Nicolás Ovalle Raffo Explained

Nicolás Ovalle Raffo
Fullname:Nicolás Ignacio Ovalle Raffo
Birth Date:12 April 2000
Birth Place:Providencia, Chile
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Real Monarchs
Youthclubs1:La Roca FC
Youthyears2:2015–2017
Youthclubs2:Real Salt Lake Arizona
Youthyears3:2018–2019
Youthclubs3:Unión Española
Years1:2020–2021
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:2022
Caps2:5
Goals2:3
Years3:2023
Caps3:6
Goals3:0
Years4:2024–
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Club-Update:April 16, 2023

Nicolás Ignacio Ovalle Raffo (born April 12, 2000) is a Chilean footballer who currently plays for MLS Next Pro club Real Monarchs.

Early career

Ovalle Raffo began playing with La Roca Futbol Club in South Weber, Utah when he was seven.[1] Afterwards he joined Real Salt Lake Arizona, a satellite team of the Real Salt Lake Academy.[2] In 2018, he moved to the youth system of Chilean club Unión Española.[3] In December 2019, after being told he wouldn't be extended with Unión Española, he returned home to his family in the United States, and was soon invited to try out with Toronto FC II in the new year, where his brother played.[4]

Club career

On July 6, 2020, he signed a professional contract with Toronto FC II of USL League One.[2] [5] He was unable to appear for the team in 2020, as the club withdrew from the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, although the club picked up his option for the 2021 season.[6] He made his debut on July 23, 2021 in a substitute appearance against New England Revolution II.[7] [8]

In 2022, he played with Salt City SC in USL League Two.[9]

In late 2022, he began training with Spanish club CD Atlético Baleares, but was unable to sign due to a quota issue, but was invited to train with the team for the next six months, with the aim of signing with the club in January.[10] In February 2023, he signed with Andratx in the Tercera Federación.[11] He made his debut on February 12 against Constància.[12]

In late July 2024, he signed with the Real Monarchs of MLS Next Pro, after having trained with the club for the prior couple of months.[13]

International career

Ovalle Raffo is of Chilean and Italian descent and also holds a US Green Card.[14] He has represented Chile at the youth level and was named to the preliminary roster for the Chile U17 national team for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Personal

He is the son of former footballer Adolfo Ovalle and the younger brother of footballer Adolfo Ovalle.[15]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Toronto FC II2021USL League One3030
Salt City SC2022USL League Two5353
Andratx2022–23Tercera Federación600060
Career total143000000143

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: La Roca Propels More Players to the Pros. September 9, 2020. La Roca FC.
  2. Web site: Toronto FC II Sign Nicolas Ovalle. July 6, 2020. Toronto FC.
  3. Web site: El futbolista chileno que deja Unión y se va a jugar a EEUU. The Chilean footballer who leaves Unión and goes to play in the US. es. Salas. Cristian. July 7, 2020. Diario AS.
  4. Web site: "Será lindo jugar con mi hermano": las confesiones del chileno que llegó a EEUU. "It will be nice to play with my brother": the confessions of the Chilean who came to the US. es. Cristian. Salas. Diario AS. July 7, 2020.
  5. Web site: Nicolas Ovalle and brother ‘Fito’ to join forces on Toronto FC II this season. July 6, 2020. Benedict. Rhodes. Waking the Red.
  6. Web site: Toronto FC II announce series of roster moves. December 23, 2020. Benedict. Rhodes. Waking the Red.
  7. Web site: Recap - Revolution II Edges Toronto FC II, 1-0. July 23, 2021. New England Revolution.
  8. March 8, 2022. How he made his way into a USL team and you can too!. Train Effective. YouTube.
  9. Web site: Nico Ovalle 2022 USL2 Stats. USL League Two.
  10. Web site: Nicolás Ovalle: “Quiero firmar luego en España, jugar bien y volver a la Roja”. Nicolás Ovalle: "I want to sign later in Spain, play well and return to the Red". December 8, 2022. Diario AS. Cristian. Salas. es.
  11. Web site: El chileno Nico Ovalle refuerza al líder Andratx. Jaume. Vallés. The Chilean Nico Ovalle reinforces the leader Andratx. es. February 9, 2023. Diario de Mallorca.
  12. Web site: Crónica 3ª RFEF: Constancia 1 – 0 Andratx. Chronicle 3rd RFEF: Constancy 1 – 0 Andratx. Alejandro. Martín. February 12, 2023. Futbol Balear.
  13. Web site: Real Monarchs Sign Chilean Midfielder. 27 July 2024. Real Salt Lake.
  14. Web site: Nicolas Ovalle. 90 Degree Soccer. https://web.archive.org/web/20210513033440/https://www.90dsg.com/nicolas-ovalle. May 13, 2021. dead.
  15. Web site: El ex zaguero chileno con su propio club en Estados Unidos. es. The former Chilean defender with his own club in the United States. Pablo. Ortega. Diario AS. December 19, 2015.