Julian Valentin

Julian Valentin

Personal information
Full name	Julian Valentin
Date of birth	February 23, 1987 (1987-02-23)
Place of birth	Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
2004–2007	Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2005	Raleigh CASL Elite	7	(0)
2008–2009	Los Angeles Galaxy	1	(0)
2009	→ Hollywood United Hitmen (loan)	1	(0)
2009	→ Cleveland City Stars (loan)	7	(1)
2010	FC Tampa Bay	29	(2)
Total		45	(3)
National team
2003	United States U-17	1	(0)
2007	United States U-20	4	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Julian Valentin (born February 23, 1987 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) is a retired American soccer player.

Career

College and Amateur

At Wake Forest University, Valentin started over 70 games for the Deacons, and during his time in North Carolina, amongst many recognitions, was named a Soccer America Preseason All-American, was included in the NSCAA First Team All-South and the Second Team All-America, received ACC First Team honors, was named to ESPN's Academic All-District III team, and was a Soccer America First-Team All All-American on two separate occasions. While Valentin was at Wake Forest the Demon Deacons played in the 2006 and 2007 College Cup, winning the NCAA National Championship in 2007. During his college years Valentin also played with Raleigh CASL Elite in the USL Premier Development League.

Professional

Valentin was the 29th overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy. After suffering with persistent injury through most of his freshman year, he made his professional debut on October 26, 2008, in Galaxy's final regular season game of the 2008 season, against FC Dallas.

With the MLS Reserve Division having been scrapped at the end of 2008, Galaxy loaned Valentin to the Hollywood United Hitmen of the USL Premier Development League to maintain his match fitness levels. He made his debut in Hollywood's 4-0 victory over Ventura County Fusion on May 8, 2009.

Valentin was then loaned to Cleveland City Stars in the USL First Division on May 15, 2009, but played only seven games for the team before suffering a season-ending injury. He was waived by Galaxy on November 25, 2009.

Valentin signed with USSF Division 2 club FC Tampa Bay on 5 February 2010 and was named club captain on 6 April 2010.

On 3 February 2011, Valentin retired from professional play and accepted a job with the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.

International

Valentin was a member of the US U-20 national team, and played in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. He was formerly the captain of the US Residency program in Bradenton, Florida, and was a member of the US U-17 national team that participated in the 2003 U-17 World Championships in Finland.

Honors

Wake Forest University

• NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship (1): 2007

Personal

Valentin's younger brother Zarek Valentin plays for Montreal Impact of Major League Soccer after having helped guide the University of Akron men's soccer team to the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship.

External links

• MLS player profile
• Julian Valentin's blog
• Wake Forest bio