Kevin Rodriguez (soccer, born 1996) explained

Kevin Rodriguez
Birth Date:25 September 1996
Birth Place:Pasadena, Texas, United States
Position:Winger
Youthclubs1:Manchester United Houston
Youthyears2:2014–2015
Youthclubs2:Houston Dynamo
Collegeyears1:2015–2018
College1:Northern Illinois Huskies
Collegecaps1:59
Collegegoals1:7
Years1:2017–2018
Clubs1:Brazos Valley Cavalry
Caps1:5
Goals1:0
Years2:2019–2020
Clubs2:Rio Grande Valley FC
Caps2:30
Goals2:2
Years3:2021–2022
Clubs3:FC Tucson
Caps3:18
Goals3:3
Club-Update:June 4, 2022

Kevin Rodriguez (born September 25, 1996) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder.

Early life

He played youth soccer with Manchester United Houston.[1] After originally getting cut by the Houston Dynamo academy twice, he eventually was accepted to join the academy in 2014.[2]

College career

In 2015, he began attending Northern Illinois University, where he played for the men's soccer team.[1] He scored his first collegiate goal on September 29, 2015, against the Eastern Illinois Panthers.[3] As a freshman, he was named the 2015 MAC Freshman of the Year,[4] and was named to the NIU Adidas Invitational All-Tournament Team.[5] In his senior season in 2018, he was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Third Team and the All-MAC First Team.[6] [7]

Club career

In 2017, Rodriguez joined USL Premier Development League side Brazos Valley Cavalry during the college offseason.[8] He made two appearances in 2017 and three appearances in 2018.[9] [10]

In January 2019, Rodriguez was selected 75th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by Minnesota United,[11] [12] becoming the first Northern Illinois University player to ever be drafted.[13] [14]

In March 2019, Rodriguez signed for USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC.[15] He scored his first professional goal on August 10, 2019, against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.[16]

Rodriguez signed with FC Tucson in USL League One on February 10, 2021.[17] After struggling with injuries early in the 2021 season, he scored his first goal for the club on October 16, 2021, when he scored two goals against South Georgia Tormenta FC in a 3–1 victory.[18] [19] As a result of that performance, he was named to the USL Team of the Week.[20]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brazos Valley Cavalry2017Premier Development League2020
2018300030
Total5000000050
Rio Grande Valley FC2019USL Championship222222
20208080
Total300000000302
FC Tucson2021USL League One17320193
2022100010
Total183200000203
Career total533200000555

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kevin Rodriguez Northern Illinois profile. Northern Illinois Huskies.
  2. Web site: Cut Twice By An MLS Academy To Getting Drafted Into The MLS & Signing PRO - Kevin Rodriguez. August 12, 2020. William. Akio.
  3. Web site: Huskies Open League Slate at Bowling Green. October 3, 2015. Northern Illinois Huskies.
  4. Web site: Luke Read and Kevin Rodriguez Earn MAC Honors. November 12, 2015. Northern Illinois Huskies.
  5. Web site: Huskies Open Four-Game Roadtrip at Marquette. September 17, 2015. Northern Illinois Huskies.
  6. Web site: Kevin Rodriguez Earns All-Region Honors. December 5, 2018. Northern Illinois Huskies.
  7. Web site: MAC Announces 2018 Men's Soccer Postseason Awards. November 8, 2018. Mid-American Conference.
  8. Web site: Brazos Valley Cavalry FC announce first player signings. March 29, 2017. Houston Dynamo.
  9. Web site: Kevin Rodriguez 2017 PDL Stats. USL League Two.
  10. Web site: Kevin Rodriguez 2018 PDL Stats. USL League Two.
  11. Web site: Loons Take Winger and Center Back in Final Two SuperDraft Picks. January 14, 2019. Colin. O'Donnell. E Pluribus Loonum.
  12. Web site: MNUFC Selects Rodriguez and Osmond in the Fourth Round of the MLS SuperDraft. January 14, 2019. Our Sports Central.
  13. Web site: Former Huskie forward Kevin Rodriguez drafted by MLS. Roland. Hacker. January 14, 2019. Northern Star.
  14. Web site: Kevin Rodriguez Selected by Minnesota United in MLS SuperDraft. January 14, 2019. Northern Illinois Huskies.
  15. Web site: RGV FC adds 12 players to roster ahead of 2019 season. March 9, 2019. Rio Grande Valley FC.
  16. Web site: Match Recap: Switchbacks equalize late to steal a point at home against the Toros. August 12, 2019. Rio Grande Valley FC.
  17. Web site: FC Tucson Signs RGV FC Winger Kevin Rodriguez. FC Tucson. February 10, 2021. February 10, 2021.
  18. Web site: Rodriguez earns brace in rare start as FC Tucson takes out Tormenta FC. October 17, 2021. Ted. Prezelski. Tucson Sentinel.
  19. Web site: Kevin Rodriguez provides spark for FC Tucson heading into biggest match of the season. James. Kelley. Arizona Daily Star.
  20. Web site: Charlie Dennis & Kevin Rodriguez Earn Team of the Week Honors. October 18, 2021. FC Tucson.