With Stanford University advancing to the 2015 men’s College Cup Semifinal in Kansas City, the San Jose Earthquakes take a look at the season thus far for former academy star Amir Bashti.
Last year, Bashti led the Quakes Academy with 16 goals in 22 total appearances. His leadership and ability to find the back of the net helped carry San Jose to the top of the U17/18 West Conference and finish third overall at U.S. Soccer Development Academy Championships.
“Amir has been a part of the Quakes organization for some time and has always stood out among his peers,” said Earthquakes Technical Director Chris Leitch. “He had a tremendous career in our youth system and it’s great to see him have a successful transition to a prestigious university like Stanford. He has quickly become an important part of the Cardinal team and I know the coaching staff is as high on him as we are.”
So far in Bashti’s freshman season at Stanford, he has appeared in 19 of the team’s 21 matches, making one start. He has scored four goals, fourth most on the team, and added two assists.
Bashti goal No. 1️⃣. #GoStanfordpic.twitter.com/YTzBTDmfI4
— StanfordMen'sSoccer (@StanfordMSoccer) November 23, 2015During the Cardinal’s run to the semifinal, Bashti has played an increasingly important role. After enjoying a first round bye, Bashti came off the bench to score a pair of goals, lifting Stanford over Santa Clara University, 3-1, in the second round. His performance got his name all over the national college soccer scene, landing him on Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week and College Soccer News National Team of the Week. Bashti became the first Cardinal to score multiple goals in an NCAA Tournament match since 2001 and the first Cardinal freshman to score in the tourney since Chad Marshall in 2002.
In the third round against #9 Ohio State, Bashti recorded the game-winning assist in a 3-1 victory, sending Stanford through to the next round. He then played 30 minutes on the road against the top-seeded Clemson Tigers, a 1-0 overtime victory.
Bashti goal No. 2️⃣. #GoStanfordpic.twitter.com/cQMSJ2NnVT
— StanfordMen'sSoccer (@StanfordMSoccer) November 23, 2015Bashti and the rest of the #8 Stanford Cardinal now have their sights set on #4 Akron for a spot in the 2015 College Cup Final. The match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. PT on Friday, December 11 and can be watched on ESPNU and ESPN3.com.
