An experienced midfielder at both the MLS and international levels, Stephenson will add some veteran depth to a Real Salt Lake midfield stocked with younger reserves. The former San Jose Earthquake is very versatile, capable of playing on the outside or on top of RSL’s midfield diamond as well as at forward. The 6-foot-4 Stephenson isn’t afraid to let it fly, often shooting from distance – and occasionally scoring the fantastic goal – during his 2 ½ seasons in San Jose.
Expect Stephenson – who, along with RSL defender Lovel Palmer, played with RSL Head Scout Andy Williams on the Jamaican National Team – to get solid minutes off the bench as well as the occasional spot start for Claret-and-Cobalt Head Coach Jason Kreis in 2013.
Acquired
RSL: Signed by Real Salt Lake on Feb. 22, 2013
SJ: Signed by San Jose on Aug. 9, 2010
KC: Acquired by Kansas City in a trade with Chicago on April 7, 2004
CHI: Drafted 27th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 16, 2004
Professional Experience
2012: Appeared in 27 league games – starting 10 – for the 2012 Supporters’ Shield winners San Jose Earthquakes … Scored two goals and added three assists in 1,052 minutes played for the ‘Quakes … Registered his first start of the season in San Jose’s second match, a 0-1 loss at home to the Houston Dynamo on March 17 … Notched an assist in San Jose’s 2-2 draw at New York on April 14 … Scored one goal and added an assist in San Jose’s next match, a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake at Buck Shaw Stadium … Started four league matches in a row from April 14 through May 2, his longest such streak of the season … Scored his second goal of the season in a substitute appearance in the ‘Quakes’ 3-2 win at L.A. on May 23 … Notched his third and final assist of the season on July 14 in San Jose’s lopsided 5-0 win over 10-man Real Salt Lake … Came on as a substitute in San Jose’s final four regular season matches … Did not appear in San Jose’s Western Conference Semifinal series loss to eventual MLS Cup champions L.A. Galaxy
2011: Won MLS Goal of the Week for Week 3 for goal against SEA on 4/2 … Started and played 81 minutes and received a yellow card vs. RSL on 3/19... DNP at DAL on 3/26 due to national team duty with Jamaica ... Came on as a substitute in the 46th minute and scored first goal of season vs. SEA on 4/2 ... Goal vs. SEA on 4/2 won MLS Goal of the Week honors … Started and played 80 minutes vs. TFC on 4/9 ... Started and played 61 minutes at NY on 4/16 ... Started, played 54 minutes and notched first assist of season vs. CHV on 4/23 ... Came on as a substitute in 64th minute at VAN on 5/11 ... Played 90 minutes and scored second goal of season vs. CLB on 5/14 ... Played 90 minutes vs. NE on 5/21 ... Started and played 68 minutes on 5/28 at CHI … Started and played 82 minutes vs. HOU on 6/4... Started, played 48 minutes and notched an assist at DC on 6/11 ... Played 90 minutes at KC on 6/17 ... Played 46 minutes vs. LA on 6/25 ... Played 90 minutes and scored third goal of season vs. NY on 7/2 … Started and played 90 minutes vs. PHI on 7/9, at CLB on 7/16 and at RSL on 7/23 ... Came on as a substitute in 64th minute vs. POR on 8/6 … Played 90 minutes vs. COL on 8/13 … Started and played 71 minutes at LA on 8/20 … Came on as a substitute in 66th minute at TFC on 8/27 … Played 90 minutes vs. CHI on 9/10 and notched an assist …Played 90 minutes at HOU on 9/17 and scored a goal in the 40th minute … Played 90 minutes at POR on 9/21 and scored a goal in the 70th minute … Played 90 minutes at COL on 9/24 … Started and played 72 minutes vs. SKC on 10/1 … Played 90 minutes at NE on 10/8 and at SEA on 10/15 … Started and played 62 minutes and notched an assist vs. FCD on 10/22. Exhibition: Started, played 45 minutes and scored game-winning goal vs. West Brom on 7/12 ... Started and played 83 minutes vs. VAN on 7/20 ... Started and played 66 minutes vs. DC on 7/30 … Open Cup Qualifying: Started and played 82 minutes at POR on 5/3 ... Came on as a substitute in 71st minute and received a yellow card vs. CHI on 5/24 … Reserves: Played 90 minutes at VAN on 9/6.
2010: Signed with San Jose on Aug. 11 … Started and played 11 games … Scored one goal and notched one assist … Made his San Jose debut vs. KC on 8/14 and notched first career assist … Played 90 minutes vs. LA on 8/21 and at NY on 8/28 … Started and played 56 minutes at HOU on 9/5 and scored first MLS goal … DNP vs. FCD on 9/11 due to let ankle sprain … Started and played 45 minutes vs. PHI on 9/15 … Started and played 73 minutes at TOR on 9/21 … Started and played 58 minutes vs. CHI on 9/29 … Played 90 minutes at CLB on 10/2 … Started and played 59 minutes at DC on 10/9 … Started and played 61 minutes vs. HOU on 10/16 … DNP vs. CHV on 10/20 … Started and played 62 minutes at KC on 10/23 … MLS Cup Playoffs: Came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute vs. NY on 10/30 … DNP at NY on 11/4 … Came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute at COL on 11/13.
2008-2010 – (Aalesunds FK – Norwegian Tippeligean): Appeared in 39 matches for Aalesunds FK in the Norwegian Tippeligean … Scored four goals … Helped club to Norwegian Cup title in 2009 … Helped club qualify for 2010/2011 Europa League 2007-2008: Made 25 appearances for AIK of the Swedish Allsvenskan … Scored two goals.
2007: Moved to Swedish club AIK, appearing in 25 matches for the Stockholm side and scoring a pair of goals
2006: Appeared in 25 matches for GAIS in Sweden and scored three goals.
2005: Appeared in six regular season games, starting one, for the Kansas City Wizards
2004: Drafted 27th overall in 2004 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire … Traded to Kansas City Wizards after preseason for a conditional draft pick … Appeared in three games … MLS Cup Playoffs: Appeared in all four games on Kansas City’s run to MLS Cup Final … Scored vs. SJ on 10/30.
Jamaican National Team
Appeared in 26 games for Jamaican national team … Has scored three goals for the Reggae Boyz.
College
Played four seasons at Williams College … Scored 40 goals and notched 18 assists in collegiate career … Named Division III First-Team All-American in junior and senior seasons … Scored 15 goals in senior season