Jeff Attinella
Jeff Attinella (born September 29, 1988) is an American soccer player currently playing for Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer. He is also a children's book author.
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Personal information | |||
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Date of birth | September 29, 1988 | ||
Place of birth | Clearwater, Florida, United States | ||
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
Playing position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Portland Timbers | ||
Number | 1 | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2007–2010 | South Florida Bulls | 61 | (0) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2009–2010 | Bradenton Academics | 2 | (0) |
2011–2012 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 52 | (0) |
2013–2016 | Real Salt Lake | 29 | (0) |
2013 | → Fort Lauderdale Strikers (loan) | 4 | (0) |
2016 | → Real Monarchs (loan) | 2 | (0) |
2017– | Portland Timbers | 46 | (0) |
2017– | → Portland Timbers 2 (loan) | 2 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 16, 2019 |
Career
College and amateur
Attinella is a product of the University of South Florida where he played between 2007 and 2010. He was awarded NSCAA Third Team All-Region, Hermann Trophy Watch List and Soccer America Preseason All American in 2010, NSCAA First Team All-American, Big East Goalkeeper of the Year and NSCAA All-Region First Team in 2009 and NSCAA All-Region Second Team in 2008.[1]
During his college years, Attinella also played with the Bradenton Academics of the USL Premier Development League.[2]
Professional
On January 18, 2011, Attinella was drafted in the first round (14th overall) in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft by Real Salt Lake,[3] but was released by the club without signing. Attinella signed his first professional contract with FC Tampa Bay on February 22, 2011,[4] and made his professional debut on April 30 against the Atlanta Silverbacks, coming on as a substitute when Tampa's first choice goalkeeper Daryl Sattler suffered an injury.[5]
Tampa Bay picked up the 2012 season option on Attinella's contract on October 4, 2011.[6] The 2012 NASL season proved to be a breakthrough year for Attinella, who played every minute of every match for the Rowdies, won five NASL Defensive Player of the Week awards, one NASL Player of the Month Award, and was named to the 2012 NASL Best XI. Attinella saved three penalties in the Rowdies' NASL Championship victory against Minnesota Stars FC to capture the Soccer Bowl trophy.
Following a successful second season with the Rowdies, Real Salt Lake of MLS announced that they had signed Attinella on December 3, 2012. He made his RSL debut as a second-half sub for an injured Josh Saunders in a 3–0 win against FC Dallas on July 13.
Attinella was selected by Minnesota United FC in the 2016 MLS Expansion Draft and quickly traded to Portland Timbers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.[7]
Personal life
Attinella has one daughter with his wife Kendall. Together with his wife and father-in-law, he founded a publishing company called "It Had to Be Told" to publish Attinella's children books that he describes as "nursery rhymes with a sports emphasis".[8]
Honors
Tampa Bay Rowdies
- North American Soccer League (1): 2012
Real Salt Lake
- Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (1): 2013
Portland Timbers
- Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (1): 2018
- MLS is Back Tournament: 2020[9]
References
- http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/jeff-attinella
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- http://www.mlssoccer.com/supplemental-draft-tracker
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 2, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- FC Tampa Bay Scores in Second Half for 1-1 Draw with Atlanta
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- http://www.mnufc.com/post/2016/12/20/minnesota-united-swaps-player-pick
- Goldberg, Jamie (June 17, 2018). "Portland Timbers' Jeff Attinella shares a passion for sports by authoring children's books for his daughter". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
- "Dario Zuparic goal clinches MLS Back is Tournament for Portland Timbers". The Guardian. August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.