Diego Rodriguez to play for U20 Puerto Rican National Team

Smithfield, R.I. – Freshman Diego Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) of the Bryant University men's soccer team has been selected to play for the U20 Puerto Rican National Team.

Rodriguez will compete for the Puerto Rican U20 National Team at the FIFA U-20 Qualifiers between February 19-23 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In Rodriguez's first year as a Bulldog, he appeared in all 16 games, started in six of them, and recorded his first-career assist vs. UMass (Sep 17).

This is a huge accomplishment and one that Rodriguez has been wanting since he was a child.

 "When I got the call I was extremely excited and happy because growing up all I ever wanted to do was play soccer at the highest level and represent my country," Rodriguez said.

Playing for the national team will help Rodriguez in his future as a player for the Black and Gold.

 "I believe that playing for the national team will add another great experience that will give me an extra boost to keep getting better every day and will motivate me to keep pushing the Bryant Men's Soccer program to success alongside my hardworking teammates," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez's family, friends, and coaches have helped him throughout his soccer career.

"I want to say thank you to all my coaches and teammates from San Juan FC, PR especially German Lubary, the coaches at Beachside Academy, and of course Seamus Purcell, Nathan Kronewetter, and Sam Matteson that push me to get better every day," Rodriguez said. "Also a big hug to my four siblings and my parents Yolanda Pagan and Victor Rodriguez without them I wouldn't be where I am today."

About the FIFA U-20 World Cup 

The tournament started in 1977 and was held in Tunisia. Since then it has occurred every two years and the 2021 FIFA U-20 World Cup will be held in Indonesia starting in May of 2021.