Miguel Gallardo
Encyclopedia
Miguel Gallardo is a Mexican
footballer who currently plays for Orlando City in the USL Professional Division.
, and attended Westwood High School. Instead of attending college, Gallardo returned to his native Mexico to train with the youth academy at Tigres of the Primera División de México
.
Finding opportunities in Mexico limited, Gallardo returned to the United States in 2002, subsequently playing in the USL Premier Development League
for Austin Lightning
. He made 64 starts in his five years with Lightning, before moving on to the Aztex junior team, Austin Aztex U23
in 2008, where he was named PDL Goalkeeper of the Year.
expansion franchise Austin Aztex
. He made his professional debut on April 18, 2009, in Austin's USL1 season opener against Minnesota Thunder
. Prior to the 2011 season, new owners purchased the club, moved it to Orlando, Florida
, re-named it Orlando City and joined the USL Pro
league for 2011.
Orlando City signed Gallardo to a multi-year contract on September 1, 2011.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
footballer who currently plays for Orlando City in the USL Professional Division.
Youth and Amateur
Gallardo grew up in Round Rock, TexasRound Rock, Texas
Round Rock is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the metropolitan area. The 2010 census places the population at 99,887....
, and attended Westwood High School. Instead of attending college, Gallardo returned to his native Mexico to train with the youth academy at Tigres of the Primera División de México
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
.
Finding opportunities in Mexico limited, Gallardo returned to the United States in 2002, subsequently playing 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...
for Austin Lightning
Austin Lightning
Austin Lightning was an American soccer team, founded in 2002, originally with the name Lafayette Lightning. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise...
. He made 64 starts in his five years with Lightning, before moving on to the Aztex junior team, Austin Aztex U23
Austin Aztex U23
Austin Aztex U23 was an American soccer team based in Round Rock, Texas, United States. Founded in 2007, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played...
in 2008, where he was named PDL Goalkeeper of the Year.
Professional
Gallardo was the first player signed by the USL First DivisionUSL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
expansion franchise Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex FC was an American professional soccer team based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2008, the team played in the USL First Division, and in the USL Division of the USSF D2 Pro League, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
. He made his professional debut on April 18, 2009, in Austin's USL1 season opener against Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
. Prior to the 2011 season, new owners purchased the club, moved it to Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, re-named it Orlando City and joined the USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
league for 2011.
Orlando City signed Gallardo to a multi-year contract on September 1, 2011.