| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Diego Alejandro Restrepo Garcia | ||
| Date of birth | February 25, 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Merida, Venezuela | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | América de Cali | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| 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) |
| 2011– | Deportivo Táchira | 0 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2005 | United States U17 | 11 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of April 15, 2011. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Diego Restrepo (born February 25, 1988 in Merida, Venezuela), is an American soccer goalkeeper[2] who currently plays professionally for Deportivo Táchira.
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Restrepo lived in Colombia until he was 13 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 his team's starting goalkeeper for Virginia, with whom he won the ACC Championship and the NCAA National Championship in 2009.[3] 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).[4] He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the ACC Tournament[5] and Defensive Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Tournament.[6]
During his college years Restrepo also played for the Bradenton Academics in the USL Premier Development League.[7][8]
In January 2011, Restrepo signed a professional contract with Colombian soccer club América de Cali.[9] He made his professional debut on Wednesday, August 31 2011, in America's 1-1 tie vs. Pereira. [10]
After America were relegated, Restrepo moved to Venezuelan club Deportivo Táchira on December 30, 2011.[11]
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.[12] In 2005, he was a member of the USA U-17 World Cup squad that participated in the 2005 Youth World Cup in Peru.[13] He has also been a member of the USA U-20 National Team.[14]