There was a time, not so long ago, when San Jose Earthquakes striker Gavin Glinton wondered if he would ever get back to Major League Soccer.
After missing the 2004 and 2005 seasons with injuries, Glinton wondered if the soccer gods had cursed him.
But a season spent with the USL First Division Charleston Battery revitalized his career and now the San Jose striker is back in top form heading into the 2008 MLS season.
"I think things happen for a reason," said Glinton, who spent the 2007 season with the L.A. Galaxy. "I've had to overcome some injuries in my career, but I only think that makes you stronger and it makes you appreciate the game that much more when you come back."
After getting selected by the Los Angeles in the second round of the 2002 SuperDraft, Glinton spent two seasons in MLS with the Galaxy and Dallas Burn. Glinton was on his way to a solid rookie campaign, playing in all 23 games for the Galaxy, when he broke his ankle after a hard tackle by a Colorado defender.
"It was a bad tackle," Glinton said. "I thought it was kind of dirty, but what are you doing to do?"
Glinton was traded to Dallas midway through the 2003 season and broke his ankle for a second time playing for Turks & Caicos in a World Cup qualifying match. It took two years of grueling rehabilitation, part of that time spent as a coach at his alma mater of Bradley University, before Glinton declared himself ready to make another go at the pro game.
"Watching all those games as a coach made me want to get back out there and play that much more," Glinton said. "I never really gave up on the idea of making it back to MLS."
He signed with the Charleston Battery in 2006 and quickly became a fixture in the lineup. After leading the team in goals with 13, Glinton signed on with the L.A. Galaxy after the Battery was knocked out of the USL playoffs. He made his first appearance in an MLS game in more than three years when he played 26 minutes against Dallas at the end of the regular season.
"It was like I had come full circle," Glinton said.
With his ankles fully healed, Glinton thought the injuries that had plagued him throughout his career were behind him when he reported to the Galaxy training camp last spring. But a groin pull early in camp limited his training. By early May, Glinton had started to work his way back into the lineup, but two weeks later, he suffered another setback and underwent surgery for a sports hernia.
"It was one of the most frustrating years I've had as a professional," Glinton said. "I think you learn from it, you grow and you move on. I was trying to get back on the field, maybe a little too soon, and then when I got back on the field I wasn't able to do the things I was used to."
Finally in late June, Glinton was fit again and scored his first MLS goal in more than three years when he knocked one past Columbus on June 23. In 19 games, Glinton started three times and finished with four goals.
"It was just great to finally get healthy again," Glinton said. "I think in some ways it was kind of justice for me to finally get back on the field and to show that I could score goals at the MLS level."
With San Jose joining Major League Soccer this season, Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop was quick to snatch Glinton from the league's expansion draft. Yallop knew all about Glinton having coached him when the former Turks & Caicos captain had been in Los Angeles.
"I had Gavin when I was with L.A. and knew what he could do on the field," Yallop said. "I was very happy to get him in the draft."
Glinton was equally as pleased to be selected by San Jose having grown up in Liverpool, Calif.
"I'm from the area, it's where I grew up, so it's nice to be back," Glinton said. "Having Frank there is just an added bonus. I loved playing for him last year in L.A. I was excited when he picked me. Being around my friends and family has been great and hopefully I can help this team win a few games."
Yallop said Glinton will have a vital role with the Earthquakes this season.
"Gavin has been very sharp in the preseason," Yallop said. "I thought he played very well for us in Los Angeles last season. He battled through some injuries and when he got back on the field scored three or four goals for us in important games.
"I think Gavin has a natural eye for the goal. He doesn't always score the prettiest of goals, but he gets in there and he scores and at the end of the day that's all that matters."
Staying healthy will be a key for Glinton.
"The biggest thing is for Gavin is to keep himself healthy," Yallop said. "It's important to him and it's important for us. We need Gavin in the lineup. I have no doubt that if Gavin stays healthy he'll be productive for us. He gives you everything he's got when he's on the field."
Glinton is expected to be in the starting lineup Wednesday when the Earthquakes take on the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium in the second round of the Carolina Challenge Cup.
"It'll be nice to get back on the field again and play against some of the guys," Glinton said. "I've had a chance to catch up with some of the fans and the guys, so it's been a great week for me."
Andrew Miller is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
