Wálter Restrepo Uribe (born June 21, 1988) is an American-born Colombian
football player.
Career
2006–2010
He played professionally in Colombia from 2006–2010, appearing in both the first and second division for Deportes Tolima, Boyacá Chicó and Expreso Rojo. He has also represented the Colombia national team at the U17 level.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers
2011
Retrepo signed with the
Fort Lauderdale Strikers Fort Lauderdale Strikers may refer to:
*Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983), member of North American Soccer League from 1977 to 1983
*Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1988–1994), member of American Soccer League from 1988 to 1989 and American Profes ...
on July 11, 2011, midway through the 2011 NASL season. He made his debut for the Strikers in a 3–0 win against
FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club was founded in 2010 and competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 2011 to 2017. The club went on hiatus when NASL ceased competitive operat ...
on July 30. Restrepo scored his first goal for the Strikers in his first start with the club, beating
Brad Knighton with a half-volley from 30 yards out. Restrepo's goal, along with the stoppage-time winner from
Martin Nuñez in the same game, was voted by fans as the #1 play of 2011. Restrepo scored his second goal for the Strikers in the 3–1 victory against the
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto, a Spanish word meaning ''seaport'', may refer to:
Places
*El Puerto de Santa María, Andalusia, Spain
*Puerto, a seaport town in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
*Puerto Colombia, Colombia
*Puerto Cumarebo, Venezuela
*Puerto Galera, Orient ...
in the semifinal round of the playoffs. He ended his first season with the Strikers having made a total of twelve appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and a single assist.
2012
In December 2011, the Strikers announced that they had picked up Restrepo's option for the 2012 season. He switched from the number 19 jersey to the iconic 10 shirt after
Mike Palacio signed with the RailHawks. Restrepo began the season as the Strikers' main playmaker, occupying the hole behind the forwards. On April 21, he assisted both
Andy Herron's goals in the 2–2 draw with the
San Antonio Scorpions. A week later he scored his first goal of the season against rivals
Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Tampa Bay Rowdies are an American professional soccer team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The club was founded in 2008 and first took the pitch in 2010. Since 2017, the Rowdies have been members of the USL Championship in the second tie ...
in the 90th minute of the 3–1 loss.
After the emergence of teammate
Mark Anderson in the attacking midfield position, Restrepo moved to the right side of midfield. On July 7, Restrepo recorded his first multi-goal game, scoring twice against the RailHawks in a 3–3 draw at
WakeMed Soccer Park
WakeMed Soccer Park is a major soccer complex in Cary, North Carolina, United States. It consists of a purpose-built, soccer-specific main stadium called Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, two lighted practice fields, and four additional ...
. The Strikers extended Restrepo's contract on July 17 to carry through the 2013 season, with an option for 2014. On July 28 against the
Atlanta Silverbacks, Restrepo scored his sixth goal of the season and extended his league-lead in assists from six to eight.
On August 15, the Strikers announced that Restrepo would miss the remainder of the season after suffering an
ACL tear.
2013
Restrepo made his return from injury in the first match of the 2013 season on April 6—nearly 8 months after tearing his ACL. He replaced
Rubens in the 65th minute to a rapturous applause, sparking a comeback 1–1 tie with FC Edmonton in his 25-minute cameo.
Restrepo forced what was later considered an own goal by the
New York Cosmos New York Cosmos may refer to
* New York Cosmos (1970–1985), a team in the North American Soccer League (then the top-tier soccer league in the United States and Canada)
* New York Cosmos (2010), a team playing since 2020 in the National Independ ...
in the 2014 NASL semi-final during extra-time. That goal would be the game winner and would send the eventual champions, San Antonio Scorpions, into the championship match.
New York Cosmos
On January 19, 2015, Restrepo signed with the
New York Cosmos New York Cosmos may refer to
* New York Cosmos (1970–1985), a team in the North American Soccer League (then the top-tier soccer league in the United States and Canada)
* New York Cosmos (2010), a team playing since 2020 in the National Independ ...
.
Philadelphia Union
On January 12, 2016, Restrepo signed with the
Philadelphia Union for an undisclosed transfer fee. At the conclusion of the season, Restrepo's contract was declined by the Union after making 4 appearances for the club and 8 for its
USL reserve team,
Bethlehem Steel FC
Philadelphia Union II is an American professional soccer team based in Chester, Pennsylvania competing in MLS Next Pro. Founded in 2015 as Bethlehem Steel FC, the team is the official affiliate of the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer. T ...
.
Return to New York Cosmos
On January 31, 2017, Restrepo re-signed with the
New York Cosmos New York Cosmos may refer to
* New York Cosmos (1970–1985), a team in the North American Soccer League (then the top-tier soccer league in the United States and Canada)
* New York Cosmos (2010), a team playing since 2020 in the National Independ ...
. Restrepo played 13 games for the Cosmos during the NASL's Spring Season, notching 2 goals and 2 assists.
Tampa Bay Rowdies
On July 20, he was released by New York in order to sign with the
Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Tampa Bay Rowdies are an American professional soccer team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The club was founded in 2008 and first took the pitch in 2010. Since 2017, the Rowdies have been members of the USL Championship in the second tie ...
.
San Antonio FC
On November 20, 2018, USL side
San Antonio FC
San Antonio FC is a professional soccer club based in San Antonio, Texas. It competes in the USL Championship, the second-highest level of the United States soccer league system, as a member of the Western Conference.
History
San Antonio F ...
announced the signing of Restropo.
Career statistics
Club
''Statistics accurate as of August 15, 2012''
References
External links
Fort Lauderdale Strikers bioNew York Cosmos bioNISL bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Restrepo, Walter
1988 births
Living people
Colombian footballers
American soccer players
American sportspeople of Colombian descent
Boyacá Chicó F.C. footballers
Fort Lauderdale Strikers players
San Antonio Scorpions players
North American Soccer League players
New York Cosmos (2010) players
Philadelphia Union players
Philadelphia Union II players
Categoría Primera A players
USL Championship players
Major League Soccer players
Tampa Bay Rowdies players
Association football midfielders
San Antonio FC players