Federico Peña (footballer) explained

Federico Peña
Fullname:Federico Rafael Mendes Peña
Birth Date:30 March 1999
Birth Place:Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Height:1.75 m
Position:Fullback, winger
Currentclub:Winnipeg Lucania
Youthyears1:2009–2013
Youthclubs1:Winnipeg South End United SC
Youthyears2:2013–2015
Youthclubs2:Bonivital SC
Youthyears3:2015–2017
Youthclubs3:Granite United
Youthyears4:2017
Youthclubs4:Gent
Youthyears5:2018
Youthclubs5:Standard Liège
Years1:2019–2022
Clubs1:Valour FC
Caps1:59
Goals1:0
Years2:2023
Clubs2:Umeå FC
Caps2:2
Goals2:0
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:Winnipeg Lucania
Caps3:10
Goals3:3
Nationalteam1:Trinidad and Tobago
Nationalyears1:2021–
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:22 August 2024
Nationalteam-Update:1 February 2021

Federico Rafael Mendes Peña (born 30 March 1999) is a Trinidadian footballer who plays for Winnipeg Lucania in the Manitoba Major Soccer League.

Early life

Peña was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.[1] He moved to Mississauga, Canada, before settling in Winnipeg, Canada in 2009.[2] He began playing youth soccer in Canada with Winnipeg South End United SC in 2009.[3] In 2013, he began playing with Bonivital SC, moving to Granite United from 2015 to 2017. He then joined the youth system of Belgian club Gent, playing for the U21 squad, while also training with the first team on occasion. In 2018, he joined the U21 team of Standard Liège.[4]

Club career

In March 2019, Peña went on trial with Valour FC of the Canadian Premier League ahead of the 2019 season.[5] In April 2019, Peña signed with the club.[6] [7] He appeared in six of his team's seven matches in the 2020 shortened season, including having a red card overturned ahead of the final match of the season.[8] [9] In December 2020, he the club picked up his option for the 2021 season.[10] [11] During the 2021 season, his playing time greatly increased, appearing in 26 matches,[12] including being named Man of the Match in a 1-0 victory over Forge FC on July 11, 2021.[13] In January 2022, he once again re-signed with the club for another season, with the club re-structing his contract, rather than just picking up his club option.[14] [15] In December 2022, he departed the club, upon the expiry of his contract.[16]

In March 2023, he joined Umeå FC in the Swedish third tier Ettan on a one-year contract.[17] He made two substitute appearances for the club that season.

In 2024, Peña returned to Canada and played for amateur club Winnipeg Lucania FC in the Manitoba Major Soccer League.[18]

International career

Peña is eligible to represent both Canada or Trinidad and Tobago internationally. In 2013 and 2014, Peña made his debut in the Canada national team, attending two identification camps for the Canada U15 team.[19]

In March 2020, he was set to be called up by the Trinidad and Tobago national team ahead of a friendly against Canada, but it was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] After remaining in contact with the national team, he was again called up in January 2021 ahead of a friendly against the United States.[21] [22] He made his debut in that match on 31 January, as a starter.[23] [24]

Personal

Peña is related to former Trinidad and Tobago national team goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.[25] Peña's great-grandfather immigrated to Trinidad and Tobago from Portugal, which allowed Peña to obtain Portuguese citizenship, which enabled him to obtain a European passport allowing him to sign with Gent's youth teams.[26]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational cupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Valour FC2019Canadian Premier League800080
20206060
202124020260
202221010220
Total590003000620
Umeå FC2023Ettan200020
Winnipeg Lucania2024Manitoba Major Soccer League103103
Career total713003000743

Notes and References

  1. Web site: “This is my city and I’m very proud to play for Valour and represent the city I’m from.” - Peña returns to Valour for 2021. December 7, 2020. Valour FC. Ed. Tait.
  2. Web site: Winnipeg roots run deep for Valour FC. April 4, 2019. Paul. Friesen. Winnipeg Sun.
  3. Web site: Valour FC announce return of midfielder Federico Peña. December 7, 2020. Valour FC.
  4. Web site: Valour FC signs Calum Ferguson, Federico Peña. April 3, 2019. Canadian Premier League.
  5. Web site: Ryan. Brandt. Decisions, decisions: Valour looking at 10 trialists as camp opens. 4 March 2019. Canadian Premier League.
  6. Web site: Valour FC adds players to roster. April 4, 2019. Winnipeg Free Press.
  7. Web site: Sights and … smells: Valour’s Peña feeling at home as Dominican pre-season begins. April 8, 2019. Canadian Premier League. Marty. Thompson.
  8. Web site: Winnipegger Federico Pena Re-Signs With Valour FC. December 20, 2020. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  9. Web site: Federico Pena on returning for Valour in 2021: ‘I consider myself a real Winnipegger’. December 13, 2020. Canadian Premier League. Ed. Tait.
  10. Web site: Valour retains 'proud' 'Pegger. December 7, 2020. Winnipeg Sun. Paul. Friesen.
  11. Web site: Valour FC re-signs versatile Canadian Federico Peña. December 7, 2020. Canadian Premier League.
  12. Web site: “This team, it feels like it’s on the cusp of greatness” - Peña continues to grow in fourth year with the club. March 8, 2022. Valour FC. Ed. Tait.
  13. Web site: Pena picks up man-of-match award in Valour FC's narrow win. July 13, 2021. Nigel. Simon. Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.
  14. Web site: Andy Baquero and Federico Peña return to Valour FC. January 24, 2022. Charlie. O'Connor-Clarke. Canadian Premier League.
  15. Web site: “They are two guys from the get-go that we knew we wanted back.” - Peña, Baquero return for 2022. Ed. Tait. Valour FC.
  16. Web site: Valour Confirms Exits Of Pena, Cebara, And Riggi. December 13, 2022. John. Jacques. Northern Tribune.
  17. Web site: Federico Peña ready for Umeå FC. Swedish. Federico Peña klar för Umeå FC. 28 March 2023. Umeå FC.
  18. Web site: Federico Pena . . 22 August 2024.
  19. Web site: Youth soccer in province looking strong. Simon. Fuller. December 3, 2013. Brandon Sun.
  20. Web site: Federico Peña selected for Trinidad & Tobago national team’s roster. January 27, 2021. Valour FC. Ed. Tait.
  21. Web site: Pena Gets Trinidad And Tobago Call. January 27, 2021. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  22. Web site: Taylor. Allen. January 29, 2021. Valour FC’s Pena is ‘Trini to the bone’. Winnipeg Free Press.
  23. Web site: “It was a big blessing and just an amazing feeling” - Federico Peña starts for Trinidad & Tobago. February 1, 2021. Valour FC. Ed. Tait.
  24. Web site: Pena Makes Trinidad And Tobago Debut. February 1, 2021. John. Jacques. Northern Tribune.
  25. Web site: Pena honored to represent T&T national football team. January 28, 2021. Loop News.
  26. Web site: Trifactor E27: Federico Peña - Madeira to Trinidad and Tobago to Belgium to Canada to..... August 16, 2021. The Trifactor Podcast. YouTube.