Omar Javier Valencia Arauz (born 8 June 2004) is a Panamanian professional footballer who plays as a defender for New York Red Bulls II of MLS Next Pro, on loan from C.D. Plaza Amador, and the Panama national team.

Omar Valencia
Personal information
Full name Omar Javier Valencia Arauz
Date of birth (2004-08-06) 6 August 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Panama City, Panama
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
New York Red Bulls II (loan)
Number 42
Youth career
C.D. Plaza Amador
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– C.D. Plaza Amador 8 (0)
2022–New York Red Bulls II (loan) 29 (0)
2024New York Red Bulls (loan) 1 (0)
International career
2022 Panama U20 5 (0)
2023– Panama 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 June 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 6 July 2024

Career

edit

C.D. Plaza Amador

edit

Born in Panama City, Valencia began his career with Panamanian club C.D. Plaza Amador. He graduated from Plaza Amador's youth setup, and made his senior debut during the 2022 Torneo Apertura. On 6 February 2022, Valencia made his league debut on matchday 1 in a 4-3 victory over Potros del Este.[1]

Loan to New York Red Bulls II

edit

On August 11, 2022, Valencia was loaned to Red Bulls II for the remainder of the 2022 season, their last in USL Championship.[2] Valencia made his debut for the team on October 1, 2022, against Phoenix Rising FC.

On February 8, 2023, Red Bulls II exercised their option to extend Valencia's loan through the 2023 season, the team's first in MLS Next Pro.[3]

On 20 March 2024, Valencia made his U.S. Open Cup debut, appearing as a starter for New York Red Bulls II in a 5–1 victory over Hudson Valley Hammers in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup.[4]

Loan to New York Red Bulls

edit

On 23 March 2024, Valencia and Mohammed Sofo were both called-up to the senior New York Red Bulls roster on a short-term loan ahead of the team's Major League Soccer match against Inter Miami.[5]

International

edit

Valencia was featured in Panama's squad at the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, earning 4 caps throughout the tournament. On July 6, 2023, Valencia was called up to senior Panama national football team during the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[6]

Career statistics

edit

Club

edit
As of match played 8 June 2024[7]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup [a] League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Plaza Amador 2022 Liga Panameña de Fútbol 8 0 8 0
Total 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
New York Red Bulls II (loan) 2022 USL Championship 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
New York Red Bulls II 2023 MLS Next Pro 15 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 17 0
2024 11 0 2 0 0 0 13 0
Total 29 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 33 0
New York Red Bulls (loan) 2024 Major League Soccer 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 38 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 42 0

International

edit
As of match played 6 July 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Panama 2023 1 0
2024 1 0
Total 2 0

References

edit
  1. ^ "Apertura 2022 de la Liga Panameña de Fútbol: resultados y la tabla de posiciones tras las fecha 1". futbolcentroamerica.com. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  2. ^ "New York Red Bulls II Add Defender Omar Valencia on Loan from C.D. Plaza Amador". newyorkredbulls.com. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  3. ^ "New York Red Bulls II Extend Loan of Panamanian Defender Omar Valencia". newyorkredbulls.com. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  4. ^ "NYRBII- Hudson Valley (5-1)". espn.com.
  5. ^ "New York Red Bulls Add NYRB II Midfielder Mohammed Sofo and Defender Omar Valencia on Short-Term Loan Agreements Ahead of Inter Miami CF Match". NewYorkRedBulls.com. New York Red Bulls. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  6. ^ "New York Red Bulls II Defender Omar Valencia Called Up to Panama National Team for 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup". 6 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  7. ^ "O. Valencia". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
edit