Ricky Garbanzo

Ricky Garbanzo

Personal information
Full name	Ricardo Garbanzo
Date of birth	(1992-08-26) August 26, 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth	San Jose, Costa Rica
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Charleston Battery
Number	17
Youth career
2011–2014	Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014	K-W United	12	(1)
2015–2017	Charleston Battery	79	(9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 17, 2017

Ricardo "Ricky" Garbanzo (born August 26, 1992) is a Costa Rican-American soccer player who last played for Charleston Battery in the USL.

Career

College and amateur

Garbanzo moved to United States at age 7 and grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina.[1] Garbanzo played soccer at Northwestern High School with future Battery teammate Shawn Ferguson. Garbanzo played college soccer at Coastal Carolina University, making a total of 94 appearances for the Chanticleers and tallying 40 goals and 21 assists.

Garbanzo also played for K-W United FC in the Premier Development League.[2]

Professional

On December 31, 2014, it was announced that Garbanzo would take part in Major League Soccer's player combine.[3] However, he went undrafted in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Following the draft he joined his hometown club Charleston Battery for training camp and earned a professional contract in March.

On March 21, 2015, he made his professional debut for the Battery in a 3–2 victory over Toronto FC II.[4] During his rookie season Garbanzo became a first choice starter as a second striker behind teammate Dane Kelly, tallying 5 goals and 5 assists in 27 league appearances. Garbanzo plays as a defensive forward and is known for his hard-working and aggressive style of play, with manager Mike Anhaeuser nicknaming Garbanzo "Tricky Ricky" for his clever running and ability to provoke opponents.[5] Following the season he was voted the club's newcomer of the year by fans.

His contract was not renewed following the 2017 season.

References

1. "Ricky Garbanzo". Coastal Carolina University Communications Department. Coastal Carolina University. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
2. "2014 K-W United FC stats". USLPDL.com. Premier Development League. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
3. "Ricky Garbanzo Headed To MLS Combine". GoCCUSports.com. Coastal Carolina University Athletics. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
4. Conover, Dan (21 March 2015). "Mueller gives Battery dramatic 3-2 win". CharlestonBattery.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
5. "Battery Welcome City Islanders To Blackbaud". USLSoccer.com. United Soccer League. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.

External links

• Coastal Carolina Chanticleers bio