Andres Arango

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Andres Arango

| image = Andres-Arango.jpg

| caption = Arango in 2009

| fullname = Andrés Arango

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|4|23}}

| birth_place = Medellín, Colombia

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}

| position = Defender

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2001

| youthclubs1 = Humber Hawks

| years1 = 2002

| clubs1 = York Region Shooters

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2003

| clubs2 = Montreal Impact

| caps2 = 2

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2004–2006

| clubs3 = Toronto Lynx

| caps3 = 69

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2007

| clubs4 = Montreal Impact

| caps4 = 21

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2008–2009

| clubs5 = Minnesota Thunder

| caps5 = 37

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2010

| clubs6 = NSC Minnesota Stars

| caps6 = 28

| goals6 = 1

| years7 = 2011–2013

| clubs7 = Tampa Bay RowdiesFormerly known as FC Tampa Bay through 2011.

| caps7 = 41

| goals7 = 2

| nationalyears1 = 2002–2003

| nationalteam1 = Canada U20

| nationalcaps1 = 17

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2002–2003

| nationalteam2 = Canada U23

| nationalcaps2 = 3

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| medaltemplates =

| manageryears1 = 2020–2021

| managerclubs1 = Rowdies U23

| manageryears2 = 2022–

| managerclubs2 = Florida Premier FC

| pcupdate = June 17, 2022

| ntupdate = April 13, 2018

}}

Andres Arango (born April 23, 1983) is a former soccer player who played in the Canadian Professional Soccer League, USL A-League, and the North American Soccer League. Arango is currently a coach with Florida Premier FC in the United Premier Soccer League. Born in Colombia, he represented Canada at youth level as a player.

Club career

=Youth and College=

Arango moved from his native Colombia to Canada with his parents as a young child.{{cite web |url=http://rednationonline.ca/RedNationInterviewSeriesAndresArango.aspx |last=Vujcic |first=Djuradj |agency=RedNation Online |title=RedNation Interview Series: Andres Arango |access-date=2024-11-27 |date=2012-04-26 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123160752/http://rednationonline.ca/RedNationInterviewSeriesAndresArango.aspx |archive-date=23 January 2024 |url-status=}}{{Cite news |last=Desormeau |first=Gerry |date=July 6, 2001 |title=Young soccer players learning from former World Cup player |pages=C1 |work=North Bay Nugget}} He played college soccer for Humber College where he won the Provincial and National Championship and was voted MVP of the national tournament.{{Cite news |last=Briggs |first=Scott |date=November 6, 2013 |title=Seawolves set to square off with Ontario champs |pages=B8 |work=Saint John Telegraph-Journal}}

=Early career=

Arango began his career in 2002 with the York Region Shooters in the Canadian Professional Soccer League.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cpsl.ca/gallery/york_shooters.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030120163848/http://www.cpsl.ca/gallery/york_shooters.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-01-20|title=CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League|date=2003-01-20|access-date=2016-12-27}}{{Cite news |last=Hickey |first=Pat |date=April 25, 2003 |title=Impact faces tough challenge in opener |pages=C3 |work=Montreal Gazette}} In 2003, he signed with the Montreal Impact of the USL A-League.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Randy |date=March 11, 2003 |title=Impact will hold line on prices |pages=C7 |work=Montreal Gazette}}{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Randy |date=April 1, 2003 |title=Rookie shows strong side |pages=C6 |work=Montreal Gazette}} After failing to break into the starting lineup he was traded in the off-season to league rivals the Toronto Lynx in exchange for veteran defender Mauricio Vincello.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=February 25, 2004 |title=Argentinean defender Mauricio Vincello joins Impact in return for Andres Arango |url=https://en.cfmontreal.com/news/argentinean-defender-mauricio-vincello-joins-impact-return-andres-arango |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=CF Montréal |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Michael |date=May 12, 2004 |title=Wilde season is in store for Lynx; New coach says young team will be entertaining $5 million in debt and still hanging in with A- League |pages=C9 |work=Toronto Star}}

The trade to Toronto provided Arango with more playing time opportunities as he played in 22 games throughout the season. He recorded his first goal for Toronto on July 18, 2004, versus Calgary Mustangs.{{Cite web |date=July 18, 2004 |title=Lynx Top Mustangs - Gerba delivers in OT |url=http://www.uslfans.com/news/2004/news,2004,0207.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614022630/http://www.uslfans.com/news/2004/news,2004,0207.shtml |archive-date=June 14, 2006 |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=uslfans.com}} He re-signed with Toronto for the 2005 season.{{Cite news |last=DiVeronica |first=Jeff |date=August 13, 2005 |title=Coach finds right combo |pages=29 |work=Democrat and Chronicle}} At the conclusion of the season, he was named the club's Defensive Player of the Year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports05/05lynx1p.htm|title=September 5, 2005 USL Toronto Lynx vs Minnesota Thunder (by Rocket Robin)|last=Glover|first=Robin|date=|website=www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|publisher=|access-date=2016-12-27}}{{Cite news |last=Hickey |first=Mike |date=March 5, 2007 |title=Impact sign Brazilian scorer: Montreal games to be shown on Internet |pages=14 |work=Montreal Gazette}} In 2006, he returned to Toronto for the third and final season with the club.{{Cite news |last=Winer |first=David |date=April 27, 2006 |title=Soccer Lynx still alive and kicking |work=Mississauga News}} During the 2006 season, he was named Toronto Lynx Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year.{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2006 |title=Lynx Close 10th Season on High Note |url=http://www.lynxsoccer.com/site.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021184433/http://www.lynxsoccer.com/site.html |archive-date=October 21, 2006 |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=lynxsoccer.com}} He also played in the 2006 Open Canada Cup final where Toronto finished as runners up to Ottawa St. Anthony Italia.{{Cite web |title=2006 CSL season |url=https://canadiansoccerleague.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2006CSL_Season-1.pdf |access-date=March 26, 2022 |website=canadiansoccerleague.ca}}

= Montreal Impact =

After the relegation of Toronto to the Premier Development League in 2007, he returned to his former club the Montreal Impact on a two-year deal.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Randy |date=April 21, 2007 |title=USL title or bust for Impact; 'We've built a franchise with high expectations,' captain Biello says |pages=D1 |work=Montreal Gazette}} Originally Toronto FC of the Major League Soccer expressed interest in Arango but instead chose Montreal as his final decision.{{Cite news |date=March 2, 2007 |title=Impact hopes to remain Canada's best |pages=B2 |work=Alberni Valley Times}} In the initial stages of the season, he assisted Montreal in achieving an eight-game undefeated streak.{{Cite news |last=Meagher |first=John |date=June 9, 2007 |title=Goalless Impact's unbeaten streak over; Timbers 1, Impact 0; Penalty kick decider |pages=C1 |work=Montreal Gazette}} Throughout the season he aided Montreal in successfully winning the 2007 Voyageurs Cup.{{Cite news |last=Hickey |first=Mike |date=December 10, 2007 |title=Impact re-sign MVP Di Lorenzo; Has shown 'great qualities' |pages=13 |work=The Record}}

= United States =

In 2008, he played abroad in the United States as league rivals Minnesota Thunder signed him along with former Impact teammate Frederico Moojen.[http://usl1.uslsoccer.com/transactions/243112.html Thunder add pair from Montreal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720064052/http://usl1.uslsoccer.com/transactions/243112.html|date=July 20, 2008}}{{Cite news |last=Weber |first=Marc |date=April 25, 2008 |title=Arze kicks off season strong; Alumnus formed early skills with legendary club |pages=A53 |work=The Province}} He re-signed with Minnesota for the 2009 season.{{Cite news |date=April 10, 2009 |title=Season Preview |pages=F5 |work=Vancouver Sun}} In 2010, the Minnesota Thunder folded and was succeeded by NSC Minnesota Stars where he was granted a contract on February 25, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.nscsports.org/news-info/media_info/releases/stars_signings.htm |title=National Sports Center News/Information |accessdate=2010-02-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224173248/http://www.nscsports.org/news-info/media_info/releases/stars_signings.htm |archivedate=2010-12-24 }}{{Cite news |last=Weber |first=Marc |date=April 12, 2010 |title=Caps have fun going to attack; After listless 1st half, Vancouver peppers Minnesota backup in final 45 |pages=A33 |work=The Province}} In his debut season with Minnesota, he served as the team captain.{{Cite news |last=Manganello |first=Mike |date=July 24, 2011 |title=Unbeaten run ends at four matches |pages=38 |work=Tampa Tribune}} After a single season with Minnesota Stars, he had his contract terminated in early 2011.{{Cite news |date=February 22, 2011 |title=Soccer - North American Soccer League |pages=8 |work=Burlington Free Press}}

Arango signed a two-year contract with FC Tampa Bay of the North American Soccer League in 2011.{{Cite web |date=21 February 2011 |title=FC Tampa Bay Continues Player Spree |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4156892}}{{Cite news |last=Manganello |first=Mike |date=April 9, 2011 |title=It's a whole new season |pages=26 |work=Tampa Tribune}} He made his debut for Tampa on April 23, 2011, against former club Montreal Impact.{{Cite news |last=Manganello |first=Michael |date=April 24, 2011 |title=FC Tampa Bay plays to 0-0 tie |pages=27 |work=Tampa Tribune}} In 2012, he assisted Tampa Bay in winning the NASL Championship after defeating Minnesota Stars in a two-game series.{{Cite news |last=Burns |first=Bryan |date=October 31, 2012 |title=It feels like 1975 all over again |pages=T51 |work=Tampa Bay Times}} He re-signed with Tampa Bay for the 2013 season.{{Cite news |last=Boyle |first=Chris |date=March 10, 2013 |title=O'Connor's drought ends |pages=C9 |work=Orlando Sentinel}}{{Cite web |date=2013-01-14 |title=Rowdies Sign Defender Andres Arango |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rowdies-sign-defender-andres-arango/n-4534039 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=OurSports Central |language=en}} Following the 2013 NASL season, Arango announced his retirement on March 1, 2014.

International career

Arango also featured for the Canadian U20 team that made it to the quarter-finals in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.{{Cite web|url=http://www.canadasoccer.com/?t=profile&pid=227|title=Canada Soccer|website=www.canadasoccer.com|access-date=2016-12-27}} He played in the quarterfinal match where Spain eliminated Canada from the tournament.{{Cite news |last=Davidson |first=Neil |date=December 13, 2004 |title=Canada falls to Spain on golden goal |pages=S4 |work=The Globe and Mail}}

Managerial career

In January 2020, Arango was announced as the head coach for the Tampa Bay Rowdies U23 USL League Two side.{{cite web |date=15 January 2020 |title=Tampa Bay Rowdies Add U23 Team in USL League Two |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/news_article/show/1077966 |website=USLLeagueTwo.com |accessdate=15 January 2020}} Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the season was canceled and the team was replaced by Tampa Bay United SC.{{Cite web |last=Nutting |first=Jake |date=January 28, 2021 |title=Rowdies Halt Plans for USL League Two and WPSL Programs, Will Re-{{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|evalute}} for 2022 |url=https://theunsubs.soccer/rowdies-halt-plans-for-usl-league-two-and-wpsl-programs-will-re-evalute-for-2022/ |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=theunsubs.soccer|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220221935/https://theunsubs.soccer/rowdies-halt-plans-for-usl-league-two-and-wpsl-programs-will-re-evalute-for-2022/|archive-date=2021-02-20 }}