Emil Cuello (born 2 January 1997) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Phoenix Rising of the USL Championship.

Emil Cuello
Cuello in 2019
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-01-02) 2 January 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
Phoenix Rising
Number 14
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2018 SMU Mustangs 73 (12)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016 Ocean City Nor'easters 2 (0)
2019–2020 LA Galaxy 20 (0)
2019–2020 LA Galaxy II 6 (1)
2021 San Antonio FC 16 (2)
2021Sacramento Republic (loan) 14 (1)
2022 Sacramento Republic 22 (2)
2023– Phoenix Rising 43 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 15, 2024

Early life

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Cuello was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before his family moved to Orem, Utah, when he was five years old.[1] He attended Orem High School, where he scored 23 goals in four seasons on the school's soccer team.[2]

Youth and college career

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Cuello played four years of college soccer at Southern Methodist University between 2015 and 2018. During his time at SMU, Cuello made 73 appearances, scoring 12 goals and tallying 17 assists for the Mustangs. In his freshman year at SMU, Cuello earned American Athletic Conference (AAC) All-Rookie honors. As a junior, he was named the AAC Most Outstanding Offensive Player. His senior year, Cuello was recognized as AAC Tournament's Most Valuable Player and a first-team All-AAC selection.[3][4]

While at college, Cuello also appeared for USL Premier Development League side Ocean City Nor'easters during their 2016 season.[5][6]

Club career

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On 11 January 2019, Cuello was drafted 19th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by LA Galaxy.[7] On 27 February 2019, Cuello signed for the club.[8] After two seasons in Los Angeles, Cuello's contract option was declined by the club on 30 November 2020.[9]

On 20 January 2021, Cuello signed with USL Championship side San Antonio FC.[10] On 25 August 2021, Cuello was loaned to fellow USL side Sacramento Republic, with Mitchell Taintor heading in the other direction in a swap deal.[11]

On 15 December 2021, it was announced Cuello would join Sacramento Republic on a permanent basis ahead of the 2022 season.[12] Following the 2022 season he was released by Sacramento.[13]

Cuello signed with Phoenix Rising FC on February 2, 2023.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Emil Cuello: from Argentina to debut supplying Zlatan". us.as.com. March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  2. ^ Morton, Aaron (11 January 2019). "Former Orem High soccer player Emil Cuello drafted by LA Galaxy". Deseret News. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Emil Cuello SMU bio". smumustangs.com. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  4. ^ Emil Cuello at Major League Soccer
  5. ^ "Emil Cuello, former Ocean City Nor'easters player, drafted in First Round by LA Galaxy". oceancityfc.com. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Emil Cuello USL League Two stats". uslleaguetwo.com. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  7. ^ "LA Galaxy draft Emil Cuello with the 19th overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft". lagalaxy.com. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  8. ^ "LA Galaxy sign midfielder Emil Cuello". lagalaxy.com. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  9. ^ "LA Galaxy announce 2020 roster decisions". LA Galaxy.
  10. ^ "San Antonio Adds Former Galaxy Midfielder Cuello". 20 January 2021.
  11. ^ "Cuello Joins Sacramento, Taintor Joins San Antonio in Loan Deals". USL Championship. 25 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Sacramento Inks Emil Cuello to Permanent Deal". 14 December 2021.
  13. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (1 December 2022). "Republic FC announces initial roster moves ahead of 2023 season". USL Championship.
  14. ^ Minnick, Jason (2 February 2023). "Phoenix Rising Signs Midfielder Emil Cuello". phxrisingfc.com. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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