Julian Valentin
Encyclopedia
Julian Valentin is a retired American
soccer player.
, Valentin started over 70 games for the Deacons, and during his time in North Carolina, amongst many recognitions, was named a Soccer America Preseason All-American, was included in the NSCAA First Team All-South and the Second Team All-America, received ACC First Team honors, was named to ESPN's Academic All-District III team, and was a Soccer America First-Team All All-American on two separate occasions. While Valentin was at Wake Forest the Demon Deacons played in the 2006 and 2007 College Cup, winning the NCAA National Championship in 2007. During his college years Valentin also played with Raleigh CASL Elite in the USL Premier Development League
.
, selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy
. After suffering with persistent injury through most of his freshman year, he made his professional debut on October 26, 2008, in Galaxy's final regular season game of the 2008 season, against FC Dallas
.
With the MLS Reserve Division
having been scrapped at the end of 2008, Galaxy loaned Valentin to the Hollywood United Hitmen
of the USL Premier Development League
to maintain his match fitness levels. He made his debut in Hollywood's 4-0 victory over Ventura County Fusion
on May 8, 2009.
Valentin was then loaned to Cleveland City Stars
in the USL First Division
on May 15, 2009, but played only seven games for the team before suffering a season-ending injury. He was waived by Galaxy on November 25, 2009.
Valentin signed with USSF Division 2 club FC Tampa Bay on 5 February 2010 and was named club captain on 6 April 2010.
On 3 February 2011, Valentin retired from professional play and accepted a job with the Colorado Rockies
of Major League Baseball
.
, and was a member of the US U-17 national team that participated in the 2003 U-17 World Championships in Finland.
plays for Chivas USA of Major League Soccer
after having helped guide the University of Akron men's soccer team
to the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player.
College and Amateur
At Wake Forest UniversityWake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
, Valentin started over 70 games for the Deacons, and during his time in North Carolina, amongst many recognitions, was named a Soccer America Preseason All-American, was included in the NSCAA First Team All-South and the Second Team All-America, received ACC First Team honors, was named to ESPN's Academic All-District III team, and was a Soccer America First-Team All All-American on two separate occasions. While Valentin was at Wake Forest the Demon Deacons played in the 2006 and 2007 College Cup, winning the NCAA National Championship in 2007. During his college years Valentin also played with Raleigh CASL Elite in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.
Professional
Valentin was the 29th overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft2008 MLS SuperDraft
The 2008 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 18, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. It was the ninth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was made by the Kansas City Wizards, after acquiring the selection from the expansion San Jose Earthquakes...
, selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, 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, and the league's second...
. After suffering with persistent injury through most of his freshman year, he made his professional debut on October 26, 2008, in Galaxy's final regular season game of the 2008 season, against FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
.
With the MLS Reserve Division
MLS Reserve Division
The MLS Reserve Division is an USA soccer league for the reserve teams of Major League Soccer.It was inaugurated on April 9, 2005, with the first official reserve game being a 2-0 victory by Chivas USA over the host San Jose Earthquakes, and disbanded after the 2008 season.The reserve division...
having been scrapped at the end of 2008, Galaxy loaned Valentin to the Hollywood United Hitmen
Hollywood United Hitmen
Hollywood United Hitmen is an American soccer team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division, having switched from the...
of the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
to maintain his match fitness levels. He made his debut in Hollywood's 4-0 victory over Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion is an American soccer team based in Ventura, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in...
on May 8, 2009.
Valentin was then loaned to Cleveland City Stars
Cleveland City Stars
Cleveland City Stars was an American professional soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until 2009...
in the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
on May 15, 2009, but played only seven games for the team before suffering a season-ending injury. He was waived by Galaxy on November 25, 2009.
Valentin signed with USSF Division 2 club FC Tampa Bay on 5 February 2010 and was named club captain on 6 April 2010.
On 3 February 2011, Valentin retired from professional play and accepted a job with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
International
Valentin was a member of the US U-20 national team, and played in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. He was formerly the captain of the US Residency program in Bradenton, FloridaBradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
, and was a member of the US U-17 national team that participated in the 2003 U-17 World Championships in Finland.
Wake Forest University
- NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship (1): 20072007 Division I Men's College CupThe 2007 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship was a tournament of 48 teams from NCAA Division I who played for the NCAA Championship in soccer. The College Cup for the final four teams was held at SAS Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. All other games were played at the home field of the...
Personal
Valentin's younger brother Zarek ValentinZarek Valentin
Zarek Valentin is an American soccer player currently playing for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
plays for Chivas USA 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...
after having helped guide the University of Akron men's soccer team
Akron Zips men's soccer
The Akron Zips men's soccer team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of the University of Akron. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Akron is regularly ranked in the Top 10 NSCAA Collegiate men's soccer poll, and have achieved...
to the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship.