Midfielder
Pablo Mastroeni
5' 9"
Biography of retired USMNT soccer player Pablo Mastroeni who played in two World Cups and won the MLS Cup with the Colorado Rapids.
Caps: 65
Pablo Mastroeni made his initial impact in pro soccer as a member of the Miami Fusion, partnering fellow USMNT player Carlos Llamosa. Mastroeni turned that run of form into a shot with the full USMNT.
After a breakout performance at the 2002 World Cup in Korea, Mastroeni emerged as a rock in the defensive midfield for the USMNT and the Colorado Rapids. He played in his second World Cup for Bruce Arena in June of 2006, and had a major role in the 2007 Gold Cup win.
Mastroeni won the 2010 MLS Cup with the Rapids. With 225 appearances with Colorado, Mastroeni spent his final season with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He retired in 2013 and joined the Rapids front office staff as special assistant to the Technical Director. He became the team’s head coach at the start of the 2014 MLS season. Mastroeni left the Rapids in Aug, 2017. He joined the Houston Dynamo as an assistant coach in Nov, 2019. Mastroeni moved to Real Salt Lake as an assistant in 2021, taking over as interim coach in August and leading the team to the Western Conference finals. He got the RSL job permanently in December, 2021.
Photo by Trent Davol – ISIPhotos.com
USMNT Experience
2009
Started both June Qualifiers. Part of the squad for the Confederations Cup.
2008
- Earned his 60th cap captaining the National Team against Guatemala on Nov. 19th in Commerce City, CO.
2007
Made seven starts, including four at the Gold Cup. Captained team in February exhibition win over Mexico.
2006
Appeared in seven matches for the US. Started against the Czech Republic and Italy for the U.S. at the 2006 World Cup. Miss the decisive match versus Ghana due to a red card received in the 1-1 tie against Italy.
2005
Played in 11 matches, including six final round qualifiers (five starts). Won MVP honors in the 0-0 qualifying draw on away to Guatemalain September when he wore the captain's armband.
2004
Made his first three World Cup Qualifying appearances.
2003
Played 11 games (ten starts). Played in all five matches in USA's third-place finish in Gold Cup.
2002
Played 12 times (11 starts), including three starts against Portugal, Mexico, and Germany at 2002 World Cup.
2001
Earned his first cap against Ecuador on June 7, 2001, just weeks after attaining his US citizenship.
Professional Experience
2013
After playing seven games for the Rapids, traded to LA on Jun 17.
2012
Injury limited him to two appearances.
2011
Played in 30 games for Colorado.
2010
Won MLS Cup.
2009
Scored his first goal in four years against Chivas USA.
2008
Made the All-Star team for the ninth straight year and named team MVP with Colorado.
2007
Plated 23 games (21 starts) as the Rapids missed out on the playoffs. Became all-time league-leader in yellow cards received.
2006
Played 23 games, all starts, as the Rapids reached the Western Conference playoff final.
2005
Injuries and National Team limited him to 17 appearances (15 starts) overall as the Rapids made the Western Conference playoff final.
2004
Made 19 starts overall. Named captain in September after John Spencer relinquished the role.
2003
Started 18 games for the Rapids, recording two assists.
2002
Started just 20 games overall due to World Cup involvement. Registered three assists and led Rapids to the second round of the MLS playoffs. Taken first overall in MLS contraction draft by the Colorado Rapids.
2001
Helped the Miami Fusion to a league-best 16-5-5 regular season record and the MLS Cup semi-finals. He scored two goals in the 2001 season, the first two of his MLS career.
2000
Started first eight games at defensive midfield before moving to central defender and led the club in minutes played (2661) over 29 starts.
1999
Sat out start of the season due to a hip flexor injury, but returned to start and play the full 90 minutes in 21 of the Fusion's final 25 regular season and playoff games.
1998
Made his MLS debut with the Miami Fusion as a substitute against eventual MLS Cup champions Chicago Fire. He started both of the Fusion's playoff games vs. DC United. Played 25 games (19 starts), and registered four assists.
Youth and College
Mastroeni played his high school and club soccer in Arizona. He attended North Carolina State.
