Walter Elias Furtado Varela (also known as Wá)[1] (born 20 March 1997) is a Cape Verdean professional footballer who plays as a winger for Portland Hearts of Pine in the USL League One.

Career

College and amateur

Varela began his career playing college soccer at Bunker Hill Community College, where he was named to the collegiate Division III All-American Team in 2018. He played two seasons with the Bulldogs, scoring 22 goals in 21 appearances, also tallying four assists.[2][3]

In 2021, Varela had spells in the National Premier Soccer League with Valeo FC and in the United Premier Soccer League with Brockton FC.[4][5]

Professional

In 2022, Varela competed in the National Independent Soccer Association with Albion San Diego, scoring three goals in 19 appearances in all competitions.[6][7][8][9] Following the 2022, Varela was named to the 2022 NISA Best XI Second Team.[10]

On 25 January 2023, Varela signed with USL League One club Chattanooga Red Wolves ahead of their 2023 season.[5][11]

On 8 February 2025, Varela joined USL League One expansion team Portland Hearts of Pine ahead of their inaugural season.[12] He made his debut for the club in its first match, against CD Faialense of the Bay State Soccer League in the U.S. Open Cup, on his birthday, March 20. He marked the occasion by scoring the first goal in Hearts of Pine history in what was ultimately a 4–0 win.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Mercado: Futebol USA – Walter Varela, "Wá", assina contrato profissional com Albion San Diego Professional SC". June 4, 2023.
  2. ^ "NJCAA".
  3. ^ "NJCAA".
  4. ^ "National Premier Soccer League".
  5. ^ a b "Chattanooga Red Wolves Announce the Signing of Midfielder Walter Varela".
  6. ^ "Player Details | National Independent Soccer Association".
  7. ^ "Albion San Diego's late goal beats LA Force". May 17, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  8. ^ "SD Fútbol Weekly – Albion wins, Loyal and Wave lose". September 12, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  9. ^ "Mercado: Futebol USA - Walter Varela, "Wá di Ana", assina contrato profissional com Albion San Diego Professional SC". June 4, 2023.
  10. ^ "Six CFC Players Named to NISA 2022 Best XI Teams". November 16, 2022.
  11. ^ "Mercado: Futebol USA - Walter Varela, "Wá di Ana", assina pelo Chattanooga Red Wolves". June 4, 2023.
  12. ^ https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1330951
  13. ^ Macomber, Seth. "Birthday Boy Walter Varela Scores First-Ever Goal For Hearts of Pine". www.theblazingmusket.com. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Varela
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