Rich Costanzo
Encyclopedia
Richard "Rich" Costanzo is an American
soccer player currently playing for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.
, where he was a two-time NSCAA/adidas All-American, a two-time regional All-American, and was twice named the WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) Player of the Year. In 2003, he was also named the NSCAA
Pennsylvania State Player of the Year and chosen as an EA Sports
All-American. He helped lead the Jaguars to the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) State Championship three times, winning the state title in 2002.
Costanzo was selected to play for the Region I Olympic Development Program team from 2000–2005 and was a member of the U.S. U–18 National team player pool.
He started his youth soccer in Pittsburgh for the Beadling Soccer Club, before joining FC Delco on the other side of the state.
at Pennsylvania State University
where he was named the 2004 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He was also named Freshman All-America by Soccer America, Top Draw Soccer, and College Soccer News. He transferred to the University of Maryland, College Park
to continue his collegiate career. He became a team captain for the Terps in the 2008 season, and helped lead the team to an ACC Championship and NCAA Division I National Championship.
Costanzo signed with Minnesota Thunder
on February 26, 2009. He made his professional debut on April 11, 2009, as a second half substitute in Minnesota's 2009 season-opening game against the Carolina RailHawks.
Costanzo was on the 2010-11 roster of the Baltimore Blast
indoor soccer
team, but appeared in no games.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player currently playing for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.
Youth and High School
Costanzo attended Thomas Jefferson High School in PittsburghPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, where he was a two-time NSCAA/adidas All-American, a two-time regional All-American, and was twice named the WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) Player of the Year. In 2003, he was also named the NSCAA
NSCAA
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America is an organization of American soccer coaches founded in 1941. The NSCAA has grown from a handful of college soccer coaches to more than 22,000 members, making it the largest coaching organization in the world. Its members coach at all levels of...
Pennsylvania State Player of the Year and chosen as an EA Sports
EA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
All-American. He helped lead the Jaguars to the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) State Championship three times, winning the state title in 2002.
Costanzo was selected to play for the Region I Olympic Development Program team from 2000–2005 and was a member of the U.S. U–18 National team player pool.
He started his youth soccer in Pittsburgh for the Beadling Soccer Club, before joining FC Delco on the other side of the state.
College
Costanzo started college soccerCollege 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 Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
where he was named the 2004 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He was also named Freshman All-America by Soccer America, Top Draw Soccer, and College Soccer News. He transferred to the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
to continue his collegiate career. He became a team captain for the Terps in the 2008 season, and helped lead the team to an ACC Championship and NCAA Division I National Championship.
Professional
Having not been drafted by Major League SoccerMajor 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...
Costanzo signed with 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...
on February 26, 2009. He made his professional debut on April 11, 2009, as a second half substitute in Minnesota's 2009 season-opening game against the Carolina RailHawks.
Costanzo was on the 2010-11 roster of the Baltimore Blast
Baltimore Blast (current)
Baltimore Blast is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Founded in 1992, the team plays in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
indoor soccer
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
team, but appeared in no games.
Rochester Rhinos
- USSF Division 2 Pro League Regular Season Champions (1): 2010
University of Maryland
- NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship (1): 20082008 Division I Men's College CupThe 2008 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 Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. All the other games were played at the home field of the...