Wálter Restrepo Uribe (born June 21, 1988) is an American-born Colombian

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

player.

Career

2006–2010

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.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers

2011

Retrepo signed with the

Fort Lauderdale Strikers Fort Lauderdale Strikers may refer to: *Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983), member of North American Soccer League from 1977 to 1983 *Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1988–1994) The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were an American soccer team establishe ...

on July 11, 2011, midway through the 2011 NASL season. He made his debut for the Strikers in a 3–0 win against

FC Edmonton FC Edmonton was a Canadian professional Association football, soccer club based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club was founded in 2010 and competed in the North American Soccer League (2011–2017), North American Soccer League (NASL) from 2011 t ...

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. 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 The Puerto Rico Islanders were a professional association football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. They played in several different leagues from 2004 to 2012, when they suspended operations. In their last two seasons they played in the Nort ...

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.

2012

In December 2011, the Strikers announced that they had picked up Restrepo's option for the 2012 season. 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 The San Antonio Scorpions were an American professional soccer team based in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 2010, the team made its debut in the North American Soccer League in 2012. The Scorpions played at Toyota Field, a soccer specific stadi ...

. A week later, he scored his first goal of the season against rivals

Tampa Bay Rowdies The Tampa Bay Rowdies are an American professional soccer team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The club was founded in 2008 and first took the pitch in 2010. Since 2017, the Rowdies have been members of the USL Championship in the second tie ...

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 WakeMed Soccer Park is a Association football, soccer complex in Cary, North Carolina, United States. It consists of a purpose-built, Soccer-specific stadium, soccer-specific main stadium named "First Horizon Stadium", two lighted practice footba ...

. 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 The Atlanta Silverbacks FC were an American professional soccer club based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1998 as Atlanta Ruckus, the club played in many leagues over the years before folding after the 2015 season. The team played its home game ...

, Restrepo scored his sixth goal of the season and extended his league-lead in assists from six to eight. On August 15, the Strikers announced that Restrepo would miss the remainder of the season after suffering an

ACL tear ACL may refer to: Aviation * IATA airport code for Aguaclara Airport in Casanare Department, Colombia Companies and organizations * ACL Cables, a cable manufacturing company in Sri Lanka * Administration for Community Living, United States, f ...

2013

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 Sir Peter Paul Rubens ( ; ; 28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat. He is considered the most influential artist of the Flemish Baroque tradition. Rubens' highly charged compositions reference erudite aspects of clas ...

in the 65th minute to a rapturous applause, sparking a comeback 1–1 tie with FC Edmonton in his 25-minute cameo. Restrepo forced what was later considered an own goal by the

New York Cosmos New York Cosmos may refer to * New York Cosmos (1970–1985), a team in the North American Soccer League (then the top-tier soccer league in the United States and Canada) * New York Cosmos (2010), a team playing since 2020 in the National Indepen ...

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.

New York Cosmos

On January 19, 2015, Restrepo signed with the

Philadelphia Union

On January 12, 2016, Restrepo signed with the

Philadelphia Union The Philadelphia Union are an American professional soccer club based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Founded on February 28, 2008, the Union began ...

for an undisclosed transfer fee. 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 Philadelphia Union II is an American professional soccer team based in Chester, Pennsylvania competing in MLS Next Pro. Founded in 2015 as Bethlehem Steel FC, the team is the official affiliate of the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer. ...

Return to New York Cosmos

On January 31, 2017, Restrepo re-signed with the

. Restrepo played 13 games for the Cosmos during the NASL's Spring Season, notching 2 goals and 2 assists.

Tampa Bay Rowdies

On July 20, he was released by New York in order to sign with the

San Antonio FC

On November 20, 2018, USL side

San Antonio FC San Antonio FC is a professional soccer club based in San Antonio, Texas. It competes in the USL Championship, the second-highest level of the United States soccer league system, as a member of the Western Conference. History San Antonio FC ...

announced the signing of Restropo.

Career statistics

Club

''Statistics accurate as of August 15, 2012''

References

External links

Fort Lauderdale Strikers bio

New York Cosmos bio

NISL bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Restrepo, Walter 1988 births Living people Colombian men's footballers American men's soccer players American sportspeople of Colombian descent Boyacá Chicó F.C. footballers Fort Lauderdale Strikers players San Antonio Scorpions players North American Soccer League (2011–2017) players New York Cosmos (2010) players Philadelphia Union players Philadelphia Union II players Categoría Primera A players USL Championship players Major League Soccer players Tampa Bay Rowdies players Men's association football midfielders San Antonio FC players