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Danny Barrera

Daniel Francisco Barrera (born January 8, 1990) is a professional soccer player who currently plays as a midfielder for Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Barrera moved to the United States at the age of eight, growing up in Thousand Oaks, California. He developed his skills both in the United States Soccer residency program and at the high school level with Westlake High School, where he was named a Parade magazine All-American and regarded as one of the top recruits coming out of high school. He was the #1 recruit in his class according to RiseMag.com.

Danny Barrera
Barrera with Hartford Athletic in 2021
Personal information
Full name Daniel Francisco Barrera
Date of birth (1990-01-08) January 8, 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Bogotá, Colombia
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Hartford Athletic
Number 10
Youth career
Westlake High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 66 (10)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Ventura County Fusion 39 (13)
2011–2012 Spartak Subotica 1 (0)
2012 Ventura County Fusion 6 (0)
2012 Cal FC
2012–2013 Atlanta Silverbacks 31 (5)
2014 San Antonio Scorpions 13 (1)
2014 Carolina RailHawks 10 (1)
2015 Cal FC
2015–2017 Sacramento Republic 62 (6)
2018 Fresno FC 33 (1)
2019 Cal FC
2019– Hartford Athletic 150 (17)
International career‡
2006 United States U17 3 (1)
2007 United States U18 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 1, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 11, 2016

Barrera attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he played college soccer with the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team from 2008 to 2010. He left UCSB after his junior year to pursue a professional career and has since played for various clubs, including Ventura County Fusion, FK Spartak Subotica, Atlanta Silverbacks, San Antonio Scorpions, Carolina RailHawks, Sacramento Republic FC, Fresno FC, and Hartford Athletic. Notably, Barrera was named to the USL All-League Team in 2016 and was included in the USL Championship's All-Time Hispanic Team in 2021. Internationally, he represented the United States at the U17 and U18 levels and was part of the USA team at the 2007 Pan-American Games.

Early life and education

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Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Barrera moved to the United States at the age of eight, growing up in Thousand Oaks, California.[1][2] He trained with Sheffield United F.C. as a teen.[3] He developed his game in the United States both with the US Soccer residency program and at the high school level with Westlake High School, where he skipped his senior year of high school.[4][5] He was named as a Parade magazine All-American and regarded as one of the top recruits coming out of high school.[4] RiseMag.com listed Barrera as the #1 recruit in his class.[6]

He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he was a student-athlete and played college soccer with the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team from 2008 to 2010. He would appear for the team in 66 games, scoring 10 goals and adding 22 assists.[7][8][9] He left UCSB after his junior year to pursue a professional career.

Club career

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While still attending college, Barrera played with the newly formed PDL team Ventura County Fusion in the summers, alongside his brother Diego Barrera.[10][11] For the 2009 PDL season, Barrera and Ventura County Fusion beat Chicago Fire Premier for the league championship.[12] Over 4 seasons, he appeared in 39 games for Ventura County, scoring 13 goals and 15 assists.[13][14][15][16]

After being named to the 2011 PDL season All-League Team, Barrera signed with Serbian SuperLiga side FK Spartak Subotica (for sponsorship reasons the name was Spartak Zlatibor Voda that season) in August 2011 after a successful trial.[17] He made his debut for Spartak against FK Borac Čačak on December 10, 2011.[18]

Ventura County Fusion

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Barrera returned to the United States in 2012 and re-joined Ventura County Fusion and appeared in 6 games, but played for Cal FC in their historic 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run coached by Eric Wynalda.[19][20][21]

Atlanta Silverbacks

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In July, Barrera signed with Atlanta Silverbacks.[22] He was the first signing of new Silverbacks head coach Eric Wynalda, who had just been appointed some days earlier.[1] Wynalda, who coached Barrera at Cal FC, had previously stated that he's wanted Barrera playing for his team since 2010 when he first saw Barrera playing in Santa Barbara.[1]

Trial at Derby County

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In August 2012, Barrera joined English Football League Championship side Derby County F.C. on trial, where he featured in preseason friendlies against Belper Town F.C., Chesterfield F.C., and Matlock Town F.C.[23][24][25][26] He would return to Atlanta after the trial proved unsuccessful.[27]

San Antonio Scorpions

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Barrera joined San Antonio Scorpions ahead of the 2014 North American Soccer League season.[28] He was traded later that season to Carolina RailHawks for César Elizondo.[29][30] At the conclusion of the season, Barrera re-joined Cal FC for their 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run.[31][32]

Sacramento Republic

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Barrera joined Sacramento Republic FC in June 2015.[33] He was re-signed by Sacramento for the 2016 USL season.[34] Head coach Paul Buckle moved Barrera to a more central position in the midfield and made him the team's captain.[35]

Fresno FC

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Barrera transferred to USL side Fresno FC for the 2018 season on January 23, 2018.[36]

Hartford Athletic

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Barrera with Hartford Athletic in 2021

Barrera signed with Hartford Athletic on June 13, 2019.[37] He led the team in assists despite just 17 games played for the 2019 season with four. He was re-signed for the 2020 season and named team captain.[38] During the 2020 season Barrera led the team in assists for the second year in a row and was named team MVP.[39] Barrera re signed with Hartford for the 2021 season on November 30, 2020.[39] In October 2021, Barrera was named to the USL Championship's All-Time Hispanic Team.[40] Barrera recorded 12 assists during the 2021 season, the most of any player in the USL Championship.[41]

Barrera re-signed with Hartford ahead of the 2022 season.[42]

International career

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When he was 17 he was a member of the USA team at the 2007 Pan-American Games being the youngest player on the roster. He also represented the United States at U17 and U18 levels.[2]

Personal life

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Danny's older brother, Diego Barrera, is also a professional soccer player. Barrera enjoys being able to experience other cultures through his soccer experiences and plans to be a coach after he retires.[43] Barrera has a brief appearance and line in the Will Ferrell movie Kicking and Screaming as his coach Dan Metcalfe was also the movies soccer choreographer and used several of his youth players in the movie.[44]

Barrera and his partner Vanessa have four children.[44]

Awards and honors

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Individual

  • USL All-League Team: 2016
  • Hartford Athletic Team MVP 2020
  • USL Championship's All-Time Hispanic Team

References

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  1. ^ a b c Quarstad, Brian (July 7, 2012). "Atlanta Silverbacks Sign Danny Barrera of Cal FC and Ventura County". www.InsideMNSoccer.com. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Sciaretta, Brian (October 18, 2011). "Barrera Aiming High At Spartak". www.Yanks-Abroad.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ Paterson, Bill (August 5, 2015). "Soccer vagabond Danny Barrera adds spark to Republic FC's attack". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Otii, Barrera Cleared to Play for No. 7 UCSB Men's Soccer Team". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. September 4, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  5. ^ "UCSB adds Barrera and Dominguez". Soccer America. Oakland, California. February 8, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  6. ^ Silva, Lauren (November 27, 2007). "Boys' Soccer Rankings: Class of 2008 Top 30 Recruits". www.RiseMag.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  7. ^ "2008 UC Santa Barbara Overall Individual Statistics". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. January 21, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  8. ^ "2009 UC Santa Barbara Overall Individual Statistics". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. December 1, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  9. ^ "2010 UC Santa Barbara Overall Individual Statistics". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. December 17, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  10. ^ Curley, Joe (July 17, 2008). "Diego and Danny Barrera face on in Fusion Quakes game". Ventura County Star. Camarillo, California. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  11. ^ Curley, Joe (July 28, 2010). "Thinking on his feet". Ventura County Star. Camarillo, California. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  12. ^ Quarstad, Brian (August 9, 2009). "Ventura County Fusion Defeat Chicago Fire for PDL Title". www.InsideMNSoccer.com. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  13. ^ "2008 Ventura County Fusion roster and statistics". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  14. ^ "2009 Ventura County Fusion roster and statistics". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  15. ^ "2010 Ventura County Fusion roster and statistics". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  16. ^ "2011 Ventura County Fusion roster and statistics". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  17. ^ "Barrera Signs With FK Spartak". United Soccer Leagues. September 17, 2011. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013.
  18. ^ "Borac 0:1 Spartak Zlatibor voda". FK Spartak Zlatibor Voda (in Serbian). December 10, 2011. Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  19. ^ "2012 Ventura County Fusion roster and statistics". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  20. ^ Curley, Joe (June 8, 2012). "Fusion extends streak to six". Ventura County Star. Camarillo, California. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  21. ^ Curley, Joe (June 4, 2012). "Cal F.C. has second MLS team in its sights". Ventura County Star. Camarillo, California. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  22. ^ Tate, Kim (July 7, 2012). "Top scoring powerhouse Danny Barrera signs with Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL" (Press release). Kim Tate Sports. Pangea Sports Management. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  23. ^ "Steve Davies could make first appearance of pre-season as a Derby County XI take on Belper". Derby Telegraph. Derby. August 7, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  24. ^ "Nathan Tyson late show earns Derby County a draw against Sunderland at Pride Park". Derby Telegraph. Derby. August 9, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  25. ^ "No excuses as Derby County round off programme of friendlies with dismal display at Chesterfield". Derby Telegraph. Derby. August 13, 2012. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  26. ^ "Derby County triallist Marc McNulty catches the eye - with video". Derby Telegraph. Derby. August 16, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  27. ^ "NASLog 8-17-12". www.RecklessChallenge.net. August 17, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  28. ^ "Scorpions land Barrera and Fana". Soccer America. Oakland, California. December 17, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  29. ^ Morris, Neil (August 5, 2014). "Carolina RailHawks trade Cesar Elizondo to San Antonio Scorpions for Danny Barrera". Indy Week. Durham, North Carolina. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  30. ^ "Scorpions trade for Carolina forward Elizondo". San Antonio Express-News. San Antonio. August 5, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  31. ^ Curley, Joe (April 24, 2015). "Local Soccer Notebook: Barrera rejoins Cal FC". Ventura County Star. Camarillo, California. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  32. ^ Curley, Joe (May 18, 2015). "2015 US Open Cup round 1: Ventura County Fusion set unbeaten mark with 'wild' PK win over Cal FC (video)". TheCup.us. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  33. ^ "Sacramento Republic FC Sign Midfielder Danny Barrera". Sacramento Republic FC. June 6, 2015. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  34. ^ Paterson, Bill (December 8, 2015). "Republic FC re-signs midfielder Danny Barrera". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  35. ^ Billingsley, Mark (July 15, 2016). "Republic FC 'quarterback' Danny Barrera enjoys passing". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  36. ^ Fresno FC [dead link]
  37. ^ "Hartford Athletic Adds Danny Barrera". Hartford Athletic. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  38. ^ "Danny Barrera, Ever Guzman link up". Courant.com. August 3, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  39. ^ a b "DANNY BARRERA RETURNING IN 2021". Hartfordathletic.com. November 30, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  40. ^ "USL Championship's All-Time Hispanic Team – Midfielders". USL Championship. October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  41. ^ "Colorado Springs' Hadji Barry Awarded 2021 USL Championship Golden Boot". USLChampionship.com. November 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  42. ^ Athletic, Hartford (December 7, 2021). "Hartford Athletic Re-Signs Captain Danny Barrera". Hartford Athletic | Connecticut's Professional Soccer Team. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  43. ^ Paterson, Bill (July 2, 2016). "Republic FC players set aside day jobs to play under lights". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  44. ^ a b "Hartford Athletic's Danny Barrera made waves with his impressive goal. But the 30-year-old midfielder is more than just the viral play". Courant.com. October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
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