Lucas Rodríguez (footballer, born 1986)

Lucas Rodríguez (born February 8, 1986 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine former professional footballer who is currently an assistant coach with the Kansas City Current in the National Women's Soccer League.

Lucas Rodriguez
Personal information
Full name Lucas Rodríguez
Date of birth (1986-02-08) February 8, 1986
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1998–2006 KC Pace
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Johnson County Cavaliers
2008–2009 MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 Kansas City Brass 12 (2)
2010–2013 Minnesota United FC 61 (7)
2010–2020 Kansas City Comets 182 (114)
2015 Jacksonville Armada FC 18 (0)
Managerial career
2021– Kansas City Current (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 April 2020

Career

College and amateur

Rodríguez spent his early childhood up in his native Argentina, before coming to the United States when he was 14 years old, settling in Lenexa, Kansas and played in this time for the KC Pace soccer club.[1] He attended Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, and after attending Johnson County Community College for two years, moved to MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. He played two more years of college soccer at Mid America Nazarene, where in his senior year Rodríguez led his team to the Heart of America Athletic Conference championship while being named the most valuable player, and garnering first- and third-team All-America honors.

During his college years Rodríguez also played with Kansas City Brass in the USL Premier Development League.[2]

Professional

Undrafted out of college, Rodríguez signed his first professional contract in 2010 when he was signed by the NSC Minnesota Stars of the USSF Division 2 Professional League in May.[3][4] He made his professional debut on July 14, 2010 in a game against AC St. Louis,[5] and scored his first professional goal on September 24, 2010 in Minnesota's last regular season game of the 2010 season, a 3-1 win over FC Tampa Bay.[6]

Rodríguez signed with the Kansas City Comets of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) for the 2010-2011 season. He played in 17 games scoring six goals and seven assists. His play was good enough to earn him the MISL Rookie of the Year award.

He signed with Jacksonville Armada FC on October 23, 2014.[7] Rodriguez was released by Jacksonville in November 2015.[8]

Rodríguez returned to the Kansas City Comets of the new Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) for the 2016-17 season. He announced his retirement in December 2020.[9]

Coaching

Rodríguez joined the coaching staff of National Women's Soccer League club Kansas City Current in January 2021, ahead of their inaugural season.[10] He was retained by the Current for the 2022 NWSL season.[11]

References
  1. Alumni - college Archived 2009-01-05 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". www.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 2010-04-05.
  3. Brazilian Geison Moura and Argentinean Lucas Rodrigue Added to NSC Stars Roster
  4. Former MidAmerica Nazarene's Rodriguesz Signed by NSC Minnesota Stars
  5. "USSF Division-2 Pro League". Archived from the original on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
  6. "USSF Division-2 Pro League". Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2010-09-25.
  7. "Armada FC continues to build player fleet with Argentinian duo Ortiz and Rodriguez". Jacksonville Armada FC. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  8. "Armada FC Releases Eight from Roster".
  9. Levinson, Scott. "LUCAS RODRIGUEZ ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT". KCComets.com. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  10. "Kansas City NWSL Finalizes Technical Staff For Upcoming Season". KansasCityCurrent.com. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  11. "Kansas City Current Announce Coaching and Technical Staff Additions". KansasCityCurrent.com. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
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