| Marco Vélez | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Marco Vélez | |
| Date of birth | June 26 1980 | |
| Place of birth | Carolina, Puerto Rico | |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | |
| Playing position | Defender | |
| Youth clubs | ||
1999-2001 |
IMG Soccer Academy Barry University |
|
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2003-2004 2005- |
Seattle Sounders Puerto Rico Islanders |
50 (5) 73 (3) |
| National team | ||
| ?-current | Puerto Rico | (?) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Marco Vélez is a Puerto Rican professional soccer player. He is currently playing with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division On several occasions he has been selected as First Team USL Team of the Week. He also plays for the Puerto Rican national team
Contents |
Biography
High school and college
Vélez began playing youth soccer in Puerto Rico, but moved to Bolletieri (IMG) Soccer Academy when in high school. He then attended Barry University from 1999 to 2001 where he played on the men's soccer team. During his freshman and sophomore years he was named first team All Conference.[1]
Seattle Sounders
In 2003 Vélez was drafted by the NY/NJ Metrostars in the Major League Soccer Superdraft but he decided to sign with the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division in April 2003. While a defender in college, Vélez moved to forward briefly during the 2003 season. However, he returned to the back line in 2004. That season, he helped the Sounders reach the league finals.
Puerto Rico Islanders
In 2005 he signed with the Puerto Rico Islanders where he scored 2 goals in 22 games playing as a defender. He finished ranked 10th in the USL in fouls with 44. During the 2006 season, Vélez was instrumental in the Puerto Rico Islanders qualify to the Play-Offs and to participate in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Qualifiers. This would be the first time in Puerto Rico Islanders history to qualify for both Play-Offs and CONCACAF Champions Cup Qualifiers. Vélez was selected to be the Islanders Captain during the CONCACAF Champions Cup Qualifiers. During the 2007 season, Vélez scored one goal and added one assist in twenty-seven games. His everyday play as defender was crucial to the Puerto Rico Islanders advancing for the first time in team history to the USL Semi-Finals and to qualify for second year in a row for the Play-Offs. Velez led the Islanders in matches and minutes played. In July 2007, the California Cougars of Major Indoor Soccer League drafted Velez in the sixth round (49th overall) of the league's supplemental draft.[2]
