Chris Roner
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | March 4, 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | San Francisco, California, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–2001 | California Golden Bears | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2002–2004 | San Jose Earthquakes | 27 | (2) |
| 2002 | → Portland Timbers (loan) | 4 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Chris Roner (born March 4, 1980), who goes by his middle name Thor, is a former American soccer player. He played for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. His brother, Erik Roner was a professional skier and base jumper who starred in the Nitro Circus series on MTV.[1]
Thor Roner (pronounced "Ron-ear") played four years of college soccer at University of California, Berkeley where he was Team Captain, First Team Pac-10 and MVP his final three years.[2] He was selected 33rd overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft.[3] As a rookie, Chris saw significant playing time. He also spent a short period of time in the USL A-League with the Portland Timbers. The following year, in 2003, he was instrumental in helping the Quakes win the MLS Cup despite a bad game in the final. In the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Roner scored the tying goal in the 90th minute, capping the “greatest comeback game” in MLS history.[4]
After the 2003 championship, Roner underwent a routine arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle, but the cartilage damage was so severe that it ended his soccer career very early.[5] He currently runs footwear company, Heroyk.[6]