Miguel Gallardo (footballer)

Miguel Gallardo Aparicio (born October 24, 1984) is a Mexican former professional footballer who is currently a television analyst for Orlando City SC.

Miguel Gallardo
Personal information
Full name Miguel Gallardo Aparicio
Date of birth (1984-10-24) October 24, 1984
Place of birth Torreón, Mexico
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
2000–2002 Tigres
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2007 Austin Lightning 64 (0)
2008 Austin Aztex U23 13 (0)
2009–2010 Austin Aztex 43 (0)
2011–2014 Orlando City 81 (0)
2015–2016 Jacksonville Armada 15 (0)
2017–2018 Florida Tropics SC (indoor) 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 January 2019

Career

Youth and amateur

Gallardo grew up in Round Rock, Texas, and attended Westwood High School. He played club soccer for the Longhorn Soccer Club and Austin Capitals Soccer Club. Instead of attending college, Gallardo returned to his native Mexico to train with the youth academy at Tigres of the Primera División de México.

Finding opportunities in Mexico limited, Gallardo returned to the United States in 2002, subsequently playing in the USL Premier Development League for Austin Lightning. He made 64 starts in his five years with Lightning,[1][2][3][4][5] before moving on to the Aztex junior team, Austin Aztex U23 in 2008,[6] where he was named PDL Goalkeeper of the Year.[7]

Professional

Gallardo was the first player signed by the USL First Division expansion franchise Austin Aztex. He made his professional debut on April 18, 2009, in Austin's USL1 season opener against Minnesota Thunder.[8] Prior to the 2011 season, new owners purchased the club, moved it to Orlando, Florida, renamed it Orlando City and joined the USL Pro league for 2011.

Orlando City signed Gallardo to a multi-year contract on 1 September 2011.[9] He was released upon the conclusion of the 2014 season, a casualty of the club's transition to Major League Soccer.[10]

Gallardo signed with NASL expansion club Jacksonville Armada on 21 October 2014, becoming the first player on the team's roster.[11]

Miguel Gallardo was released from the Jacksonville Armada on 14 December 2016.

On February 17, 2017, Gallardo resigned with Orlando City SC of the MLS as a member of the broadcasting team.

Gallardo returned to playing professionally on July 28, 2017, by signing with Florida Tropics SC of the Major Arena Soccer League.[12]

Honours

Orlando City

References
  1. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  2. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  3. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
  4. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  5. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2010-09-24. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  6. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2013-04-04. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  7. Top PDL honors announced Archived 2011-05-05 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Aztex earn draw in debut, tie Minnesota Archived 2009-12-21 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2011-09-02.
  10. Radcliffe, Jeff (16 September 2014). "13 Orlando City players released as part of Major League Soccer transition". Bright House Sports Network. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  11. Jax Armada FC [@JaxArmadaFC] (21 October 2014). "We're proud to announce, the first player signed to the #ArmadaFC is Goalkeeper, Miguel Gallardo!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. "Tropics Announce Signings of Former USL, NASL Standouts for Upcoming Arena Season". Florida Tropics SC. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
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