*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 5, 2018 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of November 2, 2012
Sean Michael Franklin (born March 21, 1985) is an American former soccer player who played as a defender.
Career
Youth and amateur
Franklin was a three-time letter-winner at Highland High School in Palmdale, California. He was named the Golden League's Most Valuable Player as a senior, and also earned all-area first-team honors in 2003 after helping the Bulldogs to a Golden League crown in 2003.
At Cal State Northridge, he was an invaluable member of the Matadors’ defense, starting over 50 games since 2004, being named to the All-Big West Conference team in both 2005 and 2006. During his college years Franklin spent two years with the San Fernando Valley Quakes of the USL Premier Development League, helping them reach the playoffs for the first time in 2007, although his campaign was cut short when he broke his arm in the playoff semi-final against BYU Cougars.
In late April, Greg Daurio reported coach Gullit saying Franklin had been their best player, saying "I think again he played an excellent game. If you see how he goes into midfield, gives long balls to David (Beckham) all the time, I think he's made huge progress. That makes me happy."[1] Franklin was awarded MLS Rookie of the Year for the 2008 season. He beat fellow finalists Geoff Cameron and Kheli Dube to the award.
Franklin missed the majority of the 2009 MLS season after undergoing surgery to repair a hamstring tear he suffered during a game against Columbus Crew on May 17, 2009.[2]
He signed a new contract with Los Angeles on December 23, 2011.[3]
Franklin was selected by D.C. United in the 2013 MLS Re-Entry Draft and signed with D.C. shortly thereafter. He scored his first goal for D.C. on April 26, 2014, in a 4–1 win against FC Dallas.[4] On December 19, 2016, D.C. United re-signed Franklin in a multiyear contract.[5] On November 28, 2017, his contract option with United was declined.[6]
Franklin was released by Vancouver at the end of their 2018 season.[8]
International
Franklin was called up to the U.S. under-20 men's national team during the spring of 2004, and played 90 minutes for the U-23 team in a 0–0 draw with Japan in Japan in 2007.
He was called up to the senior men's squad twice in 2008 and 2009. He was unused in the World Cup qualifier against Guatemala on November 18, 2008, and withdrew from the camp which faced Sweden on January 24, 2009, with a hernia injury.
He made his senior debut on January 22, 2011, in a friendly match against Chile.
