Barry Rice is a former American soccer player best known for his collegiate career with the Kentucky Wildcats and his 2010 spell with Major League Soccer club D.C. United. A defender from Northeast Ohio, Rice earned significant recognition at both the high school and college levels before entering professional soccer.

Rice was a two-time Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year at the University of Kentucky. He also received multiple All-America honors and later joined D.C. United after participating in the club’s preseason program.

Although older player profiles continue to associate him with Akron Summit Assault, more recent biographical information describes his playing career in the past tense. After returning to Cleveland, Rice became involved in coaching and financial advising.

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Profile Summary

Official historical listings differ slightly on Rice’s height. The University of Kentucky listed him at 5 feet 11 inches, while D.C. United listed him at 5 feet 10 inches. He is commonly reported as approximately 1.80 metres tall.

Early Life and Background

Barry LaShawn Rice Jr. was born on September 23, 1987, in Euclid, Ohio. He attended schools in the Parma area and developed his soccer ability through club competition before enrolling at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland.

Rice was the only freshman selected for the Saint Ignatius varsity soccer team in the fall of 2002. He initially made a notable offensive contribution, recording seven goals and four assists during his first season.

As a sophomore, he scored 11 goals and added three assists. His role changed during his junior year when he moved into defense. Saint Ignatius won the first state soccer championship in school history that season.

Rice became a senior tri-captain in 2005. He helped Saint Ignatius complete an undefeated 23–0 campaign, win a second consecutive state championship and secure recognition as a national champion.

His senior honors included All-American recognition, First Team All-Ohio selection and First Team All-Greater Cleveland selection. He shared the team’s most valuable player award with Mark Blades and Justin Morrow.

Career and Professional Journey

University of Kentucky Career

Rice enrolled at the University of Kentucky and played for the Kentucky Wildcats from 2006 through 2009. He established himself as a regular immediately, starting all 21 matches during his freshman season.

His first-year performance earned him places on the 2006 Conference USA All-Freshman Team and All-Tournament Team. Rice played mainly in defense, although he was also used in midfield.

He emerged as one of the conference’s leading defenders in 2007. Despite his defensive position, he led Kentucky with seven goals and 15 points. Six of those seven goals came from headers, demonstrating his value during set pieces and aerial situations.

Rice was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. He became the first Kentucky player to win the award in consecutive seasons.

During the 2008 campaign, Kentucky tracked Rice’s performance in contested aerial challenges. The university reported that he won 189 of 218 contested headers, an 87 percent success rate. He also started all 21 matches and received All-America recognition from College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.

Rice continued to receive national recognition during his senior season in 2009. By the end of his Kentucky career, he had played 78 matches and recorded 12 goals and seven assists. He also ranked among the program’s leaders in career appearances and game-winning goals.

Chicago Fire Premier

Historical player records list Rice as a member of Chicago Fire Premier in 2009. The team competed in the USL Premier Development League, which provided college players with a senior-level summer competition while allowing them to retain college eligibility.

This period helped bridge Rice’s successful Kentucky career and his later move into Major League Soccer.

D.C. United Career

D.C. United signed Rice in March 2010 after he participated in the club’s preseason training program. The club described him as an athletic defender with development potential.

His first-team role was limited. Historical MLS statistics record two league appearances for Rice during the 2010 season.

One of the most notable events of his time in Washington came outside regular league competition. Rice appeared when D.C. United defeated Italian club AC Milan 3–2 in a friendly at RFK Stadium in May 2010. The match attracted more than 30,000 spectators and included Brazilian star Ronaldinho in the Milan squad.

Rice’s tenure with D.C. United lasted one season. Although brief, it represented the highest competitive level of his playing career and followed four decorated years in college soccer.

Return to Ohio

Historical records associate Rice with Akron Summit Assault in 2011. However, the available statistics for this period are limited, and profiles that continue to describe the club as his current team rely on information last updated in 2011.

A 2024 Saint Ignatius account reported that Rice returned to Cleveland in 2011 and served as an assistant coach with the school’s varsity soccer program. The same account stated that he subsequently developed a career in financial advising with Edward Jones.

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Major Achievements and Recognition

Rice’s most substantial individual achievements came during his high school and college years.

At Saint Ignatius, he contributed to consecutive Ohio state championships. The 2005 team completed a perfect season and received national championship recognition. Rice was named an All-American and earned first-team state and regional honors.

His principal University of Kentucky honors included:

• Conference USA All-Freshman Team in 2006
• Conference USA All-Tournament Team in 2006
• Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008
• Multiple First Team All-Conference USA selections
• NSCAA All-Region recognition
• College Soccer News All-America recognition
• TopDrawerSoccer All-America recognition
• Additional All-America honors following his 2009 senior season

Rice was inducted into the Saint Ignatius Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024. The honor recognized his contribution to the school’s championship teams, his distinguished college career and his progression to professional soccer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Barry Rice?

Barry Rice is a former American soccer defender from Ohio. He played college soccer for the University of Kentucky and later signed with Major League Soccer club D.C. United. He was known for his athletic defending, leadership and strength in aerial challenges.

How old is Barry Rice?

Barry Rice was born on September 23, 1987. He is 38 years old as of June 2026 and will turn 39 in September 2026.

How tall is Barry Rice?

Rice is commonly listed at approximately 1.80 metres, or about 5 feet 11 inches. Historical official records vary slightly: Kentucky listed him at 5 feet 11 inches, while D.C. United listed him at 5 feet 10 inches.

Did Barry Rice play for D.C. United?

Yes. D.C. United signed Rice in March 2010 following a successful preseason. He made two recorded MLS regular-season appearances and also played in the club’s 3–2 friendly victory over AC Milan.

What honors did Barry Rice receive?

Rice was a two-time Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and received several All-Conference, All-Region and All-America honors at Kentucky. He was also an All-American at Saint Ignatius and entered the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024.

Conclusion

Barry Rice built a distinguished soccer career through sustained success at Saint Ignatius High School and the University of Kentucky. His defensive performances, aerial ability and leadership earned him consecutive Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year awards and multiple All-America selections.

He advanced to Major League Soccer with D.C. United in 2010 and later returned to Northeast Ohio. His 2024 induction into the Saint Ignatius Athletic Hall of Fame formally recognized a career that included high school championships, major college honors and professional soccer experience.