Stefano Rijssel

Rijssel began his career with SV Leo Victor and Inter Moengotapoe, both of Suriname's Hoofdklasse. After being the league's top scorer with SV Leo Victor with 14 goals during the 2010–2011 season,{{cite web|title=Stefano Rijssel vertrekt van Leo Victor naar Inter Moengotapoe|url=http://www.sportxmagazine.com/2011/10/13/stefano-rijssel-vertrekt-van-leo-victor-naar-inter-moengotapoe/#respond|publisher=sportxmagazine.com|accessdate=9 January 2014|language=Dutch}} in April 2011 Rijssel was offered a two-week trial with Belgium's Germinal Beerschot but ultimately was not signed by the club.{{cite web|title=Stefano Rijssel voor stage naar België|url=http://www.natiosuriname.com/2011/04/stefano-rijssel-voor-stage-naar-belgie.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217014611/http://www.natiosuriname.com/2011/04/stefano-rijssel-voor-stage-naar-belgie.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=17 December 2013|publisher=Natio Suriname|accessdate=25 October 2012}} It was reported that Rijssel made a favorable impression with the club, particularly with his ability to adapt to the difference in the level of play between the Suriname league and the Belgian league over the two-week period, but was unable to set himself apart from the attackers already on the roster, particularly considering the poor financial situation of the club at the time.{{cite web|title=Geen Belgisch profcontract voor voetballer Stefano Rijssel|url=http://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/5573|publisher=Star Nieuws|accessdate=22 January 2014|language=Dutch}} Also in 2010–2011, Rijssel scored 4 goals in 3 matches for Leo Victor in the 2010 CFU Club Championship but that was not enough to help his club advance to the second round of the competition. After returning home from Belgium and playing a season for Inter Moengotapoe, Rijssel signed for W Connection on a 3-year contract in July 2012 after impressing the club at the 2012 CFU Club Championship with Inter. In this competition, Rijssel tallied 4 goals in the first round before being eliminated by Antigua Barracuda, Victory Sportif Club, and W Connection.{{cite web|title=Rijssel krijgt toestemming voor interlands Natio|url=http://www.natiosuriname.com/2012/08/rijssel-krijgt-toestemming-voor.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217014819/http://www.natiosuriname.com/2012/08/rijssel-krijgt-toestemming-voor.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=17 December 2013|publisher=Natio Suriname|accessdate=25 October 2012}}

By signing for W Connection, Rijssel became the only fully professional footballer representing Suriname internationally at that time. During his first season with W Connection, Rijssel made two appearances against C.D. Guadalajara of Mexico and one appearance against Club Xelajú MC of Guatemala in the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League.{{cite web|title=Stefano Rijssel BIO|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/166121/stefano-rijssel?cc=5901|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102212632/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/166121/stefano-rijssel?cc=5901|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2013|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|accessdate=25 October 2012}} During the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League, Rijssel made three appearances in the group stage including two against CD Árabe Unido of Panama and one against the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer. On 6 September 2013, Rijssel scored W Connection's fourth goal in a 4–2 victory over Defence Force F.C. in the 2013 Trinidad and Tobago Charity Shield, an annual match between the previous season's league winner and the winner of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro Bowl.{{cite web|title=Arcia nets twice as W Connection retains Digicel Charity Shield|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/competitions/competition-news/charity-shield/12849-arcia-nets-twice-as-w-connection-retains-digicel-charity-shield.html|publisher=socawarriors.net|accessdate=8 January 2014}} After being out for months because of injury, Rijssel returned to league action on 7 December 2013 as a second-half substitute against Central FC. He marked his return with a 78th-minute strike, the game-winner in the 1–0 victory.{{cite web|title=W Connection still unbeaten|url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/W-Connection-still-unbeaten-234990831.html|publisher=Trinidad Express|accessdate=18 December 2013}} In total, Rijssel amassed 16 league appearances for the Trinidadian club, scoring 9 goals and 1 goal international.{{cite web|title=Sounders FC Selects Stefano Rijssel & Fabio Pereira in MLS SuperDraft|url=http://www.soundersfc.com/news/articles/2014/01-january/sounders-fc-selects-rijssel-and-pereira-in-mls-superdraft.aspx|publisher=Seattle Sounders FC|accessdate=21 January 2014}}

Rijssel became the MVP of the 2014 Trinidad and Tobago Pro Bowl after scoring 2 goals in the final.

In December 2013, it was announced that Rijssel was one of 23 Caribbean players selected to participate in the 2014 Caribbean Combine, with hopes of participating in the 2014 MLS Combine and being selected in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.{{cite web|title=MLS invites 24 players from 16 countries to first-ever Caribbean Player Combine|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/12/16/mls-invites-24-players-16-countries-first-ever-caribbean-player-combine|publisher=Major League Soccer|accessdate=16 December 2013}} Following the 3-day event, Rijssel was one of only two players selected to participate in the MLS Combine from 10 to 14 January in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, along with Quintón Christina of Curaçao,{{cite web|title=Historic CFU MLS Combine Comes to an End|url=http://antiguafootball.com/news/historic-cfu-mls-combine-comes-to-an-end/|publisher=Antigua and Barbuda Football Association|accessdate=8 January 2014}} because of their "impressive play".{{cite web|title=Major League Soccer signs 3 defenders to Generation adidas deals, capping 2014 class at 7|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2014/news/article/2014/01/08/major-league-soccer-signs-three-defenders-generation-adidas-deals-capping-20|publisher=Major League Soccer|accessdate=8 January 2014}} During the combine, Rijssel started the match on Day 1 but was an unused substitute on Day 2 with representatives from the Columbus Crew and reigning champions Sporting Kansas City making contact with the player.{{cite web|title=Stefano Rijssel en el MLS Combine 2014: "ES IMPORTANTE PARA ELLOS EL FUTBOLISTA DE SURINAM"|date=13 January 2014|url=http://surinamfutbol.blogspot.com/2014/01/stefano-rijssel-en-el-mls-combine-2014.html|publisher=Surinam Futbol|accessdate=14 January 2014|language=Spanish}} Following the combine, Rijssel's performance was described as, "...showed plenty of mobility and enterprise. Yet can be erratic and out of control".{{cite web|last=Borg|first=Simon|title=SuperDraft: The best players available for Tuesday's Rounds 3 & 4|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2014/news/article/2014/01/20/superdraft-two-rounds-books-heres-best-rest-tuesdays-rounds-3-and-4|publisher=Major League Soccer|accessdate=20 January 2014}}

Rijssel was not drafted during rounds 1 and 2 of the first day of the draft. However, he was identified as one of the best players available going into the third and fourth rounds. On 21 January 2014, Rijssel was selected in the 3rd round, 55th overall, by Seattle Sounders FC becoming the first player from the Caribbean Combine to ever be drafted.{{cite web|title=2014 Draft Tracker|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2014/tracker#third-round|publisher=Major League Soccer|accessdate=21 January 2014}}{{cite web|title=SuperDraft: Caribbean Combine star Stefano Rijssel highlights picks in Rounds 3, 4|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2014/news/article/2014/01/21/superdraft-caribbean-combine-star-stefano-rijssel-highlights-picks-rounds-3-|publisher=Major League Soccer|accessdate=21 January 2014}} After drafting Rijssel, Sounders' assistant coach and scout Kurt Schmid said, "he showed good tactical sense as well as physical qualities. He can play wide in midfield but also has some versatility". It was then reported that Rijssel would attend the opening of Seattle's training camp scheduled for four days after the draft but was still under contract with W Connection so a deal for a loan or purchase of the player would have to be negotiated.{{cite web|last=Mayers|first=Joshua|title=Sounders draft two internationals as camp set to open|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2022721467_sounders22xml.html?syndication=rss|work=The Seattle Times|accessdate=22 January 2014}} After Rijssel was drafted by Seattle, W Connection owner David John Williams told Caribbean media that Rijssel was allowed to go to Seattle for training before a deal for the player had been made. However, he stated that MLS officials had already contacted him to establish parameters for a transfer if Seattle decided to sign Rijssel and that an offer would be made after the two-week training camp was finished.{{cite web|last=Liburd|first=Lasana|title=Seattle drafts Connection's Rijssel; déjà vu for young Warriors|date=22 January 2014|url=http://wired868.com/2014/01/22/seattle-drafts-connections-rijssel-deja-vu-for-young-warriors/|publisher=wired868.com|accessdate=28 January 2014}} Before departing for preseason camp in Arizona, Rijssel earned the fastest time for the 30-meter dash during club fitness tests.{{cite web|last=Mayers|first=Joshua|title=Sounders FC's fitness test results|url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundersfc/2014/01/31/sounders-fcs-fitness-test-results/|work=The Seattle Times|accessdate=4 February 2014}} Following the club's return to Seattle, it was announced that Rijssel had been cut and was no longer with the team.{{cite web|last=Mayers|first=Joshua|title=Wednesday notes: Danny O'Rourke joins training camp, first cuts made|url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundersfc/2014/02/12/wednesday-notes-danny-orourke-joins-camp-first-cuts-made/|work=The Seattle Times|accessdate=13 February 2014}}

In August 2014, it was announced that Rijssel was transferred back to Inter Moengotapoe from W Connection for a record $20,000 USD. Rijssel stated that he had not felt comfortable with the Trinidadian club since his failed transfer to Seattle Sounders FC and that he felt W Connection was to blame.{{cite web|last1=Balsemhof|first1=Marinio|title=nter Moengotapoe haalt Stefano Rijssel voor US 20.000|url=http://www.dwtonline.com/laatste-nieuws/2014/08/22/inter-moengotapoe-haalt-stefano-rijssel-voor-us-20000/|publisher=dwtonline.com|accessdate=25 August 2014|language=Dutch}}

In 2018 Rijssel was crowned the top scorer of the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield with six goals in four matches. Inter Moengotapoe won silver in the competition, being defeated by Club Franciscain of Martinique in the final. Rijssel missed the final due to injury.{{cite web|last1=Oosterwolde|first1=Terrence|title=Inter Moengotapoe verliest amateurfinale Caribisch clubkampioenschap|url=http://www.dwtonline.com/laatste-nieuws/2018/04/22/inter-moengotapoe-verliest-amateurfinale-caribisch-clubkampioenschap/#ixzz5DPUGxNFr|publisher=DWT Online|accessdate=22 April 2018|language=Dutch}}

In late August, Rijssel announced he would be moving to 2018 League champions S.V. Robinhood.{{cite web |title=Stefano Rijssel naar Robinhood |url=https://www.srnieuws.com/suriname/240251/stefano-rijssel-naar-robinhood/ |publisher=srnieuws.com |accessdate=5 August 2019 |language=Dutch}} Toward the end of the 2018–19 SVB Topklasse season, Rijssel was one of the top scorers in the league with 12 goals.{{cite web |title=SVB Eerste Divisie uitslag 10 juli en vervolgschema 27e speelronde |url=https://smesport.com/home/voetbal/eerste-divisie/item/18987-svb-eerste-divisie-uitslag-10-juli-en-vervolgschema-27e-speelronde |publisher=smesport.com |accessdate=5 August 2019 |language=Dutch}} He competed with the club in the 2019 Caribbean Club Shield. He scored four total goals, including a hattrick against Aruban club SV Dakota.{{cite web |last1=Soeltan |first1=Rasjied |title=De uitblinker van sv Robinhood |url=http://www.qn-sports.com/stefano-rijssel-de-uitblinker-van-sv-robinhood/ |publisher=qn-sports.com |accessdate=5 August 2019 |language=Dutch}} The club went on to defeat Club Franciscain of Martinique in the final to win the championship.{{cite web |title=Robinhood edges Club Franciscain to win 2019 Caribbean Club Shield |url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/caribbean-club-shield/article/robinhood-edges-club-franciscain-to-win-2019-caribbean-club-shield |publisher=CONCACAF |accessdate=5 August 2019}} The team then went on to defeat Real Hope FA of Haiti in a play-off match to qualify for the preliminary round of the 2019 CONCACAF League.{{cite web |title=Robinhood tops Real Hope in penalty shootout to reach the 2019 SCL |url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/concacaf-caribbean-club-championship/articles/robinhood-tops-real-hope-in-penalty-shootout-to-reach-2019-scl |publisher=CONCACAF |accessdate=5 August 2019}} Rijssel earned the competition's topscorer award consecutively.{{cite web |title=Looking back on the 2019 Caribbean Club Shield |url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/article/un-vistazo-al-concacaf-caribbean-club-shield-2019 |publisher=CONCACAF |accessdate=5 August 2019}}

In July 2019 it was announced by Suriname national team head coach Dean Gorré that Rijssel had gone on trial with an unidentified club in Belgium while other sources reported he was actually on trial in the Netherlands.{{cite web |title=Natio vertrekt zondag naar Nederland |date=28 July 2019 |url=https://dagbladdewest.com/2019/07/27/natio-vertrekt-zondag-naar-nederland/ |publisher=dagbladdewest.com |accessdate=5 August 2019 |language=Dutch}}{{cite web |title=Surinamese in Diaspora help realize Natio training camp |url=http://www.dwtonline.com/laatste-nieuws/2019/07/28/surinamers-in-diaspora-helpen-natio-trainingskamp-realiseren// |publisher=DWT Online |accessdate=5 August 2019 |language=Dutch}} The player previously trialed in Belgium with Beerschot A.C. in 2011. The trial meant that Rijssel would miss Robinhood's CONCACAF League away fixture against AS Capoise in Haiti after earning a 0–0 draw at home in the first leg.{{cite web |last1=Soeltan |first1=Rasjied |title=Robinhood richting Haiti voor plaatsing naar volgende ronde |url=http://www.qn-sports.com/robinhood-richting-haiti-voor-plaatsing-naar-volgende-ronde/ |publisher=qn-sports.com |accessdate=6 August 2019 |language=Dutch}}

He eventually signed for Nieuw Utrecht of the Dutch Tweede Klasse in 2020.{{cite web |title=Ruime zege RODA'23 tegen Nieuw Utrecht |url=https://www.voetbalinaalsmeer.nl/roda-utrecht.php |publisher=voetbalinalsmeer.nl |accessdate=17 October 2020 |language=Dutch}}

Rijssel was a key figure in Suriname's qualification for the 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championship held in Guatemala, scoring 7 goals in 5 matches. This was the first time that Suriname qualified for the tournament since the 1990 edition.{{cite web|title=U.S. U-20 MNT Ready for Opening Match of CONCACAF U-20 Championship|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-20-MNT/2011/03/US-U20-MNT-Ready-for-Opening-Match-of-CONCACAF-U20-Championship.aspx?print=true|publisher=US Soccer Federation|access-date=8 January 2014}} His tally of 7 goals made him second top scorer in qualifying, only one behind the leader.{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Noah|title=US U-20s heavily favored against Suriname|url=http://www.thecrew.com/news/2011/03/us-u-20s-heavily-favored-against-suriname|publisher=Columbus Crew|access-date=8 January 2014}} However, Rijssel was held scoreless in losses against the United States and Panama in the final round of the tournament and Suriname failed to qualify for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Rijssel made his first senior appearance for Suriname on 13 October 2010 in a 2–1 victory over the Netherlands Antilles national football team in the 2010 Caribbean Championship. His first goal came only two days later in 2–1 victory over Saint Lucia in the same tournament,{{cite web|title=Stefano Rijssel Caps/Goals|url=http://caribbeanfootballdatabase.com/suriname/players/stefanorijssel.html|publisher=Caribbean Football Database|access-date=25 October 2012}} scoring only 14 minutes into the match. Rijssel has worn the #9 on his national jersey,{{cite web|title=Suriname vs. Cayman Islands|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/nccamerica/matches/round=258361/match=300172505/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121174800/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/nccamerica/matches/round=258361/match=300172505/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 November 2011|publisher=FIFA|access-date=8 January 2014}} the number typically reserved for a player who is the team's pure goal scorer and target striker.{{cite web|last=Carrick|first=Buzz|title=The Thing About The Thing About Numbers, Redeaux, Redeaux|url=http://soccerblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/the-thing-about-numbers-redeaux.html/|publisher=dallasnews.com|access-date=8 January 2014}}

:Scores and results list Surinames's goal tally first.{{cite web|title=Stefano Rijssel Profile|url=http://caribbeanfootballdatabase.com/suriname/players/stefanorijssel.html|publisher=Caribbean Football Database|access-date=18 December 2013}}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{updated|23 March 2019.}}{{cite web |url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/40352.html |title=Stefano Rijssel |website=National-Football-Teams.com }}

Inter Moengotapoe{{cite web|title=Surinam – List of Champions|website=RSSSF|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/surichamp.html|accessdate=10 January 2014}}

• Hoofdklasse: 2014–15, 2015–16; runner-up: 2011–12

W Connection

• TT Pro League: 2012
• Trinidad and Tobago Charity Shield: 2013
• Trinidad and Tobago Pro Bowl: 2014

SV Robinhood

• Caribbean Club Shield: 2019

individual

• SVB Topklasse Top Scorer: 2010–11
• Trinidad and Tobago Pro Bowl MVP: 2014
• CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield Top Scorer: 2018, 2019

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{MLS player|stefano-rijssel}}
• {{FIFA|347838}}
• {{Soccerway|stefano-rijssel/122805}}
• [http://caribbeanfootballdatabase.com/suriname/players/stefanorijssel.html Caribbean Football Database Profile]
• [http://nationalfootballteams.com/player/40325/Stefano_Rijssel.html National Football Teams profile]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rijssel, Stefano}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:Surinamese men's footballers

Category:Suriname men's international footballers

Category:Suriname men's under-20 international footballers

Category:Surinamese expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Trinidad and Tobago

Category:SVB Eerste Divisie players

Category:S.V. Leo Victor players

Category:Inter Moengotapoe players

Category:TT Pro League players

Category:W Connection F.C. players

Category:Seattle Sounders FC draft picks

Category:Surinamese expatriate sportspeople in Trinidad and Tobago

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Surinamese expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands

Category:Tweede Klasse players