Arizona United Arizona United Soccer Club Signs Rob Valentino

Arizona Native Agrees To Multi-Year Deal

PEORIA, Ariz. (Thursday, December 4, 2014) – Rob Valentino, Orlando City SC’s captain for the past three years, is coming home signing a multi-year deal with Arizona United Soccer Club, the team announces today.

Valentino becomes the sixth player under contract with Arizona United SC for the 2015 season.

“Rob’s impact is not only felt on the field, but off the field as well,” said Arizona United SC General Manager Kevin Stevenson. “You can describe Rob with one word: winner. He won five USL PRO trophies in four years at Orlando. His leadership off the field was another key component for us. He was a fan-favorite in Orlando and was captain for three years. He helped build Orlando into what is regarded as the most successful club in USL PRO history. We expect the same for Rob here in Arizona and welcome him back home with open arms.”

The Pinnacle High School graduate joins Arizona United SC after scoring nine goals in 77 regular-season appearances for Orlando City SC from 2011-2014. During his four-year stay in Orlando, Valentino guided Orlando City SC to two USL PRO Championship victories (2011, 2013), three USL PRO Regular Season titles (2011-12, 2014), and the best record through 100 matches for any U.S. professional soccer team. Valentino was named to the USL PRO All-League First Team in his first three seasons with Orlando City SC. Following his 2011 Defensive Player of the Year award, Valentino was named captain ahead of the 2012 season and retained the role until the end of the 2014 season.

“I talked to Kevin and coach Dellorusso about the direction of the club and even talked to owner Kyle Eng just a little bit about where they think the club is going in the next couple of years with growth, and we all think it can be something huge here,” said Rob Valentino. “I grew up here, I’ve seen what the youth soccer scene is like, and I know a good professional team could do very well here. That is why I was excited to come home. It will be awesome to help the game grow here in Arizona. This organization is doing it the right way.”

Following his collegiate career at the University of San Francisco from 2004-07, Valentino signed a Generation Adidas contract and was drafted by Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution with the 13th overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. He appeared in three U.S. Open Cup matches and made one CONCACAF Champions League appearance for the Revolution before he was traded to the Colorado Rapids in 2009. Valentino was released prior to the 2010 MLS season and signed with FC Tampa Bay of the USSF Division 2 Professional League, where he made 27 appearances.

For more information on Arizona United Soccer Club, follow the team on Facebook www.facebook.com/ArizonaUnitedSoccer, Twitter @AZUnitedSC or Instagram @AZUnitedSC. To purchase tickets visit www.arizonaunited.com or by calling 623-594-9606.

Arizona United Soccer Club’s roster currently stands at six players under contract for the 2015 season:

GOALKEEPER: Carl Woszczynski

DEFENDER: Scott Morrison, Rob Valentino

MIDFIELDER: Jose “Chiva” Cuevas

FORWARD: Long Tan, Brad Stisser

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Full Name: Rob Valentino

Date of Birth: December 21st, 1985

Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.

Former Club: Orlando City SC

Height: 6-3

Weight: 190

Country: USA