Paulo Soares

Paulo Soares (born 1 December 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bulgarian Second Professional Football League club Sportist Svoge.^[1] Born in the United States, he is a Cape Verde international.^[2]

Paulo Soares

Personal information
Date of birth	(1999-12-01) 1 December 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth	Sal, Cape Verde
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Sportist Svoge
Number	7
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2021	Quinnipiac Bobcats
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022	Rochester New York FC	10	(0)
2024	Dobrudzha	7	(0)
2024-	Sportist Svoge	10	(0)
International career‡
2019	Cape Verde U19	2	(0)
2022–	Cape Verde	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 January 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1 January 2025 (UTC)

Early life

Born in the United States, Soares returned to Cape Verde as a child with his family, before returning again to the United States, where he captained the soccer team at Quincy High School in Quincy, Massachusetts.^[3][4] In Cape Verde, Soares had been scouted by Italian and Portuguese teams but his family prioritized his education, thus the decision to send him back to the United States instead.^[5]

Career

College career

Soares played college soccer for the Quinnipiac Bobcats and made the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Rookie team.^[6] During the 2021 season, he made the All-MAAC team and the MAAC All-Academic team.^[7] He also captained the Quinnipiac Bobcats.^[8]

Club career

Before the 2022 season, Soares signed for American side Rochester New York FC.^[9]

On 13 January 2024, Soares joined Bulgarian second division club Dobrudzha.^[10]

International career

Soares played for the Cape Verde national under-15, under-16, and under-19 teams, and has captained the national under-19 team.^[11] He debuted for Cape Verde during a 1–0 loss to Ecuador.^[12]

Style of play

Soares can operate as a center midfielder and a defensive midfielder and is known for his work ethic.^[13]

Personal life

His father is a civil engineer.^[5]

Career statistics

Club

As of 8 August 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Rochester New York	2022	MLS Next Pro	10	0	1[a]	0	0	0	11	0
Dobrudzha	2023-24	Second League	7	0	—	—	—	—	7	0
Sportist Svoge	2024-25	Second League	2	0	—	—	—	—	2	0
Career Total			19	0	1	0	0	0	20	0

1. Appearances in U.S. Open Cup

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National Team	Year	Apps	Goals
Cape Verde	2022	1	0
Total		1	0

References

1. "Saiba como um atleta se mantém saudável para competir em alto". metropoles.com.
2. "Paulo Soares Joins Cape Verde National Team". bvmsports.com.
3. "The Paulo Project: Soares Rises From Quinnipiac to MLS Next Pro League".
4. "Quincy rallies at home". patriotledger.com.
5. "Soares hopes to leave Quinnipiac legacy with soccer title". nhregister.com.
6. "How Quinnipiac men's soccer prepared for its spring season after a 482-day break".
7. "Quinnipiac men's soccer charging out of the gates after last season's MAAC championship loss".
8. "Manhattan's Harwood and Quinnipiac's Soares Named Hercules Tires MAAC Student-Athletes of the Week".
9. "Paulo Soares é reforço do Rochester New York FC do MLS Next Pro nos Estados Unidos". criolosports.com.
10. "Done deal!". D360 Sports Management. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
11. "Quatro estreantes na convocatória de Bubista". criolosports.com.
12. "Cabo Verde faz sábado nos EUA amistoso com adversário "mundialista"". inforpress.cv.
13. "How the men's soccer team can get back on track after falling out of the MAAC tournament picture".

External links

• Paulo Soares at Soccerway