Daniel Espeleta
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel Francisco Espeleta Quirós | ||
| Date of birth | April 5, 1998 | ||
| Place of birth | Athens, Georgia, United States | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Tucson Soccer Academy | |||
| Saprissa | |||
| Seattle Sounders | |||
| Pacific Northwest SC | |||
| Saprissa | |||
| Uruguay | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2021 | Creighton Bluejays | 62 | (5) |
| 2022 | Fordham Rams | 15 | (3) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2017 | Uruguay | ||
| 2018 | Laredo Heat | ||
| 2022 | Manhattan SC | 6 | (1) |
| 2023 | Los Angeles Force | 3 | (0) |
| 2023 | Grecia | 4 | (0) |
| 2024 | Detroit City | 11 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 27, 2024 | |||
Daniel Francisco Espeleta Quirós (born April 5, 1998) is an American soccer player.
Career
[edit]Youth, college and amateur
[edit]Espeleta was born in Athens, Georgia, to Costa Rican parents. During his childhood he attended 10 different schools, regularly moving between Costa Rica and various US states, eventually moving to Washington, where he spent time with Seattle Sounders FC's under-15 team. He was also a two-time King County Conference All-Star Selection while playing for Mercer Island High School. Espeleta was a member of the Deportivo Saprissa youth setup, appearing with various youth teams between under-14 to under-20 level, helping the squad to pair of national championships. He also spent two years with Pacific Northwest Soccer Club at under-18 level. Before heading to college, he played for the senior team at C.S. Uruguay de Coronado in the Segunda División de Costa Rica.[1]
In 2018, Espeleta attended Creighton University to play college soccer. Over four seasons with the Bluejays, Espeleta made 62 appearances, scoring five goals and tallying three assists. He was twice named CoSIDA Academic All-District VII First Team.[1] He was a graduate transfer to Fordham University in 2022, where he appeared 15 times, scoring three times and adding three assists.[2][3]
While at college, Espeleta also played in the National Premier Soccer League with Laredo Heat during their 2018 season.[4] In 2022, Espeleta made seven appearances in the USL League Two over the regular season and playoffs with Manhattan SC.[5]
Professional
[edit]Following college, Espeleta trialed with MLS Next Pro side Sporting Kansas City II,[6] but wasn't signed by the team. His first professional contract was with National Independent Soccer Association side Los Angeles Force, who he made three appearances for in May and June 2023.[7] In late 2023, Espeleta joined Liga FPD side Municipal Grecia on a short-term deal, where he made five appearances across league and cup.[8][9][10] On March 5, 2024, Espeleta returned to the United States, signing for USL Championship side Detroit City FC following a successful trial.[11][12] Detroit declined his contract option following their 2024 season.[13]
International
[edit]Espeleta was part of the Costa Rica under-17 camp in 2014.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Daniel Espeleta – 2021 – Men's Soccer". Creighton University Athletics.
- ^ "Daniel Espeleta – Men's Soccer". Fordham University Athletics.
- ^ "Fordham men's soccer bolsters 2022 roster with 12 signings".
- ^ "Men's Soccer Players Wrapping Up Summer Season With Success". Creighton University Athletics. July 16, 2018.
- ^ "Manhattan SC | uslleaguetwo.com". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
- ^ City, Sporting Kansas. "SKC II Preseason Recap: Sporting KC II falls 3–2 against Union Omaha in first preseason friendly | Sporting KC II". Sporting Kansas City.
- ^ "Player Details | National Independent Soccer Association". www.nisaofficial.com.
- ^ "Portero que fue campeón con Saprissa quedó fuera del Municipal Grecia siendo titular". El Futbolero Costa Rica. December 30, 2023.
- ^ "Costa Rica – D. Espeleta – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
- ^ "Daniel Espeleta".
- ^ "2024 USL Championship Roster Updates".
- ^ USLChampionship com Staff (March 5, 2024). "Detroit City FC signs midfielders Ryan Williams, Daniel Espeleta". USL Championship.
- ^ "2025 USL Championship Roster Updates".
- 1998 births
- Living people
- Costa Rican expatriate men's footballers
- Costa Rican expatriate sportspeople in the United States
- Costa Rican men's footballers
- Creighton Bluejays men's soccer players
- Detroit City FC players
- Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
- Los Angeles Force players
- Fordham Rams men's soccer players
- Laredo Heat players
- Men's association football midfielders
- Municipal Grecia players
- National Independent Soccer Association players
- National Premier Soccer League players
- Soccer players from Washington (state)
- USL Championship players
- USL League Two players