.jpg) Valeri playing for thePortland Timbers in 2015 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Diego Hernán Valeri | ||
| Date of birth | (1986-05-01)1 May 1986 (age 38) | ||
| Place of birth | Lanús, Argentina | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.77 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2003 | Lanús | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2013 | Lanús | 158 | (25) |
| 2009–2010 | →Porto (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| 2010 | →Almería (loan) | 9 | (0) |
| 2013 | →Portland Timbers (loan) | 20 | (4) |
| 2013–2021 | Portland Timbers | 242 | (82) |
| 2022 | Lanús | 9 | (1) |
| 2023 | Portland Timbers | 0 | (0) |
| Total | 450 | (112) | |
| International career | |||
| 2011 | Argentina | 3 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Diego Hernán Valeri (born 1 May 1986) is an Argentine former professionalfootballer who played as anattacking midfielder.
From 2013 to 2021, Valeri played forMajor League Soccer clubPortland Timbers, and is regarded as one of the league's greatest players of all time, as well as the greatest player inPortland Timbers history.[1] Valeri was named theMLS Cup Most Valuable Player after he led the Timbers to winMLS Cup 2015. He was later presented as theMLS MVP following his career-setting2017 season. While in Major League Soccer, Valeri was selected into theMLS All-Star team four times and was included three times in theMLS Best XI.
Valeri began his career with his boyhood clubLanús. Promoted to the first team by head coachMiguel Ángel Brindisi, Valeri made hisPrimera División debut in September 2003 againstVélez Sarsfield. He soon broke into the starting line-up more consistently, having his breakout season in2007–08, helping Lanús to theTorneo Apertura title. In 2009, Valeri joined Portuguese clubPorto on loan for the 2009–10 season, helping the club win theTaça de Portugal. The next season, Valeri was loaned out to Spanish clubAlmería, where his loan was eventually ended early in December 2010.
In August 2012, Valeri and his family were victims in an armed robbery inLanús. The incident lead to Valeri instructing his agent to pursue a move abroad more aggressively. In January 2013, Valeri joined thePortland Timbers on loan for the2013 season. The deal was eventually made permanent in August 2013. In his debut season, Valeri helped the club top theWestern Conference standings, earning him theMLS Newcomer of the Year award. In December 2015, he scored the opening goal for the Timbers' after 27 seconds against theColumbus Crew in MLS Cup 2015. The fastest goal in MLS Cup history, the Timbers would go on to defeat the Crew and win their first ever championship. Two seasons later, Valeri registered his best season statistically, posting a career-high 21 goals while recording 11 assists. He helped the Timbers top theWestern Conference standings and won the MLS Most Valuable Player award. Thefollowing season, Valeri helped lead his side toMLS Cup 2018 againstAtlanta United FC, where they were defeated 0–2. In August 2020, Valeri helped captain the Timbers to thefinal of theMLS is Back Tournament, defeatingOrlando City SC.
Valeri is the all-time leading goalscorer for the Portland Timbers with 100 goals in all competitions. He is the 14th all-time top scorer and is 10th all-time in assists in Major League Soccer history.
Valeri earned three caps forArgentina, all occurring in 2011. He made his international debut for his country on 16 March againstVenezuela as Argentina won 4–1.
Born in the industrial city ofLanús, a suburb ofBuenos Aires[2] on 1 May 1986, Valeri is the son of Luis, a former footballer turned shoe factory owner, and Monica, a former tennis player for the local athletic club.[3] As a child, Valeri would play football among his friends. When Valeri turned nine, through his mother, he participated in a trial with the local football clubClub Atlético Lanús.[4] Valeri was recruited into the club's youth team and played with the club's youth sides for five years before being promoted into the reserves.[4]
After impressing with the reserves, Valeri was promoted into theLanús first team under head coachMiguel Ángel Brindisi.[4] He made his professional debut on 27 September 2003 againstVélez Sarsfield.[4] During his time at Lanús, Valeri played in 158 matches, scoring 25 goals in theArgentine Primera División.[5] During the2007–08 season, Valeri scored a season-high 8 goals in 26 matches and helped Lanús to the Apertura title.[5]
Towards the end of his time at Lanús, Valeri was named club captain.[5]
On 17 July 2009, Valeri joined PortuguesePrimeira Liga clubFC Porto on a two-season loan with a purchase option.[6] He made his debut for Porto on 23 August 2009 againstNacional, coming on as a substitute forRaul Meireles in the 75th minute of a 3–0 victory.[7] Valeri then made hisUEFA Champions League debut on 30 September 2009 during a 2–0 victory againstAtlético Madrid, coming on as a stoppage time substitute.[8]
During his loan at Porto, Valeri played four matches in theTaça de Portugal to help Porto earn their 15th domestic cup title.[9] He came on as a 72nd-minute substitute for the club in thefinal againstChaves as Porto won 2–1.[10]
Following his first season with Porto, it was reported that Valeri did not fit into the plans for new managerAndré Villas-Boas.[11] He also had a tough time adapting at the club, citing the pressure and demand to perform while playing outside his home country for the first time.[11]
On 9 July 2010, it was reported that SpanishLa Liga clubAlmería were negotiating withPorto to sign Valeri on loan.[12] On 21 July 2010, Valeri was presented as an Almería player, arriving on loan for the2010–11 season.[13] He made his debut for the club on 13 September 2010 againstReal Sociedad. He started and played 72 minutes as the match ended in a 2–2 draw.[14]
Valeri's loan with Almería was ended early on 30 December 2010, with him returning toLanús.[15]
On 10 January 2013, Valeri joinedMajor League Soccer clubPortland Timbers on loan for the2013 season.[5] He was signed as one of the Timbers'designated players.[5] Prior to moving to the United States, two other Major League Soccer clubs were in discussions to sign Valeri – theChicago Fire and Timbers rivalSeattle Sounders FC.[16] Valeri and his agent met with the Fire and their technical staff but a deal never materialized and the Sounders held the discovery rights to Valeri.[16] He also spoke with formerLanús teammateJavier Morales, then atReal Salt Lake, before signing with the Timbers.[16]
Valeri made his debut for the Portland Timbers on 3 March 2013 in the season opener against theNew York Red Bulls. He started and scored his first Timbers goal in the 14th minute, an equalizer to make it 1–1.[17] The match would go on to end in a 3–3 draw.[17]
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On 6 August 2013, after he scored four goals and earned eight assists in 20 matches, thePortland Timbers exercised their purchase agreement withLanús and signed Valeri to a multi-year contract.[18] A day later, on 7 August, Valeri scored a consolation goal for the Timbers in their 2–1 defeat againstReal Salt Lake in theU.S. Open Cup.[19] Valeri would go on to finish his first season with the Portland Timbers with 10 goals and 13 assists, being named as the league'sNewcomer of the Year.[20] He also earned a selection in that seasonsMLS Best XI.[20]
The next season, on 19 July 2014, Valeri was selected to be part of theMLS All-Star team that would play againstBayern Munich.[21] During the match on 6 August, Valeri providing the game-winning assist forLandon Donovan in the 70th minute to help the MLS All-Stars win 2–1.[22] At the end of the season, Valeri was selected into his second consecutive MLS Best XI.[23]
It was the first time in my career that someone decided to do that. I went on loan to Porto and Almería and it was the first time a club decided to buy me. I didn't play for a lot of teams, and for me it was important and I was very happy and I wanted to give back to them. That's what motivated me in this club.
During the Portland Timbers final regular-season match of 2014 againstFC Dallas, Valeri tore his ACL and was sidelined to start the2015 season.[24] Valeri made his first appearance on 2 May 2015 againstVancouver Whitecaps FC, coming on as a 52nd-minute substitute forIshmael Yartey as the Timbers drew 0–0.[25] Valeri would go on to become a regular again for Portland as he helped lead the club into the2015 MLS playoffs before securing the club's spot inMLS Cup 2015 through a 5–3 aggregate victory overFC Dallas in the Conference Finals.[26]
Valeri was a starter for the Portland Timbers against theColumbus Crew for MLS Cup 2015.[27] He opened the scoring for the club after just 27 seconds, deflecting a clearance from Columbus goalkeeperSteve Clark to give the Timbers the very early lead. Valeri's goal was the fastest scored in MLS Cup history.[27] The Portland Timbers would go on to win the match 2–1, earning their first-ever MLS Cup championship.[27] Valeri would later be named as theMLS Cup Most Valuable Player for his performance during the final.[27]
Following their success, the Timbers were expected to be a contender forMLS Cup 2016.[28] Despite the losses of forwardMaximiliano Urruti, defenderJorge Villafaña, and captainWill Johnson, the Timbers retained main offensive starters Valeri,Darlington Nagbe, and club top-scorerFanendo Adi.[28] There were also higher expectations for forwardLucas Melano, who arrived midway through the previous season as a designated player from Valeri's former clubLanús.[28] During the season, Valeri had another productive campaign as he scored 14 goals and earned seven assists. His goals count being second among Timbers players and second among midfielders in MLS.[29] On 28 July 2016, Valeri was named into his secondMLS All-Star squad. The All-Stars would take onPremier League sideArsenal.[30] On 10 August 2016, Valeri signed a three-year contract extension with the Portland Timbers.[22]
Despite Valeri's performance during the season, as well as from Adi, the Portland Timbers failed to qualify for theplayoffs.[31] A 4–1 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Decision Day meant that the Timbers finished two points behind 6th-placedReal Salt Lake in the standings.[32] Throughout the season, the Timbers failed to win a single match away from home, hurting their qualification chances.[33][31] The failure from the Portland Timbers to qualify for the playoffs, as well as from their MLS Cup 2015 opponentsColumbus Crew, meant that for the first time in league history, neither finalist from the previous season qualified for the following playoffs.[34]
During the2017 season, Valeri scored 21 goals and earned 11 assists, becoming just the second player in league history to record at least 20 goals and 10 assists across an entire season.[35] He also broke the league record for most consecutive games with a goal, scoring a goal in 9 straight matches between 29 July and 24 September.[35] Valeri earned his thirdAll-Star selection and played the second half of the match againstReal Madrid.[36] On 12 August, Valeri became the 18th player in Major League Soccer history to score 50 goals and earn 50 assists when he scored during a 4–1 defeat againstToronto FC.[37] A little more than a week later, on 23 August, Valeri became the Timbers all-time top goalscorer; scoring the first goal in a 2–1 victory over theColorado Rapids and breaking the record set earlier that season by teammateFanendo Adi.[38]
Valeri's performances throughout the season were instrumental in securing Portland Timbers the top spot in theWestern Conference standings and qualifying for theplayoffs.[39] The Timbers playoff journey began in the Conference Semifinals against theHouston Dynamo. The club were knocked-out after losing 2–1 on aggregate.[40] Despite the early defeat, Valeri was awarded theLandon Donovan MVP Award on 4 December 2017.[35]
Following his MVP season, Valeri scored 14 goals and assisted 14 during the2018 campaign.[41] That season, Valeri, alongside formerLanús teammateSebastián Blanco, helped lead the Portland Timbers back into theMLS Cup playoffs.[42] During the Knockout Round match againstFC Dallas on 31 October, Valeri scored a brace to give the Timbers a 2–1 victory.[43] In the next round, the Timbers took on rivalsSeattle Sounders FC in the Conference Semifinals.[44] Valeri assisted both goals for the Timbers as the club took a 2–1 aggregate lead after the first leg of the tie.[45] In the second leg, the Sounders won the match 3–2 after extra-time which lead to penalty kicks. Valeri converted his penalty as the Timbers won 4–2, advancing to the Conference Finals.[46]
The Portland Timbers took onSporting Kansas City in the Western Conference Finals.[47] After a 0–0 draw in the first leg, Valeri scored a brace in the second leg to help the Timbers win 3–2 and thus advance toMLS Cup 2018.[47] He would go on to start in MLS Cup againstAtlanta United FC on 8 December 2018 but couldn't prevent his side from losing 2–0.[48]
The next season in2019, Valeri recorded a career-best 16 assists, which also broke the club record for most assists in a single-season.[49] Valeri helped the Portland Timbers qualify for their third-straightMLS Cup playoff appearance.[50] They were knocked-out in the first round byReal Salt Lake.[51]
Prior to the2020 season, on 16 December 2019, after declining his contract option, Valeri signed another contract extension with the Portland Timbers.[52] This deal would reduce Valeri from being a designated player as the Timbers usedTargeted Allocation Money to re-sign and buy down Valeri's contract.[52] Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the Portland Timbers participated in theMLS is Back Tournament held inOrlando,Florida, with Valeri acting as club captain.[53][54] On 11 August 2020, Valeri started for the Timbers during thefinal againstOrlando City SC. The Portland Timbers would go on to win 2–1.[53] On 2 September 2020, Valeri became the third player in Major League Soccer history to score at least 80 goals and earn 80 assists – alongsideLandon Donovan andJaime Moreno.[53] Following the2020 season, Valeri was named by the league among its 25 best players of all time.[1] He had been top scorer in four of his nine years with the club and top equal in one, his best being 21 goals in 2017.
Valeri scored 100 goals for the Timbers across all competitions during his time in Portland. He left the team as their regular season leader in goals scored, assists, and points.
On 20 January 2022, the Timbers and Valeri mutually agreed on his transfer back toClub Atlético Lanús. The Timbers announced a testimonial match for Valeri between them and Lanús in 2023, and upon retirement Valeri would become a Timbers ambassador.[55] On June 2, 2022, 36-year old Valeri confirmed he had decided to retire.[56]
On 16 March 2011, Valeri made his international debut forArgentina at theEstadio San Juan del Bicentenario in afriendly againstVenezuela. Argentina won 4–1.[57] Valeri would go on to make just two more appearances with Argentina, both in 2011, againstEcuador andParaguay.[58][59] In June 2011, prior toCopa América, Valeri was included in the provisional squad for Argentina by managerSergio Batista but was cut from the final 23-man squad.[60]
A technically gifted player,[61] Valeri was capable of both scoring and creating goals.[62] When he joined thePortland Timbers in 2013, he was brought in to become the creative force of the offense for coachCaleb Porter.[63] "He will be one of the betterplaymakers in the league, but more importantly Diego fits our identity and his play should boost production to help the club win games," stated Porter after Valeri signed with the Timbers.[64] Throughout his time with the Timbers, Valeri was considered the creative spark for the club.[63] During his first season in Portland, Valeri adapted into the middle of Porter's4–3–3 formation, forming a partnership withcentral midfieldersDiego Chará andWill Johnson.[65] That partnership allowed Valeri the freedom he needed to score ten goals and provide thirteen assists in his first season with the club.[65]
Valeri was known to be the creative lynchpin and key to the Portland Timbers attack.[66] Considered to be a skilled passer who was able to get the ball to his forwards in great positions,[67] Valeri was not only known for his offensive ability but also for being able to contribute defensively by dropping back and helping start a Timbers counterattack.[68] Prior to a match in 2014, formerToronto FC coachGreg Vanney stated that Valeri was "clever" and that "you don't really want to send your marking guy to the outside to deal with him".[69]
When formerLanús teammateSebastián Blanco arrived at the Timbers, both he and Valeri began a partnership that would be key to the Portland offense.[70] Valeri continued to play as the central attacking midfielder while Blanco would interchange between playing centrally and going out wide to the wing.[70] According to Timbers general manager,Gavin Wilkinson, this partnership helped Valeri reach a career-high 21 goals during his MVP season.[70] Despite not being a full-game starter for the Timbers in2020, coachGiovanni Savarese stated, "his movements are very sharp, his quality is still intact and he's taking care of himself in the best possible way."[71]
Valeri married his childhood sweetheart Florencia in 2007.[3] She is also fromLanús and was Valeri's neighbor growing up.[3] The couple have a daughter named Constanza who was born in 2009.[3] While Valeri was still playing in Argentina, Florencia would regularly attend matches forClub Atlético Lanús but after the birth of their daughter, the couple decided that it might be too dangerous to attend games.[4] In October 2012, Valeri and his family were victims of a carjacking near their home as armed robbers stole Valeri'sBMW X1, wallet, and cell phone.[4] According to Valeri, the carjacking was a major reason in him and his family's decision to move out of Argentina.[4]
Prior to his move to thePortland Timbers, Valeri had never heard ofPortland,Oregon.[4] He had only visited the United States once, in 2004, when he was part of the Lanús side that took on a Japanese club in a pre-season friendly atDignity Health Sports Park inLos Angeles.[16] Not long after the move, Valeri and his family began to embrace life in Portland, which they felt was very safe.[42] Additionally, the family began to participate in local community service initiatives and charities, with his work off-the-pitch earning Valeri the nickname "Saint Valeri".[3] He has also developed a deep relationship with the supporters' groups of the Portland Timbers, regularly participating in local football events and matches.[72] Valeri and his family also regularly attend matches forNational Women's Soccer League clubPortland Thorns, the sister club of the Timbers.[73] Valeri has stated that the Thorns serve as a major inspiration for his daughter and her future hopes and dreams.[3]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lanús | 2003–04 | Argentine Primera División | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2004–05 | Argentine Primera División | 13 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 1 | |||||
| 2005–06 | Argentine Primera División | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | |||||
| 2006–07 | Argentine Primera División | 20 | 0 | — | — | 4[c] | 1 | — | 24 | 1 | ||||
| 2007–08 | Argentine Primera División | 26 | 8 | — | — | 13[d] | 1 | — | 39 | 9 | ||||
| 2008–09 | Argentine Primera División | 27 | 2 | — | — | 4[e] | 0 | — | 31 | 2 | ||||
| 2010–11 | Argentine Primera División | 18 | 8 | — | — | 1[c] | 0 | — | 19 | 8 | ||||
| 2011–12 | Argentine Primera División | 28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 8[e] | 1 | — | 37 | 4 | |||
| 2012–13 | Argentine Primera División | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 16 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 158 | 25 | 1 | 0 | — | 30 | 3 | — | 189 | 28 | ||||
| Porto (loan) | 2009–10 | Primeira Liga | 12 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2[f] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Almería (loan) | 2010–11 | La Liga | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 12 | 0 | |||
| Portland Timbers (loan) | 2013 | Major League Soccer | 20 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 22 | 5 | |||
| Portland Timbers | 2013 | Major League Soccer | 11 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4[g] | 1 | 16 | 8 | ||
| 2014 | Major League Soccer | 33 | 11 | 1 | 0 | — | 1[h] | 0 | — | 35 | 11 | |||
| 2015 | Major League Soccer | 22 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 5[g] | 1 | 29 | 4 | |||
| 2016 | Major League Soccer | 30 | 14 | 2 | 0 | — | 3[h] | 2 | — | 35 | 16 | |||
| 2017 | Major League Soccer | 32 | 21 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 2[g] | 0 | 34 | 21 | |||
| 2018 | Major League Soccer | 32 | 10 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 6[g] | 4 | 39 | 14 | |||
| 2019 | Major League Soccer | 31 | 8 | 4 | 0 | – | – | 1[g] | 0 | 36 | 8 | |||
| 2020 | Major League Soccer | 22[i] | 8 | – | – | – | 5[j] | 1 | 27 | 9 | ||||
| 2021 | Major League Soccer | 29 | 2 | – | — | 4[h] | 2 | 3[g] | 0 | 36 | 4 | |||
| Total | 262 | 86 | 13 | 3 | – | 8 | 4 | 26 | 7 | 309 | 100 | |||
| Lanús | 2022 | Argentine Primera División | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 2[c] | 0 | — | 12 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 450 | 112 | 22 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 42 | 7 | 26 | 7 | 545 | 129 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 2011 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 | |
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Lanús
Porto
Portland Timbers
Individual
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
