Peterson is a 12-year MLS veteran with 256 career appearances and 148 starts. He scored three goals in 10 appearances in his first season in Atlanta despite battling injuries for a large stretch of the season. He joined Atlanta United after spending the previous five seasons with Sporting Kansas City, where he registered 13 goals and seven assists in 108 appearances. Designated as a midfielder, Peterson can be deployed in a multitude of positions including attacking midfielder and winger.
Peterson has enjoyed a long career in MLS including stops with Sporting KC (2012-16), San Jose Earthquakes (2011), Toronto FC (2010-11) and Colorado Rapids (2006-09). Only twice in his 11-year career has Peterson appeared in less than 20 matches. His most recent run with SKC was one of the most successful stretches in club history, reaching the playoffs in all five seasons with Peterson on the team, including pinnacle moments such as winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice, in 2012 and 2015, and an MLS Cup in 2013.
2017 (Atlanta United): Scored three goals in 10 appearances and one start, including the game-tying goal at his former club Sporting KC in a 1-1 draw on Aug. 6. MLS Cup Playoffs: Came on as a substitute for six minutes against Columbus on Oct. 26.
2016 (Sporting Kansas City): Peterson started 18 of 21 appearances, recording a career-high six goals and one assist. He came off the bench in the 69th minute to record an assist and score the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Orlando City SC (May 15), becoming the fourth player in Sporting KC history to notch a goal and an assist as a substitute. Peterson scored a spectacular goal in a 3-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC (July 24), which was named Sporting KC's Goal of the Year. He scored the game-winning goals in a 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers (July 31), in a 2-0 victory over Vancouver (Aug. 20). Peterson scored a goal in a 3-3 draw against Houston (Sept. 9) and became the third player in Sporting KC history to score in four-straight regular season home games. He continued that streak when he scored a goal in a 2-2 draw against LA Galaxy (Sept. 18), becoming the second player in club history to score in five-straight home regular season games. Open Cup: Peterson started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 extra time win over Minnesota United FC (June 15). MLS Cup Playoffs: Peterson was a second-half substitute in a 1-0 knockout round loss at Seattle Sounders FC (Oct. 27).
2015 (Sporting Kansas City): Peterson started 15 of 26 appearances, recording one goal and two assists. He scored the final goal in a 3-1 win at Toronto FC (Aug. 8), his first goal since July 26, 2014, when he also scored at BMO Field against his former club. He assisted in a Krisztian Nemeth goal in a 4-2 win over New England (May 20). Peterson’s second assist set up Dom Dwyer’s game-tying goal in the 79th minute of a 1-1 draw with Seattle (Sept. 27). MLS Playoffs: Peterson played 10 minutes as an extra-time substitute in Sporting KC's 7-6 penalty kick shootout loss at Portland (Oct. 29) after a 2-2 draw through regulation. He converted his penalty kick in the shootout. Open Cup: He started two of five appearances and recorded one assist. He started and played 50 minutes in a 6-2, fifth round win over FC Dallas (July 1), assisting Nemeth's first goal in the match. He also played eight minutes as an extra time substitute in a championship win over the Philadelphia Union (Sept. 30), as Sporting KC prevailed 7-6 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in regulation.
2014 (Sporting Kansas City): Peterson had two goals and two assists in 22 appearances, 13 of them starts. He scored his first goal of the season, a game-winner, in a 2-0 win over Columbus (May 4). Peterson assisted Benny Feilhaber's game-winning goal in extra time in a 2-1 win over Columbus (July 16). He made his 200th MLS appearance (including postseason) in a 2-1 win over LA Galaxy on July 19. Peterson scored the game-winner as a substitute in the 80th minute in a 2-1 win at Toronto (July 26). He showcased his versatility throughout the season, starting in defense, midfield and attack on the left side. MLS Playoffs: Peterson played nine minutes as a substitute in a 2-1 loss at New York in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round (Oct. 30). CONCACAF Champions League: Peterson played in both legs of the 2013-14 CCL quarterfinals vs. Cruz Azul, playing 90 minutes in the second leg (March 19). He made one substitute appearance (45 minutes) in the 2014-15 group stage. Open Cup: Peterson played 90 minutes at right back in a 2-0 fourth round win over Minnesota United FC (June 18). He played 30 minutes in a 3-1 fifth round loss to Portland (June 24).
2013 (Sporting Kansas City): Appeared in 16 games, 10 starts, in his second season with Sporting KC. Peterson made his first appearance of the season on April 27 against the Portland Timbers after undergoing shoulder surgery during the offseason. He assisted on Kei Kamara's game-tying goal in a 1-1 tie against Houston Dynamo (May 26). MLS Playoffs: Peterson appeared in three matches. He started the first leg of the Conference Semifinal series vs. New England (Nov. 2) and the first leg of the Conference Championship series vs. Houston (Nov. 9). Peterson came on as a sub in the second leg of the Conference Championship vs. Houston. CONCACAF Champions League: Made three appearances, two starts, in the 2013-14 CCL group stage. Scored the game-tying goal off a short corner kick in a 1-1 draw against Real Esteli (Sept. 17). Open Cup: Appeared in two matches, tallying an assist in a 2-0 win over Des Moines (May 29).
2012 (Sporting Kansas City): Peterson signed with Sporting KC ahead of the 2012 season and played in 23 matches during the regular season. Peterson’s first point with Sporting KC came in the form of a game-winning assist against Toronto FC (June 16). It was his only assist of the season. Peterson notched four goals during the 2012 MLS regular season. His first goal came against Seattle (June 20) to take a 1-0 lead. He scored in Sporting KC's 3-1 victory over Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium (July 4) before earning the game-winner in a 2-0 victory at Columbus Crew Stadium (July 14). Peterson’s final goal came in the season finale in a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union (Oct. 24). He earned AT&T Goal of the Week honors of week 33 for the strike. MLS Playoffs: Peterson started and played in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals (Nov. 4), which ended in a 2-0 loss to Houston. Kansas City lost 2-1 on aggregate. Open Cup: Peterson played in four of SKC’s five Open Cup matches. He tallied the second goal in Sporting's 2-0 win over Philadelphia Union in the semifinals (July 11). In the finals, SKC defeated the Seattle Sounders 1-1 (3-2) in a shootout (Aug. 8) to claim the club’s second Open Cup title.
2011 (San Jose Earthquakes): Peterson joined San Jose after playing the first half of the season with Toronto. He made his Earthquakes debut at Columbus Crew on July 16. In his second game with San Jose, Peterson recorded an assist on a Chris Wondolowski goal which gave his side a 2-1 lead over Vancouver Whitecaps (July 20) in a match that ended 2-2. His second assist set up another Wondolowski goal, an equalizer in the 87th minute against his former club Toronto (Aug. 27) in a 1-1 draw. Peterson ended the 2011 campaign with a total of 22 appearances, 18 starts and three assists.
2011 (Toronto FC): Peterson started the first 11 games of the season for Toronto, registering one assist during the stretch. He started and played in 13 matches before being traded to San Jose Earthquakes in July.
2010 (Toronto FC): Peterson was traded to Toronto FC and featured in 24 matches, 15 starts, in his first season with his new club. He scored his first goal for Toronto against Columbus Crew SC (Oct. 16) in the 38th minute to take the lead 2-1. The game ended 2-2. Peterson recorded two assists for the year, both of which lead to game-winning goals. He assisted the game-winning goal against Chivas USA (Aug. 7) in a 2-1 win for Toronto and again at D.C. United (Oct. 23) in the 65th minute for a 3-2 win. CONCACAF Champions League: Peterson played in six matches, starting four. He scored in a group stage match against Real Salt Lake (Sept. 28) to take a 1-0 lead. The game ended 1-1. Toronto finished third in Group A and did not advance to the Championship Round.
2009 (Colorado Rapids): In his final season in Colorado, Peterson played in 23 matches with 12 starts, netted two goals while recording two assists. His first goal came against Chicago Fire (July 4) in a 2-1 defeat. Peterson’s second goal of the year was the opening goal in a 4-0 win against New York Red Bulls (July 25). He assisted the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Toronto FC (Sept. 5). Peterson appeared in 92 league matches for the Rapids, recording eight goals and five assists over four seasons.
2008 (Colorado Rapids): Peterson saw less action in his third season, playing in 17 matches with 10 starts. He scored one goal against D.C. United (May 4), the opening goal in a 2-0 win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
2007 (Colorado Rapids): Peterson played in 24 matches and started 10 during league play. He scored once, the opening goal against D.C. United (June 28) in a 4-1 loss.
2006 (Colorado Rapids): Drafted No. 21 overall by the Colorado Rapids in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, Peterson appeared in 28 games his rookie season, starting 17. He made his MLS debut against Columbus Crew SC on April 8, entering as a substitute and playing 22 minutes. Peterson recorded 11 points on the year with four goals and three assists. All of his goals either took the lead or tied the game. Peterson’s first MLS goal was a game-winner against Los Angeles Galaxy in a 1-0 victory on May 20. Open Cup: In his first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match, Peterson entered as a substitute to start the second half against Real Salt Lake in the fourth round matchup (Aug. 2), and scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory which sent the Rapids into the quarterfinals. Peterson entered as a substitute in the quarterfinals match against LA Galaxy (Aug. 23) when Colorado lost 3-1. MLS Playoffs: Peterson played in all three of Colorado’s playoff matches, starting two, and the Rapids advanced to the Western Conference Finals where they fell to Houston 3-1.
INTERNATIONAL: Peterson was a member of the United States Under-17 Men’s National Team that advanced to the round of 16 at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championships in Finland. Later earned a place on the United States Under-20 Men’s National Team roster for the 2005 World Youth Cup in Holland, where he featured in all four matches for the U.S. and scored the game-winning goal in the final match of the group stage against Egypt. Also traveled to Japan with the US U-23 National Team for two games in 2007.
COLLEGE: Won two National Championships with Indiana University in 2003 and 2004. As a freshman in 2003, Peterson scored the championship-winning goal against St. John’s to earn offensive MVP honors at the College Cup. In 2004, Peterson scored the opening goal of the College Cup final against UC-Santa Barbara as Indiana went on to win the title in penalty kicks...Semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy award while at Indiana.
