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	Charlotte Independence
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)
2012	Deportivo Táchira	8	(0)
2013–2014	Tampa Bay Rowdies	26	(0)
2015–	Charlotte Independence	0	(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 5 July 2013. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of January 7, 2012

Diego Restrepo (born February 25, 1988 in Merida, Venezuela), is an American soccer goalkeeper who currently plays for Charlotte Independence.

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 his 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]

After America were relegated, Restrepo moved to Venezuelan club Deportivo Táchira on December 30, 2011.^[10]

On March 20, 2013 the Tampa Bay Rowdies announced that Restrepo had signed a two-year contract with the club. Has 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. ^[11]

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.^[12]

Restrepo signed with USL club Charlotte Independence on February 24, 2015.^[13]

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.^[14] In 2005, he was a member of the USA U-17 World Cup squad that participated in the 2005 Youth World Cup in Peru.^[15] He has also been a member of the USA U-20 National Team.^[16]

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