Shintaro Harada

Shintaro Harada (原田 慎太郎) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder or defender.

Japan
Shin played alongside Japanese national hero Shunsuke Nakamura, who also started his career at Yokohoma. 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.

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. He is nominated as 2010 USL Second Division Most Valuable Player.

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.

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, and featured also on Major League Soccer's expansion team Philadelphia Union's official website as a strong candidate for the club's tryout.

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. Before the USL Pro season started, Harada signed with Dayton Dutch Lions, 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. 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". On 23 June 2015, Harada made his 100th appearance in United Soccer League as the first Japanese in league history. 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.

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 profession

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