Alfredo Valente
Encyclopedia
Alfredo Valente is a former Canadian
soccer
midfielder
who formerly played for the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division
(USL-1). Valente played 11 seasons with the 86ers/Whitecaps organization, winning USL championships with the club in 2006
and 2008
. He has also played indoor soccer
with the Edmonton Drillers
of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) early in his professional career. Internationally, Valente has represented Canada
with the under-18, under-20
and under-23 national teams.
, a neighbouring city east of Vancouver
, Valente began playing soccer
at four years old. He joined the local youth and amateur Coquitlam
Metro-Ford Soccer Club (CMFSC) program at 12 and debuted with the men's team in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League
's Premier division three years later.
Valente attended and graduated from Alpha Secondary School
in Burnaby, where he also played for the high school's soccer club, the Aztecs leading them to a provincial championship.
and scored four goals in 14 games to be named Vancouver's top rookie that year in 1998. He recorded his best season with the 86ers in 2000, leading the team in scoring with 10 goals. In 2002, Valente led Vancouver in assists with 10, finishing tied for fifth overall in the USL First Division
.
Under the leadership of head coach Bob Lilley
, hired in 2004, Valente's playing time began to decrease. He did not get off the bench in the 2005 playoffs
. The next season, however, after scoring a goal and an assist in the regular season, he started the title game against the Rochester Raging Rhinos
; Valente helped the Whitecaps to their first USL championship, defeating Rochester 3–0. Attempting to defend the Whitecaps league title in 2007
, Valente appeared in 24 games, while starting in 14. Coming off the bench in the club's two playoff games, Valente and the Whitecaps were defeated in the quarterfinals.
On February 7, 2008, the Whitecaps re-signed Valente for an 11th season. At the time of the signing, he ranked seventh in Vancouver's all-time combined playoff and regular season scoring list with 32 goals and 35 assists in 234 games. As Lilley was replaced by Iceland
ic Teitur Thordarson as head coach, Valente's playing time increased, becoming a regular starter. After finishing with the second best regular season record in 2008
, the Whitecaps won their second USL championship in three years, defeating the Puerto Rico Islanders
2–1 at Swangard Stadium
on October 12, 2008. Valente was instrumental in the Whitecaps first goal in the 56th minute, directing a corner into the Islanders' box, where Charles Gbeke
headed the ball in.
Several months later, Valente was released by the Whitecaps, as the club chose against his 2009
contract option, on December 8, 2008, along with fellow veterans Steve Kindel
, Jeff Clarke
. Club president Bob Lenarduzzi
and coach Thordarson cited "philosophical differences" for the roster changes. Valente left the Whitecaps second all-time in franchise assists. At the end of the 2008 season, Valente, Kindel and Clarke, all long-time members of the club, had voiced their concerns over Thordarson's coaching style in separate one-on-one meetings with him.
Following his release from the Whitecaps, Valente rejoined the Coquitlam Metro-Ford Wolves of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League's Premier Division in 2009. He has been involved with CMFSC, his old youth and amateur soccer club, since 2005 as youth coach and head coach of technical operations, as well.
with the under-18, under-20
and Olympic under-23 national teams. He played with Canada's U-18s for a tournament in Italy
in March 1998 and the U-20s several months later in August 1998. The following year, he was chosen to represent Canada at the 1999 Pan American Games
in the United States. In 2000, Valente went on tour with the Canadian Olympic team in Mexico
as a 19-year-old.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who formerly played for the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
(USL-1). Valente played 11 seasons with the 86ers/Whitecaps organization, winning USL championships with the club in 2006
United Soccer Leagues 2006
-General:* Miami FC joined the First Division.* The Richmond Kickers departed the First Division for the Second Division.* The Northern Virginia Royals departed the Second Division for the Premier Development League ....
and 2008
United Soccer Leagues 2008
The 2008 Season is the 22nd edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 12 with two First Division games, as the Charleston Battery visited Miami FC and the Montreal Impact visited the Vancouver Whitecaps.-General:...
. He has also played indoor soccer
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
with the Edmonton Drillers
Edmonton Drillers (NPSL)
-Resurrection:On August 23, 1996, at a hastily arranged press conference at Telus Field it was announced that Peter Pocklington has purchased the Chicago Power of the National Professional Soccer League and was moving them to Edmonton for the rapidly approaching 96/97 season...
of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) early in his professional career. Internationally, Valente has represented Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
with the under-18, under-20
Canada U-20 men's national soccer team
Canada U-20 men's national soccer team, also known as Canada Under-20s or Canada U-20s, is the youth club for national soccer in Canada. It plays a large role in the development of Canadian soccer, and is considered to be the feeder team for the Canada men's national soccer team...
and under-23 national teams.
Early life
Growing up in Burnaby, British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, a neighbouring city east of Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Valente began playing soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
at four years old. He joined the local youth and amateur Coquitlam
Coquitlam, British Columbia
Coquitlam is a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Coquitlam is mainly a suburban city, and is one of the 21 municipalities comprising Metro Vancouver. According to the 2007 Canadian Census, it is the 5th-largest city in British Columbia...
Metro-Ford Soccer Club (CMFSC) program at 12 and debuted with the men's team in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League
Vancouver Metro Soccer League
The Vancouver Metro Soccer League ' is a soccer league for men operating in British Columbia, primarily in the Lower Mainland area.-History:The league is an amateur league, and does not compete against or promote teams to the Canadian Soccer Pyramid...
's Premier division three years later.
Valente attended and graduated from Alpha Secondary School
Alpha Secondary School
Alpha Secondary is a public high school in Burnaby, British Columbia part of School District 41 Burnaby.- Academics :Alpha Secondary offers a broad range of educational programming, including Advanced Placement and Honours courses, as well as Ace-It programs...
in Burnaby, where he also played for the high school's soccer club, the Aztecs leading them to a provincial championship.
Playing career
Valente was drafted by the Vancouver 86ers (renamed to the Whitecaps in 2001) as the club's top pick in the 1998 A-League Player Draft. He made his professional debut with the 86ers at 17-years-old in the USISL A-LeagueUSL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
and scored four goals in 14 games to be named Vancouver's top rookie that year in 1998. He recorded his best season with the 86ers in 2000, leading the team in scoring with 10 goals. In 2002, Valente led Vancouver in assists with 10, finishing tied for fifth overall in the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
.
Under the leadership of head coach Bob Lilley
Bob Lilley
Robert "Bob" Lilley is an American former soccer player and head coach. He has managed the Hershey Wildcats, Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps, Detroit Ignition, and Rochester Rhinos....
, hired in 2004, Valente's playing time began to decrease. He did not get off the bench in the 2005 playoffs
United Soccer Leagues 2005
-General:* A-League renamed USL First Division.* Pro Soccer League renamed USL Second Division.* The newly renamed top two divisions each become single table....
. The next season, however, after scoring a goal and an assist in the regular season, he started the title game against the Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
; Valente helped the Whitecaps to their first USL championship, defeating Rochester 3–0. Attempting to defend the Whitecaps league title in 2007
United Soccer Leagues 2007
The 2007 Season is the 21st edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 13 when the 2006 league runners-up Rochester Raging Rhinos traveled to the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders.-General:* Two new teams join the...
, Valente appeared in 24 games, while starting in 14. Coming off the bench in the club's two playoff games, Valente and the Whitecaps were defeated in the quarterfinals.
On February 7, 2008, the Whitecaps re-signed Valente for an 11th season. At the time of the signing, he ranked seventh in Vancouver's all-time combined playoff and regular season scoring list with 32 goals and 35 assists in 234 games. As Lilley was replaced by Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic Teitur Thordarson as head coach, Valente's playing time increased, becoming a regular starter. After finishing with the second best regular season record in 2008
United Soccer Leagues 2008
The 2008 Season is the 22nd edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 12 with two First Division games, as the Charleston Battery visited Miami FC and the Montreal Impact visited the Vancouver Whitecaps.-General:...
, the Whitecaps won their second USL championship in three years, defeating the Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
2–1 at Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Central Park in Burnaby, British Columbia. Primarily used for soccer, football, and athletics, the stadium is home to the Simon Fraser Clan football team. The stadium was home to the Vancouver Whitecaps of the NASL...
on October 12, 2008. Valente was instrumental in the Whitecaps first goal in the 56th minute, directing a corner into the Islanders' box, where Charles Gbeke
Charles Gbeke
Charles Gbeke is an Ivorian-born Canadian soccer player who currently free agent.Gbeke began his career with brief stints with Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps, where he was deployed as a defender and failed to establish himself as a starter...
headed the ball in.
Several months later, Valente was released by the Whitecaps, as the club chose against his 2009
United Soccer Leagues 2009
The 2009 season is the 23rd season played by the United Soccer Leagues. Season titles will be contested by 20 professional men's clubs in the USL First Division and USL Second Division, as well as 37 professional and amateur women's clubs in the W-League and 68 professional and amateur men's teams...
contract option, on December 8, 2008, along with fellow veterans Steve Kindel
Steve Kindel
Steve Kindel is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for Surrey United Firefighters.-Club:...
, Jeff Clarke
Jeff Clarke
Jeffrey Clarke is a Canadian former professional soccer player, who is currently playing for Surrey United Firefighters and works as head coach by Surrey United Women. Clarke earned nineteen caps, scoring one goal, for the Canadian national team...
. Club president Bob Lenarduzzi
Bob Lenarduzzi
Robert Italo Lenarduzzi, OBC is a former North American Soccer League star, Canadian international, and coach of the Canadian national and olympic soccer teams. He is currently President of Vancouver Whitecaps FC...
and coach Thordarson cited "philosophical differences" for the roster changes. Valente left the Whitecaps second all-time in franchise assists. At the end of the 2008 season, Valente, Kindel and Clarke, all long-time members of the club, had voiced their concerns over Thordarson's coaching style in separate one-on-one meetings with him.
Following his release from the Whitecaps, Valente rejoined the Coquitlam Metro-Ford Wolves of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League's Premier Division in 2009. He has been involved with CMFSC, his old youth and amateur soccer club, since 2005 as youth coach and head coach of technical operations, as well.
International play
Valente has represented CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
with the under-18, under-20
Canada U-20 men's national soccer team
Canada U-20 men's national soccer team, also known as Canada Under-20s or Canada U-20s, is the youth club for national soccer in Canada. It plays a large role in the development of Canadian soccer, and is considered to be the feeder team for the Canada men's national soccer team...
and Olympic under-23 national teams. He played with Canada's U-18s for a tournament in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in March 1998 and the U-20s several months later in August 1998. The following year, he was chosen to represent Canada at the 1999 Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
in the United States. In 2000, Valente went on tour with the Canadian Olympic team in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
as a 19-year-old.
Personal life
Alfredo is married to Kristen Valente and has a son, Noah, born on December 19, 2007.Awards and accomplishments
- Named Vancouver 86ers Top Rookie in 1998.
- Led Vancouver Whitecaps in goals (10) in 2000.
- Led Vancouver Whitecaps in assists (10) in 2002.
- Won a USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
championship in 2006United Soccer Leagues 2006-General:* Miami FC joined the First Division.* The Richmond Kickers departed the First Division for the Second Division.* The Northern Virginia Royals departed the Second Division for the Premier Development League ....
and 2008United Soccer Leagues 2008The 2008 Season is the 22nd edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 12 with two First Division games, as the Charleston Battery visited Miami FC and the Montreal Impact visited the Vancouver Whitecaps.-General:...
.
Vancouver Whitecaps
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Championship (2): 2006United Soccer Leagues 2006-General:* Miami FC joined the First Division.* The Richmond Kickers departed the First Division for the Second Division.* The Northern Virginia Royals departed the Second Division for the Premier Development League ....
, 2008United Soccer Leagues 2008The 2008 Season is the 22nd edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 12 with two First Division games, as the Charleston Battery visited Miami FC and the Montreal Impact visited the Vancouver Whitecaps.-General:...