Soccer Player

Michael Chabala was born and raised in Fresno, California. His passion for soccer was undeniable as a child. Life as he knew it changed when an international scout from Austria approached his parents at a soccer tournament in San Diego. At the fresh age of eight, Mike was recruited to attend the youth academy in Austria and he gladly made the move. While living in Europe off and on for two years without his family, he developed the skills and hunger to drive him to the next level. Playing for youth national and club teams through high school, he positioned himself as the 17th most recruited collegiate soccer player in the country.

Mike’s youth soccer career was powered by determination to prove others wrong and fueled by the desire to play professionally so that his grandparents and family could watch him on TV. He caught the eyes of the University of Washington, who was a top-five team in the country, and was offered a full scholarship. After playing four seasons at the University of Washington and serving as captain for three of them, he graduated early with a degree in economics, receiving all-American honors and academic All-American honors. In 2006, he left the university and entered the Major League Soccer draft.

Mike was drafted as the 44th pick overall in the 2006 Major League Soccer super draft to the Houston Dynamo. He won two MLS Cup championships in his first two seasons as a professional soccer player and was the top assistance for the reserve team in 2006 and 2007. Finally making his first appearance in 2009, he went on to score two goals in his career and play over 75 MLS matches in eight seasons for the Houston Dynamo, Portland Timbers and DC United.

Mike was known for his fitness, leadership and professional demeanor on the field and is now known for his philanthropic an entrepreneurial spirit off the field. His goals of winning MLS championships and playing for his country still breathe life into his being, but building an empire and using his unparalleled experience to transition into the business world has captured his heart.

To find out more about Mike's entrepreneurial achievements, click here.