Jimmy Nielsen

Jimmy Nielsen
1
Goalkeeper
  • Sporting Kansas City
  • 6' 3"
  • 200 lbs.
  • 08-06-1977
  • Aalborg, Denmark

The 2012 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and Best XI selection, Nielsen is a two-time MLS All-Star. Nicknamed the White Puma, Nielsen played in England for Millwall and Leicester City and in his native Denmark for AaB Aalborg and Vejle prior to signing with KC in February 2010. Named team captain in 2012, Nielsen has become the MLS all-time leader in goals against average with more than 100 MLS matches played for the club. His autobiography, Welcome to theBlue Heaven, was released in 2013.

MLS:

2013: Started and played every minute thus far. Currently has the longest active shutout streak in MLS at 519 minutes. Nielsen's shutout streak is also the longest in MLS this season (surpassing Bill Hamid at 196 minutes). His shutout streak ranks second in Kansas City history behind Tony Meola's 681-minute streak during the 2000 season. Nielsen's five shutouts in 2013 lead the League.

2012: Nielsen played every minute in net for Sporting Kansas City in 2012 with a 0.79 goals against average at the conclusion of the regular season. Only one other goalkeeper in MLS history has played in 75% of their team’s games in a season and kept a goals against average below 0.80. Nielsen’s 0.79 goals against average is the best mark by a goalkeeper in club history, breaking Tony Meola’s mark of 0.92 in 2000.  Jimmy Nielsen’s 1.02 career goals against average is the best for a goalkeeper in MLS history with a minimum of 4,000 minutes played and is the best mark for a Sporting KC goalkeeper all-time. Nielsen set a club record for minutes played during a single-season with 3,060. Only five other players -- three of whom were goalkeepers -- have played 3,060 minutes in a single-season in MLS history. Nielsen also set a club record for games played and games started in a single-season with 34 and recorded 15 shutouts, the second most shutouts by a keeper in a single-season. Nielsen was named the team’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year while he led Sporting Kansas City to 18 wins this season, which matched the MLS record in the non-shootout era for most wins in a single-season. Nielsen was also nominated six times for the 2012 MLS Save of the Week honors and earned the accolade all six times he was nominated for the weekly honor. Nielsen was named a 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star, the 2012 MLS Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year, and one of the 2012 MLS Best XI. Named team captain prior to start of season.

 
 
 
2011: The fan favorite started 31 games for Sporting Kansas City and made 79 saves. Stopped a penalty from Rafa Marquez on April 30 in 1-0 loss at New York. Recorded three straight shutouts in the month of June and four straight shutouts in October, including two playoff matches against the Colorado Rapids. He won four MLS Save of the Week awards and was named Sporting Kansas City’s Most Valuable Player.
 
2010: Signed a contract with the club in February 2010 and became the starting goalkeeper for the season. He recorded 10 shutouts and made 80 saves in 29 starts, allowing 34 goals for a 1.17 goals against average. Selected as an inactive MLS All-Star prior to event. Also started and made three saves in 2-1 win over Manchester United during summer friendly. Named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year.
 
OTHER PROFESSIONAL: 
 
1995-2007: Made 342 appearances for hometown club AaB Aalborg, helping the team to the 1999 Danish Superliga championship. Named Danish Goalkeeper of the Year in 1998 and 2004.
 
2007-2010: After a brief stint at Leicester City, transferred to Danish club Vejle, for whom he made 63 appearances over two years.
 
NATIONAL TEAM: Nielsen represented Denmark at the U-19 and U-21 levels 
 
PERSONAL: Nicknamed "White Puma." Married with two daughters ages 3 and 12. In his free time Jimmy spends as much time with his family as possible. He will also go golfing occasionally, with sometimes disastrous results. Jimmy has also become a fan of the Nintendo Wii, and Wii Tennis specifically. Favorite club growing up was Everton, and Nielsen admired Neville Southall. Best soccer memory is winning the Danish league championship with Aalborg BK in 2000. Favorite Kansas City restaurant is Bella Napoli. Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holder, but is also an avid St. Louis Rams fan. 

Career Statistics (Regular Season)

Year Club GP GS MIN SHT SV GA PKG PKA W L T
2013 Sporting Kansas City 12 12 1080 7 22 9 1 1 6 4 2
2012 Sporting Kansas City 34 34 3060 15 77 27 3 4 18 7 9
2011 Sporting Kansas City 31 31 2767 7 79 35 1 2 12 8 11
2010 Kansas City Wizards 29 29 2610 10 80 34 1 1 10 13 6
Career Totals 106 106 9517 39 258 105 6 8 46 32 27

2013 Season Statistics

Competition Club GP GS MIN SHT SV GA PKG PKA W L T
MLS Regular Season Sporting Kansas City 12 12 1080 7 22 9 1 1 6 4 2

2012 Season Statistics

Competition Club GP GS MIN SHT SV GA PKG PKA W L T
MLS Regular Season Sporting Kansas City 34 34 3060 15 77 27 3 4 18 7 9
MLS Playoffs Sporting Kansas City 2 2 180 1 1 2 0 0 1 1 0

2011 Season Statistics

Competition Club GP GS MIN SHT SV GA PKG PKA W L T
MLS Regular Season Sporting Kansas City 31 31 2767 7 79 35 1 2 12 8 11
MLS Playoffs Sporting Kansas City 3 3 270 2 7 2 0 0 2 1 0

2010 Season Statistics

Competition Club GP GS MIN SHT SV GA PKG PKA W L T
MLS Regular Season Kansas City Wizards 29 29 2610 10 80 34 1 1 10 13 6
GP: Games Played, GS: Games Started, G: Goals, MIN: Minutes Played, A: Assists, SHT: Shots, SOG: Shots on Goal, FC: Fouls Committed, OFF: Offsides, Y: Yellow Cards, R: Red Cards, GF: Goals For, GA: Goals Against, SO: Shutouts, SV: Saves, PKA: Penalty Kick Attempts, PKG: Penalty Kick Goals, PKS: Penalty Kick Saves

Regular Season Game Log

Date Match Result Appearance MINS GF GA SOG SV PKA PKG PKS
5/12/2013 KC @ HOU W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 4 3 0 0 0
5/8/2013 SEA @ KC L 1-0 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
5/5/2013 CHV @ KC W 0-4 Started 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/27/2013 POR @ KC L 3-2 Started 90 0 3 7 4 0 0 0
4/20/2013 KC @ LA L 0-2 Started 90 0 2 5 3 0 0 0
4/17/2013 KC @ NY W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
4/5/2013 DC @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
3/30/2013 MTL @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
3/23/2013 KC @ NE T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3/16/2013 CHI @ KC T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
3/9/2013 KC @ TOR L 1-2 Started 90 0 2 3 1 1 1 0
3/2/2013 KC @ PHI W 3-1 Started 90 0 1 5 4 0 0 0
10/24/2012 PHI @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 1 3 2 1 0 1
10/20/2012 KC @ NY T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 5 5 0 0 0
10/7/2012 KC @ CLB T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 5 4 0 0 0
9/28/2012 CHI @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
9/22/2012 KC @ MTL T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
9/19/2012 KC @ NY W 2-0 Started 90 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
9/14/2012 HOU @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 3 2 0 0 0
9/1/2012 TOR @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
8/26/2012 NY @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
8/18/2012 KC @ TOR W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 2 2 0 0 0
8/11/2012 DC @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
8/4/2012 KC @ NE W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 2 2 0 0 0
7/28/2012 CLB @ KC L 2-1 Started 90 0 2 3 1 0 0 0
7/21/2012 NE @ KC T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
7/18/2012 KC @ HOU L 1-2 Started 90 0 2 2 0 0 0 0
7/14/2012 KC @ CLB W 2-0 Started 90 0 0 4 4 0 0 0
7/7/2012 HOU @ KC T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 2 2 0 0 0
7/4/2012 KC @ MTL W 3-1 Started 90 0 1 6 5 0 0 0
6/29/2012 CHI @ KC L 1-0 Started 90 0 1 4 3 0 0 0
6/23/2012 KC @ PHI L 0-4 Started 90 0 4 6 2 1 1 0
6/20/2012 KC @ SEA T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 3 2 0 0 0
6/16/2012 TOR @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
5/27/2012 SJ @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 1 4 3 0 0 0
5/19/2012 KC @ COL T 2-2 Started 90 0 2 6 4 0 0 0
5/12/2012 KC @ CHI L 1-2 Started 90 0 2 6 4 1 1 0
5/5/2012 MTL @ KC L 2-0 Started 90 0 2 2 0 1 1 0
4/21/2012 KC @ POR L 0-1 Started 90 0 1 2 2 0 0 0
4/18/2012 KC @ VAN W 3-1 Started 90 0 1 6 5 0 0 0
4/14/2012 RSL @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
4/7/2012 LA @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/1/2012 KC @ CHV W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3/25/2012 DAL @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
3/17/2012 NE @ KC W 0-3 Started 90 0 0 6 6 0 0 0
3/10/2012 KC @ DC W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
10/22/2011 KC @ DC W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 5 5 0 0 0
10/15/2011 NY @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 0 0 2 2 0 0 0
10/1/2011 KC @ SJ T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
9/28/2011 CLB @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 1 4 3 0 0 0
9/23/2011 PHI @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
9/17/2011 KC @ RSL L 0-1 Started 90 0 1 3 2 0 0 0
9/10/2011 HOU @ KC W 0-3 Started 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9/5/2011 LA @ KC T 2-2 Started 90 0 2 3 1 0 0 0
8/27/2011 DAL @ KC L 3-2 Started 90 0 3 4 1 0 0 0
8/21/2011 DC @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 0 2 2 0 0 0
8/17/2011 POR @ KC W 1-3 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
8/6/2011 SEA @ KC L 2-1 Started 90 0 2 5 3 0 0 0
8/3/2011 RSL @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
7/30/2011 NE @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 3 2 0 0 0
7/23/2011 TOR @ KC W 2-4 Started 90 0 2 5 3 0 0 0
7/16/2011 KC @ HOU T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
7/9/2011 CHV @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 5 4 0 0 0
7/6/2011 COL @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 3 2 0 0 0
7/2/2011 KC @ POR W 2-1 Started 90 0 1 3 2 0 0 0
6/25/2011 VAN @ KC W 1-2 Started 90 0 1 3 2 0 0 0
6/22/2011 KC @ PHI T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 7 7 0 0 0
6/17/2011 SJ @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 0 4 4 0 0 0
6/12/2011 KC @ DAL W 4-1 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6/9/2011 CHI @ KC T 0-0 Started 67 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
6/4/2011 KC @ TOR T 0-0 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5/28/2011 KC @ COL T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
5/21/2011 KC @ SEA L 0-1 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
5/14/2011 KC @ LA L 1-4 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/30/2011 KC @ NY L 0-1 Started 90 0 1 7 6 1 0 1
4/23/2011 KC @ NE L 2-3 Started 90 0 3 3 0 0 0 0
4/16/2011 KC @ CLB L 0-1 Started 90 0 1 4 3 0 0 0
4/2/2011 KC @ VAN T 3-3 Started 90 0 3 9 6 0 0 0
3/26/2011 KC @ CHI L 2-3 Started 90 0 3 7 4 1 1 0
3/19/2011 KC @ CHV W 3-2 Started 90 0 2 5 3 0 0 0
10/23/2010 SJ @ KC W 1-4 Unused Sub 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10/16/2010 KC @ NE L 0-1 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
10/12/2010 KC @ CHI W 2-0 Started 90 0 0 2 2 0 0 0
10/9/2010 SEA @ KC L 2-1 Started 90 0 2 3 1 0 0 0
10/2/2010 KC @ NY L 0-1 Started 90 0 1 5 4 0 0 0
9/25/2010 DAL @ KC L 3-1 Started 90 0 3 4 1 0 0 0
9/22/2010 HOU @ KC W 3-4 Started 90 0 3 5 2 0 0 0
9/19/2010 KC @ CHV W 2-0 Started 90 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
9/4/2010 KC @ PHI T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 6 5 0 0 0
8/28/2010 KC @ LA W 2-0 Started 90 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
8/21/2010 NE @ KC W 1-4 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
8/14/2010 KC @ SJ L 0-1 Started 90 0 1 4 3 0 0 0
8/7/2010 RSL @ KC T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 4 3 0 0 0
7/31/2010 TOR @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 0 2 2 0 0 0
7/17/2010 KC @ COL T 1-1 Started 90 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
7/14/2010 KC @ CLB W 1-0 Started 90 0 0 7 7 0 0 0
7/10/2010 CHV @ KC L 2-0 Started 90 0 2 6 4 0 0 0
7/3/2010 KC @ DAL L 0-1 Started 90 0 1 8 7 1 1 0
6/26/2010 NY @ KC L 3-0 Started 90 0 3 6 3 0 0 0
6/10/2010 PHI @ KC W 0-2 Started 90 0 0 2 2 0 0 0
6/5/2010 KC @ TOR T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
5/29/2010 KC @ RSL L 1-4 Started 90 0 4 7 3 0 0 0
5/23/2010 CLB @ KC L 1-0 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
5/15/2010 CHI @ KC T 2-2 Started 90 0 2 6 4 0 0 0
5/5/2010 KC @ DC L 1-2 Started 90 0 2 4 2 0 0 0
5/1/2010 KC @ HOU L 0-3 Started 90 0 3 6 3 0 0 0
4/24/2010 LA @ KC T 0-0 Started 90 0 0 5 5 0 0 0
4/17/2010 KC @ SEA L 0-1 Started 90 0 1 2 1 0 0 0
4/10/2010 COL @ KC W 0-1 Started 90 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
3/27/2010 DC @ KC W 0-4 Started 90 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
GP: Games Played, GS: Games Started, G: Goals, MIN: Minutes Played, A: Assists, SHT: Shots, SOG: Shots on Goal, FC: Fouls Committed, OFF: Offsides, Y: Yellow Cards, R: Red Cards, GF: Goals For, GA: Goals Against, SO: Shutouts, SV: Saves, PKA: Penalty Kick Attempts, PKG: Penalty Kick Goals, PKS: Penalty Kick Saves