Ricky Garbanzo

Ricardo "Ricky" Garbanzo (born August 26, 1992) is a Costa Rican-American soccer player who last played for Charleston Battery in the USL.

Ricky Garbanzo

Personal information
Full name	Ricardo Garbanzo
Date of birth	(1992-08-26) August 26, 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth	San Jose, Costa Rica
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Charleston Battery
Number	17
Youth career
2011–2014	Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014	K-W United	12	(1)
2015–2017	Charleston Battery	79	(9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 17, 2017

Career

College and amateur

Garbanzo moved to United States at age 7 and grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina.^[1] Garbanzo played soccer at Northwestern High School with future Battery teammate Shawn Ferguson. Garbanzo played college soccer at Coastal Carolina University, making a total of 94 appearances for the Chanticleers and tallying 40 goals and 21 assists.

Garbanzo also played for K-W United FC in the Premier Development League.^[2]

Professional

On December 31, 2014, it was announced that Garbanzo would take part in Major League Soccer's player combine.^[3] However, he went undrafted in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Following the draft he joined his hometown club Charleston Battery for training camp and earned a professional contract in March.

On March 21, 2015, he made his professional debut for the Battery in a 3–2 victory over Toronto FC II.^[4] During his rookie season Garbanzo became a first choice starter as a second striker behind teammate Dane Kelly, tallying 5 goals and 5 assists in 27 league appearances. Garbanzo plays as a defensive forward and is known for his hard-working and aggressive style of play, with manager Mike Anhaeuser nicknaming Garbanzo "Tricky Ricky" for his clever running and ability to provoke opponents.^[5] Following the season he was voted the club's newcomer of the year by fans.

His contract was not renewed following the 2017 season.