Ricky Garbanzo | |
Fullname: | Ricardo Garbanzo |
Birth Date: | 26 August 1992 |
Birth Place: | San Jose, Costa Rica |
Height: | 1.7m (05.6feet) |
Position: | Forward |
Currentclub: | Charleston Battery |
Clubnumber: | 17 |
Youthyears1: | 2011–2014 |
Youthclubs1: | Coastal Carolina Chanticleers |
Years1: | 2014 |
Clubs1: | K-W United |
Caps1: | 12 |
Goals1: | 1 |
Years2: | 2015–2017 |
Clubs2: | Charleston Battery |
Caps2: | 79 |
Goals2: | 9 |
Club-Update: | October 17, 2017 |
Ricardo "Ricky" Garbanzo (born August 26, 1992) is a Costa Rican-American soccer player who last played for Charleston Battery in the USL.
Garbanzo moved to United States at age 7 and grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina.[1] Garbanzo played soccer at Northwestern High School with future Battery teammate Shawn Ferguson. Garbanzo played college soccer at Coastal Carolina University, making a total of 94 appearances for the Chanticleers and tallying 40 goals and 21 assists.
Garbanzo also played for K-W United FC in the Premier Development League.[2]
On December 31, 2014, it was announced that Garbanzo would take part in Major League Soccer's player combine.[3] However, he went undrafted in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Following the draft he joined his hometown club Charleston Battery for training camp and earned a professional contract in March.
On March 21, 2015, he made his professional debut for the Battery in a 3–2 victory over Toronto FC II.[4] During his rookie season Garbanzo became a first choice starter as a second striker behind teammate Dane Kelly, tallying 5 goals and 5 assists in 27 league appearances. Garbanzo plays as a defensive forward and is known for his hard-working and aggressive style of play, with manager Mike Anhaeuser nicknaming Garbanzo "Tricky Ricky" for his clever running and ability to provoke opponents.[5] Following the season he was voted the club's newcomer of the year by fans.
His contract was not renewed following the 2017 season.