Ryan Tinsley (born October 1, 1971) is an American retired soccer midfielder who played professionally in the Continental Indoor Soccer League and Major League Soccer.
Youth Tinsley graduated from El Toro High School in 1989. He began his college career at Irvine Valley College where he was a 1990 All-Orange Empire Conference player. In July 1991, he transferred to UC Irvine where he played one season."2 area players to join UCI's soccer team" The Orange County Register Tuesday, July 2, 1991UC Irvine soccer records In 1992, he transferred to Fresno State where he finished his college soccer career.
Professional In 1994, Tinsley played for the amateur Orange County Precise in the Pacific Soccer League."O.C. Precise gets exiled in championship again" The Orange County Register Thursday, May 19, 1994 On July 24, 1994, he signed with the San Diego Sockers of the Continental Indoor Soccer League."Transactions" The Kansas City Star Friday, July 22, 1994 In 1995, he played for the amateur Newport Beach Riptide of the Pacific Soccer League, winning the league title in April."Riptide rips Vanguards for PSL title" The Orange County Register Thursday, April 27, 1995 In June 1995, the Sockers transferred Tinsley to FC Saarbrücken"Transactions" The Kansas City Star Wednesday, June 28, 1995 He spent the 1995–1996 season in Germany. On July 12, 1996, the Sockers selected Tinsley with the first pick in the 1996 CISL Supplemental Draft."Sockers draft Tinsley with No. 1 choice" San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) Friday, July 12, 1996 On February 2, 1997, the Kansas City Wizards selected Tinsley in the first round (seventh overall) of the 1997 MLS Supplemental Draft.1997 MLS Supplemental Draft He played two seasons in Kansas City where he was in the top four players both seasons as far as games and minutes played. He injured his knee during the 1999 pre-season and did not play a game before the Wizards traded him to the Chicago Fire in exchange for Jesse Van Saun and a first-round pick in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft."Change is name of game for Fire" Chicago Sun-Times Friday, May 7, 1999 He played three games for the Fire, then was traded to the San Jose Clash on June 30, 1999, in exchange for the fourth selection in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft, which Chicago used to draft future U.S. national team captain Carlos Bocanegra."TRANSACTIONS" Times, The (Trenton, New Jersey) Wednesday, June 30, 1999 He finished the 1999 season in San Jose, then became a regular during the 2000 season before retiring in October 2000.
References
External links San Jose Earthquakes player profile