debuted in the central attacking midfield role late in the 2007 season and to great effect … he has also filled in capably as a left-sided midfielder and right fullback during his five seasons with the Revolution … the MLS "Iron Man," Ralston holds all three of the league's longevity records - minutes played (31,600), career starts (355) and career appearances (358) entering the 2009 season … also enters 2009 ranked first in MLS career assists (128) and game-winning assists (38) … set the U.S. record for professional appearances with his start at MLS Cup 2007, collecting his record 371st professional appearance and now stands at 397 entering the 2009 season … is one of three Revs who have started and played in each of the Revs' four MLS Cup appearances (2002, 2005, 2006 & 2007) … a seven-time MLS All-Star and three-time Best XI selection … named the 2008 Revolution Team MVP, marking his second MVP selection, and earned the 2008 Revolution Budweiser Golden Boot with a career-high eight goals.

2008: Made 21 MLS appearances, including 20 starts, before suffering a broken fibula in his right leg at Kansas City (Oct. 11) that ended his regular season and forced him to miss the playoffs. Scored a career-high eight goals to share the team lead, and added seven assists to lead the team outright. Four of his goals were game-winners and five of his assists were of the game-winning variety, tying him for first in the league in both categories. Scored the game-winning goal in the 15th minute of the season opener against Houston (March 29), but was forced to exit the game in the 63rd minute after dislocating his left shoulder, which caused him to miss five matches from April 3 to April 24 while recovering from the injury. Became the first player in MLS history to reach the 30,000-minutes-played mark in the 16th minute of the 2-1 win at Chivas USA (May 11). Scored both goals in the 2-1 victory over Toronto (June 28), marking the fifth multi-goal game of his career and his third with the Revolution, while also earning him Player of the Week honors for Week 14. Started his MLS-record 350th career game on Aug. 23 at Toronto. Missed the team's matches against LA (Aug. 30) and at Columbus (Sept. 6) with back spasms, but returned to the starting lineup against Chivas USA (Sept. 11) and earned MLS Player of the Week honors (Week 25), notching one goal and two assists in the 4-0 win. Set a new career-high with his eighth goal of the season against Real Salt Lake (Oct. 4), as the Revs battled back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw. Saw his regular season come to an end when he suffered a broken fibula in his right leg in the 12th minute at Kansas City (Oct. 11). Made four starts in SuperLiga, playing left midfield, central midfield and forward during the team's championship run. Recorded one goal and a tournament-best four assists to help the team to its second tournament title. Missed the Pachuca match (July 16) with a left quadriceps strain. Recorded the game-tying assist on Shalrie Joseph's 78th-minute goal against Chivas USA (July 20). Assisted on Joseph's game-winning goal in the semifinal against Atlante (July 30). Scored the Revs' first goal in the 41st minute and assisted on Joseph's game-tying goal in the 102nd minute of the final against Houston (Aug. 5). Converted New England's first penalty kick in the 6-5 shootout victory in the final. Earned MLS All-Star honors and was the 2008 Revolution team Most Valuable Player. Won the 2008 Revolution Budweiser Golden Boot, besting Taylor Twellman - who was tied with Ralston for the team lead in goals with eight - on assists.

2007: Led MLS in assists (14) and scored four goals. Started all 26 games in which he appeared and played all but three minutes in which he was available. Missed two games while away on U.S. National Team duty for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and two later in August with an illness. Claimed the MLS career assist record as his own with an assist on Andy Dorman's game-winning goal at New York on July 14. Had three multiple-assist games (April 14 vs. Toronto, May 6 vs. Chicago and Sept. 15 vs. Dallas) after not recording a multiple-assist game since Sept. 10, 2005 against Columbus. Scored two goals and added an assist - on Taylor Twellman's game-winning goal in the 90th minute - in the Revs' 4-2 victory over Rochester in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on July 10. Ralston's goals came on a bending free kick and a stoppage-time penalty kick. Scored the game-winning goal and added two assists against Dallas on Sept. 15. Started at attacking midfield at Chicago on Oct. 6, where he stayed for the rest of the season through the conclusion of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Scored one goal and assisted on the Revs' other goal against Columbus on Oct. 13. Started all four of the Revs' postseason games, recording two assists. Set up Twellman's game-winning goal against New York on Nov. 8 in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series, and Twellman's go-ahead goal in the first half of MLS Cup 2007. Set the U.S. record for professional appearances at MLS Cup 2007, his 371st professional appearance in his 12-year career.

2006: Netted six goals and added five assists on the season, marking his ninth professional season with five or more goals. Ralston collected all five of his assists in the final 12 games of the regular season, in which the Revs went 6-2-4. Tied for the MLS lead in game-winning assists (4). Scored the game-tying goal in the final minute of stoppage time in the Revs' 1-1 draw at Kansas City on July 29. His go-ahead, turn-around goal at Chicago on July 8 was an at-large nomination for MLS Sierra Mist Goal of the Year. Set up Pat Noonan for the game-winning goal against the Red Bulls on Sept. 9 at Gillette Stadium. Assisted on Khano Smith's 88th-minute game-winning goal against Columbus on Oct. 14 to help the Revs clinch second place in the Eastern Conference. Spent much time during preseason training and early season matches shuttling between the Revolution and U.S. Men's National Team camps and friendlies.

2005: With his start at Columbus on Sept. 21, Ralston made his 100th appearance in a Revolution uniform, his first having come on March 23, 2002 against the MetroStars. He finished the season with 103 starts, enough for fourth all-time in that category for the Revs. His assist on Taylor Twellman's sixth-minute goal at the MetroStars on May 21 gave him the Revolution record 36th career assist to surpass Joe-Max Moore (35) as he finished the season with 40 career assists for the Revolution. With his assist on Twellman's 39th-minute game-winner against the Crew on Sept. 10, Ralston claimed the Revolution record for game-winning assists with eight, passing Mike Burns (seven GWA in 108 games) and José Cancela (seven GWA in 61 games).

2004: Ralston's versatility proved to be a huge asset to New England as Ralston filled-in at right fullback, left midfield and central midfield due to the Revs' injury problems. The Revolution's team MVP, tied for third on the team in goals (7) and tied for second on the team in assists (8). Only member of the team to play every minute of all 30 games in 2004. Was an MLS All-Star selection, his fourth such honor. Started all three of the Revs' playoff contests, scoring one goal and adding two assists. Assisted on Avery John's game-winning goal against Columbus in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, then converted a penalty kick and assisted on Pat Noonan's 85th-minute, game-tying goal against D.C. in the Eastern Conference Final.

2003: Though away on U.S. National Team duty for the middle portion of the MLS season, still put up strong numbers for the Revolution. Started 25 of the 26 games in which he played. Did not start the Revs' July 27 contest against D.C. after returning from national team duty. Converted the game-winning penalty kick vs. D.C. United on October 11 that clinched a playoff spot for New England. Started all three of the Revs' playoff contests.

2002: Taken sixth overall by the Revs in the MLS Allocation Draft on Jan.11, after a six-year stay with the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Ended the season having earned his third MLS Best XI distinction. Led the league with 19 assists. Accounted for assists on slightly less than half (11) of Taylor Twellman's goals on the season (23). Was a starter on the MLS All-Star team, scoring the game winner in the 81st minute. In the decisive Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final against the Crew, Ralston tallied his first points of the 2002 postseason, scoring in the 17th minute.

2001: Tampa Bay's team MVP, netted seven goals and recorded six assists. His seven goals matched his previous career high, which he set as a rookie in 1996. Recorded 20-plus points for the fourth time in his career. Started all 25 games in which he played. Scored goals in three successive games (April 7 at Dallas, April 14 vs. Columbus and April 21 at the MetroStars). Received his first-ever red card for a hand-ball foul on May 19 at Miami, and missed the following game serving the suspension.

2000: Earned his second-ever MLS Best XI honors and his second MLS Fair Play Award. Started all 30 of the games he played for the Mutiny, scoring five goals and recording 17 assists. Named to the East team in the MLS All-Star Game. Started both of Tampa Bay's MLS Cup Playoffs games.

1999: Earned MLS Best XI honors for the first time in his career, was also awarded the MLS Fair Play Award. Scored five goals and had an MLS-high 18 assists, which added up to a career-high 28 points. Was the Mutiny Team MVP. Became the first player in MLS history to play 10,000 career minutes in a 2-1 shootout victory at Columbus on Aug. 22. Became Tampa Bay's all-time leading scorer at D.C. on Oct. 6 with an assist on Ritchie Kotchau's goal in a 4-2 victory. Started both MLS Cup Playoff games against Columbus.

1998: Tallied five goals and recorded eight assists with Tampa Bay. Scored goals in three straight games for the first time in his career (July 29 at D.C., Aug. 6 vs. Miami and Aug. 14 vs. New England). Tied a then team record with four shots on goal - on four shots - against New York/New Jersey on May 3.

1997: Started in all 29 games he played for the Mutiny to lead the team. Netted five goals and recorded 11 assists to tie for second on the team in points. His assist total was second on the team only to Carlos Valderrama, who led the league with a then-record-tying 19. Named to the East team at the MLS All-Star Game. Played in one MLS Cup Playoff game after missing Tampa Bay's first game with an ankle injury.

1996: Drafted by Tampa Bay in the second round (18th overall) of the 1996 MLS College Draft. Voted the first-ever MLS Rookie of the Year. Tallied seven goals and recorded two assists in his first professional campaign. His seven goals tied for second on the Mutiny. Five of his goals were game-winners, which tied for third-best in MLS. Was one of only two Tampa Bay players to start 31 games. Recorded three assists in the Mutiny's Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against Columbus. Notched Tampa Bay's only goal in its 2-1 loss to D.C. in the Eastern Conference Championship.

COLLEGE: Starred for the Golden Panthers for three seasons (1993-95) after transferring from Forest Park Community College in St. Louis after his freshman season … a two-time All-American at FIU … led the nation in scoring as a junior with 56 points (19 goals and 18 assists), the second-highest total in school history … set the FIU single-season assists record that season … ranks first at FIU in career assists (33) and fourth in career scoring (113 points: 40 goals, 33 assists) and consecutive games with an assist (six), and shares the record for hat tricks (3) … in 1994, Ralston led the Golden Panthers to their second-ever NCAA appearance and final national rankings of No. 14 in the coaches poll and No. 15 by Soccer America.

U.S. NATIONAL TEAM: Has earned 36 caps and scored four goals for the U.S. National Team as of January 1, 2009 … an alternate selection to the U.S.' 2006 FIFA World Cup squad … scored the game-winning goal in the 2-0 victory against Mexico on Sept. 3, 2005, as the U.S. claimed a berth to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany … in the 53rd minute, Eddie Lewis served a free kick to the back post where Oguchi Onyewu rose over his defender and headed the ball off the left post; the ball deflected across the goalmouth to the right side and Ralston had an easy header tap-in for the goal, his fourth with the MNT and his second during 2006 World Cup qualifying … after a three-year lay-off from the USMNT player pool, became active in national-team events in 2003 and was a force during the 2006 World Cup qualifying cycle … was a member of the 2005 and 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning U.S. squads … was recalled to the National Team in 2007 for the first time since the final games before the 2006 World Cup squad was announced, making three appearances at the Gold Cup … scored his first goal for the U.S. on Jan. 18, 2003 against Canada in the 4-0 victory … earned his first U.S. cap on Jan. 17, 1997, starting in the midfield against Peru in San Diego.

PERSONAL: Married to Rachel and the couple has two daughters, Anna (7) and Clara (1), and one son, Liam (3) ... is an avid fisherman and hunter ... would like to coach soccer after his playing career is finished ... majored in education at Florida International University ... his favorite sportsman is pro fisherman Kevin Van Dam ... a St. Louis native, Ralston is a big St. Louis Cardinals fan ... also enjoys Mexican food and country and rock music ... his favorite soccer moment is his goal against Mexico on Sept. 3, 2005, a game the U.S. won to clinch a berth in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.