is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder or defender.
Career Japan Shin played alongside Japanese national hero Shunsuke Nakamura, who also started his career at Yokohama. In 2002 acquired by Omiya Ardija and then Tokushima Vortis.
He played part of the 2005 season and all of the 2006 season for ALO's Hokuriku of the Japan Football League in Japan.
Crystal Palace Baltimore In his first season in Baltimore, Harada was named to the USL Second Division All-League Second-Team, and followed that up by being named in the USL Second Division All-League First-Team in 2008, 2009, and 2010.USL-2 All League Teams Announced
Harada has become USL-2 All-League regular by making his fourth consecutive appearance on an All-League team. He was also the Most Valuable Defender finalist in 2009, and earned that award in 2010.USL-2 Awards Winners Announced He is nominated as 2010 USL Second Division Most Valuable Player.USL-2 Awards Finalists Announced
During the 2008 off-season, several Major League Soccer clubs showed interest in him, and invited to take part in their trials such by Chicago Fire, Real Salt Lake, and San Jose Earthquakes, but due to injury had to return to Palace for the 2009 season.
Following his impressive performances in the 2009 season, Harada went on trial at Baltimore's English parent club, Crystal Palace.Give & Go: Crystal Palace's Shintaro Harada
After three months of training with Crystal Palace F.C., he was selected as the "Palace's Other Player Of The Year" on Crystal Palace's official club magazine,PALACE's OTHER PLAYER OF THE YEAR and featured also on Major League Soccer's expansion team Philadelphia Union's official website as a strong candidate for the club's tryout.OPEN TRYOUT SPOTLIGHT: MEET SHINTARO HARADA
Pittsburgh Riverhounds On 22 March 2010, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds announced the signing of Harada to a contract for the 2010 season.
While in the second division, Harada won the league's USL Second Division All-League First Team for 4 consecutive years. He re-signed with Pittsburgh, in the USL Pro league, on 21 February 2011.
Dayton Dutch Lions After the conclusion of the 2012 season, Harada was invited to tryout with CE Sabadell FC that plays in Spanish Segunda División.Shintaro Harada és central i ha jugat les darreres temporades als Estats Units Before the USL Pro season started, Harada signed with Dayton Dutch Lions,Dutch Lions Unveil Five Signings where he led the club into the playoffs for the first time in club history.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks On 12 February 2015, The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced the signing of Harada for the 2015 season.SFC Announces 2015 Player – Shintaro Harada This will be Harada's 3rd team in USL PRO. Head Coach Steve Trittschuh praised that "Harada has been a great leader for us and role model for the younger players".Veteran Japanese midfielder Shintaro Harada is guiding force for surging Colorado Springs Switchbacks On 23 June 2015, Harada made his 100th appearance in United Soccer League as the first Japanese in league history.100 - appearances for @shintaroharada Harada ended his first season with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC with 2 goals and 2 assists and logged 2,000 minutes of play time.
On 12 January 2016, it was announced that Harada had resigned for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the 2016 USL Pro season.
Hong Kong Upon conclusion of USL Pro 2013 season, Harada announced he would sign with Yokohama FC Hong Kong on a loan deal until 31 January 2014.Harada Shintaro Transferred to Yokohama FC (HK) on Loan
Retirement After retiring in 2017, he became a scout for the Japanese J.League side FC Tokyo. In 2019, it was announced that he became the scout for Omiya Ardija, in J.League, where he played as a player back in 2002.
Style of play Proved as a quality utility player who plays both holding midfielder, and center defender by being selected to All-League First-Team for both positions. Known for his accurate distribution, and play making in the middle as the control tower. Admires the Mexican National Team's Rafael Márquez, and FC Barcelona's Pep Guardiola.
Has been reported about his "the dedicated — almost spartan — approach" with his professionVeteran Japanese player sets example for Dutch Lions
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsYokohama F. Marinos1999J1 League0000101020001610020181200100000000Total1610030191Omiya Ardija2002J2 League2000–20Tokushima Vortis2003Japan Football League27130–301200422210–2322005J2 League2000–20Total5134000553ALO's Hokuriku2005Japan Football League11030–1402006270––270Total3803000410Crystal Palace Baltimore2007USL Second Division20010–210200821240–252200920010–210Total61260–672Pittsburgh Riverhounds2010USL Second Division17010–1802011USL Pro18210–1922012210–210Total56220–582Dayton Dutch Lions2013USL Pro24110–2512014251–251Total49210–502Yokohama FC Hong Kong (loan)2013Hong Kong First Division50–50Colorado Springs Switchbacks2015USL Pro28220–30220167010–80Total35230–382Career total313121903033512
Honors and awards Yokohama F. Marinos J1 League Stage 1 Champion: 2000
Individual 2015 - First Japanese to appear in 100 games in United Soccer League 2010 - USL Second Division Most Valuable Player Finalist 2010 - USL Second Division Most Valuable Defender 2010 - USL Second Division All-League First Team 2009 - Crystal Palace F.C.: "Palace's Other Player Of The Year" 2009 - USL Second Division All-League First-Team 2009 - USL Second Division Most Valuable Defender Finalist 2008 - USL Second Division All-League First-Team 2007 - USL Second Division All-League Second-Team
References
External links
Pittsburgh Riverhounds player profile Crystal Palace Baltimore player profile SOCCER TRANSITION - Made In Japan