About Eddie Gaven
Eddie Gaven (born October 25, 1986) is an American former soccer player who played 11 seasons in Major League Soccer, primarily with the Columbus Crew. In July 2012, Gaven became the youngest player to play in 250 MLS matches at 25 years and 257 days old. == Early life == Gaven was born in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, and attended Steinert High School. He did not play college soccer; instead, Gaven spent two years training with other young Americans at the USSF's Bradenton Academy. == Professional career == Gaven became (at the time, since passed by Freddy Adu) the youngest player to sign with MLS. At the age of 16 years and two months, Gaven was drafted by the MetroStars with the twelfth overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. He became the youngest player in team history on his debut on June 14, 2003, against Chicago and became the youngest player in team history to score a goal, which he did in just his second game, against D.C. United on July 5. With the game tied at two, Metro coach Bob Bradley used a loophole in MLS's substitution rules, which allowed a fourth substitution in a game but only for a goalkeeper. Bradley first exchanged the playing positions of Metro goalie Tim Howard and midfielder Mark Lisi, then substituted Gaven into goal for Lisi as the fourth "goalkeeper only" sub. After only 10 seconds of play, the ball went out of play and Gaven and Howard switched places, with Gaven moving to midfield and Howard back into goal. Gaven then went on to score the game-winner in overtime.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.