Rob Valentino
Encyclopedia
Rob Valentino is an American
soccer player who currently plays for Orlando City in the USL Professional Division.
, and began his soccer career playing youth soccer for the local Mustang Club. In 1999, his family moved to Arizona where he played for the 1986 Sereno Golden Eagles with coach Harry Demos. Valentino was recruited out of high school, and chose to attend the University of San Francisco
. Valentino was captain all four years at USF, where he was the WCC Defensive Player of the Year his sophomore season. He also earned WCC Player of the Year honors his junior season.
In addition to playing collegiate soccer, Valentino spent the 2007 season with the San Jose Frogs
of the USL Premier Development League
. However, he injured his left knee and was set to red-shirt the season, but ultimately decided to sign a generation Adidas
contract.
by New England Revolution
. He made his full professional debut for Revolution on 1 July 2008, in a US Open Cup third round game against Richmond Kickers
, and was traded to Colorado Rapids
in exchange for Nico Colaluca
on May 6, 2009. Valentino was released before the 2010 season without ever making an MLS appearance.
He signed with FC Tampa Bay of the USSF Division 2 League in 2010, but was released at the end of the season. He later signed with new USL Pro
franchise Orlando City on March 31, 2011.; he scored his first career goal on April 16, 2011 in a 1-0 victory over the Charlotte Eagles
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for Orlando City in the USL Professional Division.
College and Amateur
Valentino grew up in Danville, CaliforniaDanville, California
The Town of Danville is located in the San Ramon Valley in Contra Costa County, California. It is one of the incorporated municipalities in California that uses "town" in its name instead of "city". The population was 42,039 in 2010. Danville is one of the wealthiest suburbs of Oakland and San...
, and began his soccer career playing youth soccer for the local Mustang Club. In 1999, his family moved to Arizona where he played for the 1986 Sereno Golden Eagles with coach Harry Demos. Valentino was recruited out of high school, and chose to attend the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
. Valentino was captain all four years at USF, where he was the WCC Defensive Player of the Year his sophomore season. He also earned WCC Player of the Year honors his junior season.
In addition to playing collegiate soccer, Valentino spent the 2007 season with the San Jose Frogs
San Jose Frogs
San Jose Frogs was an American soccer team based in San Jose, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played its...
of the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
. However, he injured his left knee and was set to red-shirt the season, but ultimately decided to sign a generation Adidas
Generation adidas
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry of American players into MLS...
contract.
Professional
Valentino was drafted in the first round, 13th overall, of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft2008 MLS SuperDraft
The 2008 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 18, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. It was the ninth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was made by the Kansas City Wizards, after acquiring the selection from the expansion San Jose Earthquakes...
by New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
. He made his full professional debut for Revolution on 1 July 2008, in a US Open Cup third round game against Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, and was traded to Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
in exchange for Nico Colaluca
Nico Colaluca
Nicolas "Nico" Colaluca is an American professional soccer player who currently plays for Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
on May 6, 2009. Valentino was released before the 2010 season without ever making an MLS appearance.
He signed with FC Tampa Bay of the USSF Division 2 League in 2010, but was released at the end of the season. He later signed with new USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
franchise Orlando City on March 31, 2011.; he scored his first career goal on April 16, 2011 in a 1-0 victory over the Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....