Bryan Lopez

Bryan Steven López González (born 12 June 1988 in Queens, New York, USA) is an American soccer goalkeeper of Paraguayan descent who currently plays for Clarkstown SC Eagles in the National Premier Soccer League.^[2][3]

He is son of former Paraguayan footballer, Pedro López, who played for the Paraguayan national football team during the 1980s. López is the first American to play professional football in Paraguay and in the Copa Libertadores, having previously played for Sportivo Luqueño, Fernando de la Mora, Presidente Hayes and Sportivo San Lorenzo.

Lopez was the second Paraguayan American to play football in Paraguay, which had been preceded by Jerry Laterza (1994–1995).

Career

Sportivo Luqueño

U19 Youth Team

López participated in the APF's U19 Torneo Juvenil in 2007 and featured in Sportivo Luqueño's first victory of the Apertura, which came against Club Guaraní. The ABC Newspaper reported that in the balanced game that ended in a 1-0 victory in favor of Sportivo Luqueño, in injury time the North American goalkeeper Bryan Lopez had a big intervention and saved a penalty executed by Adrian Benítez.^[4]

First–Team

2007–2013

Sportivo Luqueño qualified for the 2008 Copa Libertadores after being crowned the 2007 Apertura champion of the 2007 Paraguayan Primera Division season.

On 10 March 2008, Ultima Hora reported that coach Daniel Lanata and goalkeeper Bryan Lopez had an argument which resulted in the coach dropping the goalkeeper to the lower category. Following this, the goalkeeper announced that he would not return to the club.^[5] One month later, Lopez participated in one 2008 Copa Libertadores fixture, a 3–1 home loss against Colombian club, Atlético Nacional, on 11 April 2008, where he played a full 90-minutes for his side.^[6][7] Sportivo Luqueño finished in third position in their respective group, with 8 points, one point shy of second place.

Lopez made his first appearance in the 2012 season in a 1–0 away loss against Club Libertad on 12 February.^[8] He made his second appearance in the 2012 season in a 1–3 home loss against Independiente de Campo Grande on 18 March, playing a full-90 minutes and receiving a yellow card in the 9th minute.^[9] On 13 January 2013, it was reported by ABC that Lopez had departed Sportivo Luqueño, lamenting that football in Paraguay is handled under an atmosphere of greed and evil, consisting of coaches that do not allow the professional growth of young players. He also thanked Sportivo Luqueño for all of their support provided for more than 10 years.^[10]

Presidente Hayes

On 10 August 2013, Lopez featured in a 2–0 home victory against Cristobal Colón in Paraguay's third division.^[11]

Sportivo San Lorenzo

In January 2014, it was announced that Lopez had joined Club Sportivo San Lorenzo for the 2014 Paraguayan Division Intermedia season.^[12]

Clarkstown Eagles

Lopez joined Clarkstown Eagles for the 2015 NPSL season. The team were crowned champions of the Keystone Conference, finishing in first position having conceded only five goals as Lopez earned seven clean sheets of the campaign.^[13] The team subsequently qualified for the 2015 NPSL Northeast Region playoffs. Clarkstown Eagles were defeated in the Region Final by New York Cosmos B, who eventually went on to win the National Final. Lopez had conceded two goals in the first half of the match as New York Cosmos B won 2–0.^[14]

Career statistics

Club

Statistics accurate as of 16 October 2013

Personal life

Lopez was born in the United States of America to Paraguayan parents. His father, Pedro, played for the Paraguayan clubs Guaraní and Libertad, Bolivian club The Strongest, and also the Paraguay national football team.^[15]

References

External links

• National Premier Soccer League Profile
• Soccerway Profile