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All year long, we will be bringing you up close to members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies team.

In this feature of the 2012 Get to Know the Rowdies, we spotlight defender Andres Arango, who is in his second season with Tampa Bay.

In his 2011 season with the Rowdies, Arango started 19 games and played a total of 1,561 minutes. He scored his first goal of the season against Fort Lauderdale (7/4) and was named NASL Defender of the Week following a 2-1 win over Edmonton (7/17).

Andres Arango, who most recently played for and captained the NSC Minnesota Stars last season, made his international debut as a starting defender for the Canadian U-20 National Team that made it to the quarterfinals of the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. Between 2002 and 2003, Arango earned 20 caps for both the U-20 and U-23 Canadian National Teams. Arango, 27 years of age, was born in Colombia but now has Canadian citizenship.

Arango began his professional career with the Montreal Impact in 2003 and later signed with the Toronto Lynx, where he compiled 69 appearances from 2004-2006. While with the Lynx, he was named Toronto Lynx Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006, as well as led his team to the finals of the Open Canada Cup and a 10-game undefeated streak at home.

In 2007, Arango rejoined the Impact, making 21 appearances for the team before moving onto Minnesota. With the NSC Minnesota Stars last season, Arango played in 28 of 30 matches, ranking him second on the squad for most minutes played with 2,454 and tied for second for most matches played.


What is your most memorable soccer moment thus far?
Attending/ Competing in U-20 world cup with Canada

Growing up what soccer team did you support?
Barcelona

What is your all-time favorite soccer player:
Maldini

What is your favorite athlete outside of soccer:
Kobe Bryant

What is the most memorable moment of your life thus far?
My wedding

What is one destination that you’ve never been but have always wanted to visit?
Hawaii

What are three words that describe you?
Athletic, Friendly, Competitive

Who is someone you met through soccer who you would consider an inspiration?
Nelson Mandela - met during an exhibition match versus Trinidad. He is a legend.

What do you like doing in your free time?
Spending time with my wife

What is your biggest fear?
Heights

Who is your hero?
My Parents - foreigners making a life for themselves in Canada

Choose One:
Gatorade or Powerade: Gatorade
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Cats or Dogs: Dogs
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook
Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla
Monster or Red Bull: Red Bull