Zarek Valentin
Encyclopedia
Zarek Valentin is an American
soccer player currently playing for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer
.
before enrolling at the University of Akron
in 2009. He started all 25 games for the Zips in his freshman year, and was off the field for only 11 minutes. He was a key contributor in defense and allowed just seven goals all season, helping them finish with a (23-1-0) season until ultimately losing in penalties during the NCAA National Championship in 2009. During just his first year in Ohio, amongst many recognitions, he was named Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year, College Soccer News All-Freshman First Team, All-MAC First Team, University of Akron All-Tournament Team Defensive MVP (Sept. 18-20), and made the College Soccer News Freshman Top 100 list.
In his 2010 season at the University of Akron
, Valentin helped lead his team to the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship. As an important part of the defense, Valentin let in only 16 goals over the entire season. They ultimately won the National Championship.
During his college years Valentin also played with Reading Rage
and the Michigan Bucks
in the USL Premier Development League
.
by Chivas USA. He made his professional debut on March 19, 2011, in Chivas's first game of the 2011 MLS Season, a 3-2 loss to Sporting Kansas City.
Valentin was left exposed by Chivas USA in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft
and was selected by expansion side Montreal Impact.
. Valentin was a valuable part of the 2010 Milk Cup
winning squad. He assisted the final goal in their 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland in the final.
, who recently retired from the MLS (LA Galaxy) and FC Tampa Bay. In 2010 Zarek was featured in The New York Times Magazine
as one of eleven Next-Gen American Soccer players. Valentin speaks fluent spanish, and is of Puerto Rican descent.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player currently playing for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
College and Amateur
Valentin attended Manheim Township High SchoolManheim Township High School
Manheim Township High School is a four-year public high school located in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It is the only high school in the Manheim Township School District. The school is known for its Quiz Bowl team, which won a national championship in 2000 and for its...
before enrolling at the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
in 2009. He started all 25 games for the Zips in his freshman year, and was off the field for only 11 minutes. He was a key contributor in defense and allowed just seven goals all season, helping them finish with a (23-1-0) season until ultimately losing in penalties during the NCAA National Championship in 2009. During just his first year in Ohio, amongst many recognitions, he was named Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year, College Soccer News All-Freshman First Team, All-MAC First Team, University of Akron All-Tournament Team Defensive MVP (Sept. 18-20), and made the College Soccer News Freshman Top 100 list.
In his 2010 season at the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
, Valentin helped lead his team to the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship. As an important part of the defense, Valentin let in only 16 goals over the entire season. They ultimately won the National Championship.
During his college years Valentin also played with Reading Rage
Reading Rage
Reading United A.C. is an American soccer team based in Reading, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference....
and the Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks is an American soccer team based in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
in 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...
.
Professional
Valentin was drafted in the first round, fourth overall, of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft2011 MLS SuperDraft
The 2011 MLS SuperDraft was the twelfth annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 13, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland, during the 2011 NSCAA Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center. The 2011 SuperDraft consisted of three rounds with eighteen selections each, for...
by Chivas USA. He made his professional debut on March 19, 2011, in Chivas's first game of the 2011 MLS Season, a 3-2 loss to Sporting Kansas City.
Valentin was left exposed by Chivas USA in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft
2011 MLS Expansion Draft
The 2011 MLS Expansion Draft was held on November 23, 2011 as a special draft for the Major League Soccer expansion team Montreal Impact.-Format:* Existing teams were allowed to protect 11 players from their rosters...
and was selected by expansion side Montreal Impact.
International
Valentin has been a member of various US Youth National teams, including the U-20s, U-18s, U-17 and U-15s. He currently has 29 caps for the United States U-20 men's national soccer teamUnited States U-20 men's national soccer team
The United States U-20 men's national soccer team is the national under-20 soccer team of the United States of America and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation. The highest level of competition in which the team competes is the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years.The...
. Valentin was a valuable part of the 2010 Milk Cup
Milk Cup
The Milk Cup is an international youth football tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. The cup matches are mainly played in the North Coast area of Northern Ireland, with matches taking place in the towns of Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballymena and...
winning squad. He assisted the final goal in their 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland in the final.
Personal
Zarek is the younger brother of fellow soccer player Julian ValentinJulian Valentin
Julian Valentin is a retired American soccer player.-College and Amateur:At Wake Forest University, Valentin started over 70 games for the Deacons, and during his time in North Carolina, amongst many recognitions, was named a Soccer America Preseason All-American, was included in the NSCAA First...
, who recently retired from the MLS (LA Galaxy) and FC Tampa Bay. In 2010 Zarek was featured in The New York Times Magazine
The New York Times Magazine
The New York Times Magazine is a Sunday magazine supplement included with the Sunday edition of The New York Times. It is host to feature articles longer than those typically in the newspaper and has attracted many notable contributors...
as one of eleven Next-Gen American Soccer players. Valentin speaks fluent spanish, and is of Puerto Rican descent.
University of Akron
- NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship (1): 20102010 NCAA Men's Division I Soccer TournamentThe 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship was a tournament of 48 collegiate soccer teams who played for the NCAA Championship in soccer. The semifinals and final were held at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, California. All the other games were played at the home field of the higher seeded...