Joey DiGiamarino
Encyclopedia
Joseph Anthony "Joey" DiGiamarino (born April 6, 1977 in Corona
, California
) is an American soccer player who last played left defense
for the Colorado Rapids
of Major League Soccer
.
DiGiamarino, nicknamed DiGi, attended Corona High School
where he was the 1995 California High School Player of the Year. He played college soccer
at Cal State-Fullerton
, but left it after his sophomore season, becoming one of the early Project-40 signings in MLS history. He was allocated to the Rapids in 1997, but did not see any time with the team that year, instead playing on loan with the Colorado Foxes
of the A-League
. That year, he also played for the U.S. U-20 national team
at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
. He played four games as the U.S. went to the Round of 16.
DiGiamarino became a regular with the Rapids in 1998 and played there for three seasons, mostly at left midfield. In 2000, he played for the United States
in the Summer Olympics
. He left MLS after the year, signing with the Bundesliga
club Bayer Leverkusen
.
But various injuries and the quality of the Leverkusen squad led to Joey not seeing any playing time in Germany. After two years in career wasteland, he came back to MLS, signing with the MetroStars
in 2003. DiGiamarino was waived by them early in 2004, and was picked up by his original team, Colorado. But the Rapids let him go after the year. In five years in the league, DiGiamarino scored seven goals and added eight assists.
Corona, California
Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 152,374, up from 124,966 at the 2000 census...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) is an American soccer player who last played left defense
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
DiGiamarino, nicknamed DiGi, attended Corona High School
Corona High School
Corona Senior High School is a California Distinguished high school in the city of Corona, California, a growing city in the Inland Empire of Southern California...
where he was the 1995 California High School Player of the Year. He played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at Cal State-Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton is a public university located in Fullerton, California. It is the largest institution in the CSU System by enrollment, it offers long-distance education and adult-degree programs...
, but left it after his sophomore season, becoming one of the early Project-40 signings in MLS history. He was allocated to the Rapids in 1997, but did not see any time with the team that year, instead playing on loan with the Colorado Foxes
Colorado Foxes
The Colorado Foxes were a professional soccer team, based in Commerce City, Colorado, that played in the APSL between 1990 and 1997. The Foxes won two APSL titles, in 1992 and 1993. When Major League Soccer started and the Colorado Rapids became the region's premier team, the Foxes tried to stay...
of the A-League
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
. That year, he also played for the U.S. U-20 national team
United States U-20 men's national soccer team
The United States U-20 men's national soccer team is the national under-20 soccer team of the United States of America and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation. The highest level of competition in which the team competes is the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years.The...
at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship was the 11th staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship. It was held from June 16 to July 5, 1997 in Malaysia.-Venues:-Qualification:The following 24 teams qualified for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship...
. He played four games as the U.S. went to the Round of 16.
DiGiamarino became a regular with the Rapids in 1998 and played there for three seasons, mostly at left midfield. In 2000, he played for the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in the Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
. He left MLS after the year, signing with the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
club Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen is a German football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the most well-known department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a sports club whose members also participate in athletics, gymnastics, basketball and other sports.-Origins and early years:On 27 November...
.
But various injuries and the quality of the Leverkusen squad led to Joey not seeing any playing time in Germany. After two years in career wasteland, he came back to MLS, signing with the MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
in 2003. DiGiamarino was waived by them early in 2004, and was picked up by his original team, Colorado. But the Rapids let him go after the year. In five years in the league, DiGiamarino scored seven goals and added eight assists.
External links
- Joey DiGiamarino at SoccerTimes.com