Rafael Díaz (footballer)

Rafael Díaz (footballer)
Rafael Alejandro Díaz (born 8 October 1991) is a Dominican professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Dominican Republic national team.
Career
Youth and college
Díaz played club soccer for PDA in New Jersey. Díaz also played college soccer for St. John’s University from 2010 to 2013. While with the Red Storm he was a four-year starter and made 72 appearances and recorded a school record 32 shutouts.
During his college career Díaz also played with USL PDL side Jersey Express S.C., making 11 appearances as a starter during the 2012 season .
Professional
Coming out of St. John's Díaz was considered one of top Goalkeeper prospects in the country.
On 20 March 2014 Díaz signed his first professional contract with USL Pro side Orlando City SC. Díaz made his first team debut with Orlando on 14 May 2014 coming on as a late game substitute for Carl Woszczynski in a 4-1 U.S. Open Cup victory over Ocala Stampede.
Díaz went on trial with Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls during the 2015 preseason. He caught the attention of the club and signed with New York Red Bulls II for the 2015 season and made the game day roster for the side in its first ever match on 28 March 2015 which ended in a 0-0 draw with Rochester Rhinos. On 12 April 2015 he made his debut with the club coming on as a late game substitute in a match against Wilmington Hammerheads FC. On 18 April 2015 Díaz made his debut as a starter for New York Red Bulls II in a 1-1 draw against the Charleston Battery.
On 17 April 2016 Díaz made his season debut for New York in a scoreless draw against the defending league champion Rochester Rhinos. His performance that day earned him USL Team of the Week honors.
On 24 January 2017 the New York Red Bulls announced that Díaz had been signed to an MLS contract after two years with the reserve team.
On 6 February 2018 Díaz signed with Sacramento Republic FC for the 2018 season.
On 4 February 2021 Díaz signed with USL Championship expansion team Monterey Bay FC for the 2021 season. Díaz was included in the starting 11 for Monterey Bay's inaugural match, a 4-2 loss to Phoenix Rising FC. His contract option was declined by the club at the end of the season.
Career statistics
Honors
New York Red Bulls II
USL Cup: 2016
References
External links
redstormsports.com player profile
newyorkredbulls.com
1991 births
Living people
Dominican Republic men's footballers
Men's association football goalkeepers
Dominican Republic men's international footballers
Dominican Republic emigrants to the United States
Naturalized citizens of the United States
People from Rockaway, New Jersey
Soccer players from Morris County, New Jersey
American men's soccer players
St. John's Red Storm men's soccer players
Jersey Express S.C. players
Orlando City SC (2010–2014) players
New York Red Bulls II players
New York Red Bulls players
Sacramento Republic FC players
USL League Two players
National Premier Soccer League players
USL Championship players
United States men's youth international soccer players
United States men's under-20 international soccer players
American sportspeople of Dominican Republic descent
Monterey Bay FC players