| Wálter Restrepo | |
| Fullname: | Wálter Restrepo Uribe |
| Birth Date: | 21 June 1988 |
| Birth Place: | San Diego, California, United States |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Youthyears1: | –2006 |
| Youthclubs1: | Deportes Tolima U-19 |
| Years1: | 2006–2008 |
| Clubs1: | Deportes Tolima |
| Caps1: | 5 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2008–2009 |
| Clubs2: | Expreso Rojo |
| Caps2: | 2 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2009–2010 |
| Clubs3: | Boyacá Chicó |
| Caps3: | 8 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2010–2011 |
| Clubs4: | Expreso Rojo |
| Years5: | 2011–2013 |
| Clubs5: | Fort Lauderdale Strikers |
| Caps5: | 51 |
| Goals5: | 10 |
| Years6: | 2014 |
| Clubs6: | San Antonio Scorpions |
| Caps6: | 25 |
| Goals6: | 3 |
| Years7: | 2015 |
| Clubs7: | New York Cosmos |
| Caps7: | 22 |
| Goals7: | 3 |
| Years8: | 2016 |
| Clubs8: | Philadelphia Union |
| Caps8: | 4 |
| Goals8: | 0 |
| Years9: | 2016 |
| Clubs9: | → Bethlehem Steel (loan) |
| Caps9: | 8 |
| Goals9: | 0 |
| Years10: | 2017 |
| Clubs10: | New York Cosmos |
| Caps10: | 13 |
| Goals10: | 2 |
| Years11: | 2017 |
| Clubs11: | Tampa Bay Rowdies |
| Caps11: | 15 |
| Goals11: | 1 |
| Years12: | 2018 |
| Clubs12: | Deportes Tolima |
| Caps12: | 0 |
| Goals12: | 0 |
| Years13: | 2019 |
| Clubs13: | San Antonio FC |
| Caps13: | 25 |
| Goals13: | 3 |
| Years14: | 2021–2022 |
| Clubs14: | Rome Gladiators (indoor) |
| Caps14: | 0 |
| Goals14: | 0 |
| Nationalteam1: | Colombia U-17 |
| Club-Update: | 31 March 2022 |
Wálter Restrepo Uribe (born June 21, 1988) is an American-born Colombian football player.
He played professionally in Colombia from 2006 to 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.[1] [2]
Retrepo signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on July 11, 2011, midway through the 2011 NASL season.[3] He made his debut for the Strikers in a 3–0 win against FC Edmonton 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.[4] 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 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.
In December 2011, the Strikers announced that they had picked up Restrepo's option for the 2012 season.[5] 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 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. 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.[6]
On August 15, the Strikers announced that Restrepo would miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL tear.[7]
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.[8]
Restrepo forced what was later considered an own goal by the New York Cosmos 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.
On January 19, 2015, Restrepo signed with the New York Cosmos.[9]
On January 12, 2016, Restrepo signed with the Philadelphia Union for an undisclosed transfer fee.[10] 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.[11]
On January 31, 2017, Restrepo re-signed with the New York Cosmos.[12] Restrepo played 13 games for the Cosmos during the NASL's Spring Season, notching 2 goals and 2 assists.
On July 20, he was released by New York in order to sign with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.[13]
On November 20, 2018, USL side San Antonio FC announced the signing of Restropo.[14]
Statistics accurate as of August 15, 2012
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Playoffs | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | |||
| Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 2011 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 21 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 7 | 9 | ||
| 2013 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 32 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 38 | 10 | 10 | ||