Sports

Pleasanton's David Bingham, Goalkeeper for the San Jose Earthquakes, Could be Going to 2012 Olympics

Bingham hails from Pleasanton, but went to high school in San Ramon.

Pleasanton's David Bingham, San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper, was named to the United States U-23 National Team roster for camp in Duisburg, Germany on Wednesday as head coach Caleb Porter works to establish a pool of players for 2012 Olympic qualifying.

He will leave Sunday to join Porter and 30 additional invitees to train from Nov. 7 to Nov. 16 at Sportschule Wedau, a German sporting school.

Porter’s goal for the camp is to evaluate players and create a pool of talent to draw from for the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament hosted by the United States in March of next year.

The tournament field includes the U.S., Mexico and Canada as well as representatives yet to be determined from the Caribbean and Central America.

Bingham featured in one match as a rookie with the Earthquakes in 2011, a 2-1 win against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Oct. 8.

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He made four saves in that match and recorded his first career assist after launching a ball off the turf 70 yards down field to set up a goal by Chris Wondolowski.

The Generation Adidas goalkeeper also saw time in exhibition and Reserve League matches. Bingham started and kept a clean sheet for 45 minutes against West Bromwich Albion of the English Premier League on July 13 at Buck Shaw Stadium.

He also scored a goal against the Baggies, a 90-yard strike off the grass that bounced over West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill for San Jose’s first goal in a 2-1 win (Watch it here). Bingham also started in two Quakes Reserve League games, compiling a 2-0-1 record with a 0.33 goals-against average and two shutouts.

The Earthquakes acquired Bingham in a weighted lottery by MLS on Jan. 25 after choosing to sign with the league following a trial with EPL side Fulham.

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The 6-foot-2 Bingham was a 2010 NSCAA All-American as a junior, registering eight shutouts in 20 matches (including the NCAA Tournament). He helped lead Cal to a 14-2-4 record and allowed just 17 goals in 2010, good for a 0.77 goals-against average. The Golden Bears fell to eventual NCAA Champion Akron in penalties in the quarterfinals.

As a sophomore in 2009, Bingham was named to the All-Pac-10 Second Team, posting four shutouts in 16 starts with a 0.95 goals against average. He also appeared in one game as a freshman while backing up current Toronto FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

A local boy, Bingham played his club soccer for Mustang. His squad in 2007 reached the Super Y-League U-17 National Championships.

Bingham was also a three-year varsity starter at California High School in San Ramon.

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