Defender
Mike Burns
5' 9"
Biography of retired USMNT player Mike Burns who played in the 1998 World Cup and works as Sporting Director for Sporting Kansas City in MLS.
Caps: 75
A dependable player, Mike Burns appeared at every level of the USMNT programs. He has competed in the World Cup, the Olympics, the World Youth Championship, and the Under-16 World Championship.
Burns is an original member of Major League Soccer, having played five seasons with the New England Revolution before moving to San Jose in a 2000 trade and joining Kansas City prior to the 2001 season. In April of 2005, he returned to the Revolution as their Director of Soccer. In November of 2011, Burns was promoted to general manager of the Revolution. He left the club in May, 2019, consulting for MLS in 2002 and 2003. Burns became the Sporting Director for Sporting Kansas City in June 2024.
Photo by Bill Barrett – ISIPhotos.com
USMNT Experience
2003
Honored with star at the US Soccer Star Plaza at Home Depot Center.
2002
Appeared with US National Team at MLS All-Star game.
1998
Started two of the USA's three World Cup matches in France '98. He saw action in 14 matches over the course of the year.
1997
Played in 13 matches with the U.S., starting nine.
1996
Was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team and served as captain in the USA's 2-2 draw with Poland.
1995
Played in 14 games for the U.S., starting all but one. He was one of two players, along with Paul Caligiuri, to play every match for the U.S. in '95.
1995
Started all six of the USA's Copa America matches, including a shocking 3-0 win over Argentina.
1994
Was a member of the U.S. World Cup team. He made 20 appearances in all for the USA in '94.
1992
Made one appearance for the full USMNT in a 2-0 win over Canada on September 3, 1992.
1991
Was a member of the Gold-medal winning U.S. side at the Pan American Games.
1990
Competed in the U.S. Olympic Festival.
1987
Was a member of the U.S. Under-16 national team that competed in the FIFA U-16 World Championship.
Professional Experience
2002
Started 21 of 24 games for the Wizards leading them to the playoffs.
2001
Acquired by the Kansas City Wizards from the San Jose Earthquakes for draft picks on March 14, 2001. He played 19 matches for the Wizards and made 14 starts.
2000
Played eight matches with the New England Revolution before being traded to San Jose, where he started 18 matches during the 2000 season.
1999
Started all 28 of New England's matches, contributing a goal and four assists. Had trials with Utrecht of Holland, Bolton of England and Hearts of Scotland in the 1999 off-season.
1998
Named to the MLS All-Star team. He started all 23 of the Revolution's matches, registering a goal and eight assists, ranking him second on the club in assists.
1997
Was the only member of the Revs to play every minute of all 32 league games.
1996
Became a founding member of the New England Revolution. He played 17 matches and started 14 in the league's inaugural season.
Youth and College
Burns was a two-time All-American at Hartwick College.
