Dave van den Bergh is a former Dutch footballer and coach.
Career
Europe
A product of the famed AFC Ajaxyouth program, Van den Bergh played for Ajax from 1995 to 1997, winning one league title during that time and reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. Between 1997 and 2000, he played for Rayo Vallecano in Spain, helping the team get promoted to the Primera División, and earning their first UEFA Cup qualification. Between 2000 and 2006, he played for Utrecht in the Netherlands, contributing 29 league goals over that span and helped the team earn five straight UEFA Cup appearances. He was a member of the Utrecht squad that won the Dutch Cup in 2003 and 2004, scoring the only goal in the 2004 final. Also in 2004, he won the Dutch Super Cup, ranking him among the most successful Utrecht players.
United States
In June 2006, Van den Bergh was signed by the Kansas City Wizards, for whom he scored three goals in thirteen appearances. Prior to the 2007 MLS season, he was traded to New York Red Bulls in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. During the 2007 season, Van den Bergh obtained a U.S. Green Card, meaning that he was now considered a domestic player instead of a senior international. He quickly established himself as the team's starting left winger, and also moved to the left back position. He ended his first season with the club appearing in 29 league matches, including 26 starts. He tallied 2 goals and led the club with 8 assists. In 2008 Van den Bergh continued his fine play with New York appearing in 26 league matches recording 7 goals and 5 assists. He scored the most important goal in club history in the Western Conference Final leading New York to a 1–0 victory over Real Salt Lake and a berth in the 2008 MLS Cup. New York traded Van den Bergh to FC Dallas on January 12, 2009 for forward Dominic Oduro and FC Dallas's second-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. As part of the trade, the two teams also exchanged 2009 MLS SuperDraft first-round picks; New York received FC Dallas's #11 selection while FC Dallas took New York's slot at #14. In 2009 Van den Bergh had another impressive season appearing in all 30 regular season matches for Dallas recording 3 goals and 11 assists. The 2010 MLS season showed Van den Bergh to be a man without a team. In spite of what many would argue was a career campaign in 2009 for the crafty veteran left winger, FC Dallas waived Van den Bergh prior to the start of the 2010 season after he reportedly questioned coach Schellas Hyndman's coaching style. However FC Dallas maintained his rights in MLS and apparently the club made it very difficult for Van den Bergh to move to a new team. “I have not talked with anyone or an MLS team. I’m unemployed. I’m open to playing for certain teams, not any team”.
International
Van den Bergh has been capped by the Netherlands on two occasions, both coming in 2004 when he was with Utrecht. He made his international debut on October 18 of that year in a 2–2 draw against Sweden. He also represented his country at the 1995 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
