Abraham Rodriguez (soccer)

Abraham Rodriguez (born July 19, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Toronto FC II in MLS Next Pro.

Abraham Rodriguez
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-07-19) July 19, 2002 (age 21)
Place of birthThornton, Colorado, United States
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s)Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Toronto FC II
Number50
Youth career
2016–2020Colorado Rapids
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2019Colorado Springs Switchbacks16(0)
2020–2023Colorado Rapids2(0)
2020–2021Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan)11(0)
2022–2023Colorado Rapids 2 (loan)25(0)
2024–Toronto FC II1(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of March 17, 2024

Early life

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In 2016, Rodriguez joined the Colorado Rapids academy at U14 level.[2][3] Born in the United States, he is of Mexican descent and holds dual-citizenship.[4]

Club career

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Rodriguez began the 2019 season on a USL Academy contract with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, who were the Colorado Rapids' USL Championship affiliate.[5] Rodriguez made his professional debut on March 30, 2019, at 16 years old in a 2–2 draw against Phoenix Rising FC.[6] His performance earned him the league Player of the Week honors, becoming the second-youngest player ever to do so,[7][8] and also earned Save of the Week honors for his penalty kick save in the match.[9] Later in April, he was nominated for the league's Save of the Week honor.[10] In August 2019, he signed a professional USL contract with the Switchbacks.[11][12] At the end of the season, he was named #20 on the USL's 20 Under 20 list.[13]

After attending 2020 preseason with the Colorado Rapids first team,[14] on February 20, 2020, at age sixteen, Rodriguez signed a homegrown player contract with the club.[15][16] He was then subsequently loaned to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks the next day.[17][18] In March 2021, he was again loaned to the Switchbacks.[19] On June 25, 2022, he made his debut for the Rapids, coming on as a substitute for the injured William Yarbrough, in a match against the Portland Timbers, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to play in franchise history at 19 years, 341 days.[20] On October 21, 2023, he made his first Major League Soccer start in a match against Real Salt Lake.[21] During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he also spent time with the second team, Colorado Rapids 2, in MLS Next Pro making a combined 27 appearances.[22]

In March 2024, he signed with Toronto FC II in MLS Next Pro.[1][23] He made his debut for the club on March 17 in a match against Philadelphia Union II.[24]

Career statistics

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As of match played March 17, 2024[25]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Colorado Springs
Switchbacks
2019USL Championship16020180
Colorado Rapids2020Major League Soccer000000
2021000000
202210000010
202310000010
Total200000000020
Colorado Springs
Switchbacks
(loan)
2020USL Championship5050
2021600060
Total11000000000110
Colorado Rapids 2
(loan)
2022MLS Next Pro170170
20238020100
Total25020000000270
Toronto FC II2024MLS Next Pro100010
Career total55020000000570

References

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  1. ^ a b "Toronto FC II sign goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez". Toronto FC. March 7, 2024.
  2. ^ "Abraham Rodriguez's Rise has a Bright Future". Latin American Post. June 30, 2023.
  3. ^ Clark, Travis (February 21, 2020). "17-year-old GK signs with Colorado Rapids". TopDrawerSoccer.
  4. ^ "MLS transfers 2024: List of ins and outs at every team | Goal.com UK". www.goal.com. March 15, 2024.
  5. ^ "Switchbacks FC Sign Abraham Rodriguez to USL Championship Contract". USL Championship. August 8, 2019.
  6. ^ Benedetto, Vinny (April 5, 2019). "Colorado Springs Switchbacks teenage goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez ready for second start after starring in debut". The Gazette.
  7. ^ "Switchbacks FC 16-Year-Old Abraham Rodriguez Becomes The Second Youngest Player To Earn USL Championship Player of the Week". Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. April 2, 2019.
  8. ^ Mata, Danny (July 10, 2020). "Switchbacks teenage goalkeeper ready for action". KRDO-TV.
  9. ^ "Switchbacks FC Abraham Rodriguez Is Up For The USL Championship Save Of The Week!". Colorado Springs Switchbacks. April 2, 2020.
  10. ^ "Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez Is Up For Save of the Week!". Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. April 24, 2019.
  11. ^ "Switchbacks FC sign Rapids Academy goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez to USL Championship contract". Colorado Rapids. August 8, 2019.
  12. ^ "Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Sign Abraham Rodriguez To USL Championship Contract". Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. August 8, 2019.
  13. ^ "Colorado Springs Switchbacks Goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez Named To USL 20 Under 20 List". Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. October 1, 2019.
  14. ^ Shapiro, Jakob (January 31, 2020). "Broomfield native Abraham Rodriguez could be Colorado Rapids' future in goal". The Denver Post.
  15. ^ "Colorado Rapids Sign 17-Year-Old Goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez to Homegrown Contract". Colorado Rapids. February 20, 2020.
  16. ^ "Colorado Rapids sign Abraham Rodriguez, 17-year-old academy product to Homegrown deal". Major League Soccer. February 20, 2020.
  17. ^ "Colorado Rapids loan Anderson, Rodriguez, Jackson and Rwatubyaye to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC". Colorado Rapids. February 21, 2020.
  18. ^ Benedetto, Vinny (February 21, 2020). "Abraham Rodriguez, three other Rapids, set for return to Switchbacks FC". The Gazette.
  19. ^ "Colorado Rapids Loan Five Players to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC". Colorado Rapids. March 29, 2021.
  20. ^ "Breaking new ground: Abe Rodriguez makes club history as youngest Rapids goalkeeper with debut against Portland". Colorado Rapids. June 27, 2022.
  21. ^ Pollard, Matt (October 21, 2023). "Thank God That's Over: Rapids Lose Fourth to RSL in Abe Rodriguez Start". Burgundy Wave.
  22. ^ Henry Jr., Larry (March 8, 2024). "Kamron Habibullah, Abraham Rodriguez headline a final edition of Familiar Faces in New Places". MLS Next Pro.
  23. ^ Alcantar, Marisa (March 7, 2024). "Toronto FC II: Abraham Rodriguez Signs MLS NEXT Pro Contract". Toronto Reds.
  24. ^ "Philadelphia Union II 2, Toronto FC II 1 - 2024 MLS Next Pro Regular Season". Toronto FC. March 18, 2024.
  25. ^ Abraham Rodriguez at Soccerway
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