Diego Restrepo

Diego Restrepo

Personal information
Full name	Diego Alejandro Restrepo Garcia
Date of birth	(1988-02-25) February 25, 1988
Place of birth	Merida, Venezuela
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team	Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Youth career
2005	IMG Soccer Academy
2006–2008	South Florida Bulls
2009–2010	Virginia Cavaliers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2008	Bradenton Academics	21	(0)
2011	América de Cali	4	(0)
2012	Deportivo Táchira	8	(0)
2013–2014	Tampa Bay Rowdies	26	(0)
2015	Charlotte Independence	1	(0)
2015	Metropolitanos	12	(0)
National team‡
2005	United States U17	11	(0)
2007	United States U20	3	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 July 2016. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of January 7, 2012

Diego Alejandro Restrepo Garcia (born February 25, 1988), is an American soccer goalkeeper who currently plays for Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Career

College and amateur

Restrepo lived in Colombia until he was 11 before moving to West Palm Beach, Florida with his family. He attended American Heritage School, and spent time at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Florida, before going on to play three years of college soccer at the University of South Florida. He transferred to the University of Virginia prior to his junior year, and quickly installed himself as the team's starting goalkeeper for Virginia, with whom he won the ACC Championship and the NCAA National Championship in 2009.^[2] During his championship season, Restrepo broke school records previously held by Tony Meola for games played (25), minutes played (2348), shutouts (16), consecutive shutouts (11) and consecutive scoreless minutes (1176).^[3] He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the ACC Tournament^[4] and Defensive Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Tournament.^[5]

During his college years Restrepo also played for the Bradenton Academics in the USL Premier Development League.^[6][7]

Professional

In January 2011, Restrepo signed a professional contract with Colombian soccer club América de Cali.^[8] He made his professional debut on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, in America's 1-1 tie vs. Pereira.^[9]

Restrepo moved to Venezuelan club Deportivo Táchira on December 30, 2011.^[10] He played 8 competitive matches for Tachira, 4 in the Venezuelan Cup, and 4 in the Venezuelan First Division. He finished the season as Tachira's starter.^[11]

On March 20, 2013 the Tampa Bay Rowdies announced that Restrepo had signed a two-year contract with the club. He excelled after being named the Rowdies starting goalkeeper, playing in 26 matches in all competitions. He was named the "NASL Player Of The Week" 3 times and to the "NASL Team Of the Week" 7 times in 2013.^[12]

During the Rowdies' 2014 preseason training, Restrepo tore his Achilles tendon and was sidelined for the entirety of the 2014 season. On November 6, Restrepo announced he would be moving on from Tampa Bay.^[13]

Restrepo signed with USL club Charlotte Independence on February 24, 2015.^[14] During his short stay with Charlotte, he played in 3 matches, 2 in the U.S. Open Cup and 1 in USL league play.^[15]

In June 2015, Restrepo is transferred to Metropolitanos FC, returning to the Venezuelan First Division.^[16] On August 1, 2015, Restrepo takes over the starting role at Metropolitanos, helping the team snap a 3 game losing streak.^[17] Restrepo stays as Metropolitanos starting goalkeeper, making 16 starts in all competitions, including 12 league starts.^[18]

Restrepo joined NASL side Fort Lauderdale Strikers on December 31, 2015.^[19] He helped the Strikers earn their first win of the season, on the road in his club debut on May 7, 2016, 3-1 vs. the league leading Carolina Railhawks.^[20] The following week, he cements his starting role with his first shutout of the season, in a 0-0 draw vs. the Indy Eleven.^[21]He is now part of Tampa Bay Rowdies. Later, he played a game against his old team. The Rowdies won 3-1.

International

Despite being born in Venezuela, Restrepo has represented the United States at youth level. He is a graduate of the USA U-17 Residency Program.^[22] In 2005, he was a member of the USA U-17 World Cup squad that participated in the 2005 Youth World Cup in Peru.^[23] He has also been a member of the USA U-20 National Team.^[24]

Honors

University of Virginia

• NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship (1): 2009

América de Cali

• Copa Cafam (1): 2011

References

External links

• University of Virginia Bio
• Announcement of contract signing with America de Cali