Rafael Diaz (footballer)

Rafael Diaz

Personal information
Full name	Rafael Alejandro Diaz, Jr.
Date of birth	October 8, 1991
Place of birth	Inconnue, Dominican Republic
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team	New York Red Bulls II
Number	74
Youth career
2010–2013	St. John's Red Storm
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2012	Jersey Express	11	(0)
2014	Orlando City	0	(0)
2015–	New York Red Bulls II	9	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of April 22, 2016. † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of January 19, 2014

Rafael Diaz (born 8 October 1991) is a Dominican professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the New York Red Bulls II in United Soccer League.

Career

Youth and college

Diaz played club soccer for PDA in New Jersey. Diaz also played college soccer for St. John’s University from 2010 to 2013. While with the Red Storm he was a four-year starter and made 72 appearances and recorded a school record 32 shutouts. ^[1]

During his college career Diaz also played with USL PDL side Jersey Express S.C., making 11 appearances as a starter during the 2012 season . ^[2]

Professional

Coming out of St. John's Diaz was considered one of top Goalkeeper prospects in the country.^[3] On March 20, 2014 Diaz signed his first professional contract with USL Pro side Orlando City SC. ^[4] Diaz made his first team debut with Orlando on May 14, 2014 coming on as a late game substitute for Carl Woszczynski in a 4-1 U.S. Open Cup victory over Ocala Stampede. ^[5]

Diaz went on trial with Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls during the 2015 preseason. ^[6] He caught the attention of the club and signed with New York Red Bulls II for the 2015 season and made the game day roster for the side in its first ever match on March 28, 2015 which ended in a 0-0 draw with Rochester Rhinos.^[7] On April 12, 2015 he made his debut with the club coming on as a late game substitute in a match against Wilmington Hammerheads FC.^[8] On April 18, 2015 Diaz made his debut as a starter for New York Red Bulls II in a 1-1 draw against the Charleston Battery.^[9]

On April 17, 2016 Diaz made his season debut for New York in a scoreless draw against the defending league champion Rochester Rhinos.^[10] His performance that day earned him USL Team of the Week honors. ^[11]

Career statistics

As of 22 April 2016

Club	Season	League		Playoffs		US Open Cup		CONCACAF		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
New York Red Bulls II	2015	6	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	7	0
	2016	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Career total		9	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	10	0

References

1. "Rafael Diaz St. John’s Red Storm". redstormsports.com.
2. "Rafael Diaz Jersey Express stats". uslpdl.com.
3. "Diaz signs with Orlando City SC". Rafael Diaz MLS.
4. "Diaz signs with Orlando City SC". redstormsports.com. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
5. "Lions take down Ocala Stampede 4-1". thecitybeautifulgame.com. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
6. "Red Bulls release 2015 preseason roster". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
7. "Red Bulls II 0 Rochester Rhinos 0". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
8. "Red Bulls II fall to Hammerheads". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
9. "Abang's equalizer gives NYRB II gutsy road point at Blackbaud". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
10. "MATCH RECAP: New York Red Bulls II 0, Rochester Rhinos 0". newyorkredbulls.com. 17 April 2016.
11. "Rafael Diaz named to USL Team of the Week". newyorkredbulls.com. 19 April 2016.

External links

• redstormsports.com player profile
• Footballdatabase.eu profile
• MLS player profile
• newyorkredbulls.com