José Maria Ribeiro da Cunha explained

José da Cunha
Fullname:José Maria Pinto Sousa Ribeiro Cunha
Birth Date:27 March 2001
Birth Place:Cascais, Portugal
Height:1.85 m
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Des Moines Menace
Youthyears1:2009–2011
Youthclubs1:Sporting CP
Youthyears2:2011
Youthclubs2:FC Cascais
Youthyears3:2012–2020
Youthclubs3:Estoril Praia
Collegeyears1:2020–
College1:CBU Capers
Collegecaps1:35
Collegegoals1:9
Years1:2020
Clubs1:Estoril Praia B
Caps1:8
Goals1:0
Years2:2022
Clubs2:Atlético Ottawa
Caps2:2
Goals2:0
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:Des Moines Menace
Caps3:8
Goals3:1
Club-Update:8 July 2024

José Maria Pinto Sousa Ribeiro Cunha (born 27 March 2001), known as José Cunha, José da Cunha, or Zé Maria, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a defender for the Des Moines Menace in USL League Two.

Early life

Cunha began playing at age three. He joined the famed Sporting CP Youth Academy, before moving on to the youth system of G.D. Estoril Praia,[1] where he captained the U17 and U19 teams.[2] [3] He briefly played for Union FC in Bradford, Ontario in 2018 during their 2018 NCAA March Break Tour, where they played against NCAA college teams Akron, Maryland, and Georgetown.[4]

University career

Cunha had initially attended the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa in Portugal, while playing in the top division U19 division in Portugal,[5] but decided to send game tapes to universities in Canada and the United States.[6] He made the decision to come to North America, as he wanted to pursue education and football simultaneously, which was not really viable to do in Portugal.[7] Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada became interested in him and he decided to attend there and play for their Capers soccer team beginning in the 2020-21 year. However, he was unable to make his debut for the Capers due to the season being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He made his debut on 11 September 2021 against the Saint Mary's Huskies.[8] He scored his first goal on 23 October against the Mount Allison Mounties, scoring the first goal in a 10-0 victory.[9] In 2021, he was named the AUS Rookie of the Year and was named an AUS First-team All-Star,[10] was named to the national U Sports All-Rookie Team,[11] during the Capers' AUS Championship winning season, progressing to the National Championships where they won the bronze medal.[12] In 2023, he was again named an AUS First Team All-Star.[13]

Club career

In 2020, Cunha began playing for Estoril Praia's B team in the district league, fifth tier.[14]

At the 2021 CPL-U Sports Draft, he was selected ninth overall by Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League,[15] but did not ultimately sign with them for the 2021 season.

At the 2022 CPL-U Sports Draft, he was selected first overall by Atlético Ottawa,[16] [17] with the pick being announced by Atlético Madrid and Portugal national team player João Félix.[18] On April 1, he signed a Canadian Premier League developmental contract with Atlético Ottawa.[19] [20] He made his professional debut on 24 April against Valour FC.[21] He left the club in early August to return to university, as part of his developmental contract.[22]

Honours

Atlético Ottawa

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Estoril Praia B2020-21AF Lisboa 2ª Divisão801[23] 00090
Atlético Ottawa2022Canadian Premier League20000020
Des Moines Menace2024[24] USL League Two81000081
Career total181001000191

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021 CPL-U SPORTS Draft Roundup. January 19, 2021. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  2. Web site: The Pandemic Draft: CanPL teams mostly punt on 2020 USPORTS picks. February 1, 2021. The Merchant Sailor. Dylan. Matthias.
  3. Web site: Capers add Portuguese Defender da Cunha. CBU Capers. April 6, 2020.
  4. Web site: Former Player Drafted to CPL Club Forge FC. January 31, 2021. Union FC.
  5. Web site: ‘Draft’ da Liga canadiana leva José Maria Cunha a provar-se ao campeão Forge FC. pt. 'Draft' of the Canadian League leads José Maria Cunha to prove himself to the champion Forge FC. 5 February 2021. Sapo.
  6. Web site: Cape Breton Capers' Portuguese defender drafted by Forge FC in Canadian Premier League-U Sports Draft. Jeremy. Fraser. 30 January 2021. Cape Breton Post.
  7. Web site: CPL-U SPORTS Draft: Cunha ‘can’t wait to get started’ with Atlético Ottawa after 1st overall selection. January 20, 2022. Canadian Premier League. Charlie. O'Connor-Clarke.
  8. Web site: Jose Maria Ribeiro de Cunha CBU Profile. CBU Capers.
  9. Web site: Capers trounce Mounties in AUS men’s soccer action. October 23, 2022. CBU Capers.
  10. Web site: Cape Breton Capers' Waters, de Cunha take home top AUS awards. November 4, 2021. Jeremy. Fraser. SaltWire Network.
  11. Web site: Cape Breton Capers' Waters, Bauld, Coore, and de Cunha named to All-Canadian soccer teams. November 18, 2021. Jeremy. Fraser. SaltWire Network.
  12. Web site: Three of top four CPL-U Sports picks drafted out of Cape Breton University. January 20, 2022. North Atlantic Gameday.
  13. Web site: CBU foursome named AUS first-team all-stars, Midfielder Jason Hartill receives second-team nod. Corey. LeBlanc. October 28, 2023. CBU Capers.
  14. Web site: José Maria. Zero Zero.
  15. Web site: Forge FC Hamilton get defensive in 2021 CPL university draft. Anthony. Urciuoli. January 29, 2021. QuickBite News.
  16. Web site: Atlético Ottawa selects Cunha, Bruce in 2022 CPL-U SPORTS Draft. 20 January 2022. Atlético Ottawa.
  17. Web site: Atlético Ottawa have signed José Cunha - Was selected in CPL-U Sports Draft. April 1, 2022. Manuel. Veth. Transfermarkt.
  18. Web site: 2022 CPL-U SPORTS Draft: View all 16 picks here. Canadian Premier League. 20 January 2022.
  19. Web site: Atlético Ottawa signs first overall CPL-U SPORTS draft pick José Cunha. April 1, 2022. CityNews.
  20. Web site: Atleti Inks 1st Overall Draft Pick José Cunha. April 1, 2022. Atlético Ottawa.
  21. Web site: CPL: Atlético Ottawa fall back to earth with blowout loss to Valour FC. Richard. Coffey. 24 April 2022. 49 Sports.
  22. Web site: Jose Cunha Returns To Capers. August 7, 2022. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  23. Appearances in the AF Lisboa Taça
  24. Web site: USL2 Statistics. USL League Two.