Joga Bonito: play beautiful – the concept of returning soccer to its high and honorable state
When your highlight reel on IG opens with you chipping the goalkeeper from just inside the half field stripe against the number eight team in the country, Stanford, like Gabriel Costa’s does, it would seem like you grasp the concept.
Rochester New York Football Club Head coach Bruno Baltazar believes Gabriel Costa will provide some midfield magic that will energize his team model in the final third.
“Highly talented offensive midfielder, with amazing technique and quality decisions on the last third of the field. Can give a magical touch to the team game”
Sporting Director Dr. Lee Tucker has announced a series of technical players from the collegiate ranks over the past ten days, but the announcement of Gabriel Costa is the first time we have heard him say “wow” – literally.
“He does things with a ball that make you go wow. That is the type of player I hope our fans want to see. Someone who excites them and gets them on the edge of their seats.”
Gabriel Costa scored twenty goals and added twenty-two assists for Southern Methodist University over his three-year career with the Mustangs. Along the way he earned All-America honors and a spot on the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List that recognizes the most talented players in college soccer in the country.
The Brazilian native is excited about the prospect of matriculating his game from the college stage into MLS Next Pro in Rochester this season.
“I am very excited to arrive in Rochester! When I learned RNYFC was interested I felt like it was the right place for me. I am ready to meet everyone and to start the hard work for a successful season!”
Joga Bonito meets #BelieveImpossible – debuting on the field at Monroe Community College this April and continuing all summer long.
Rochester New York Football Club has signed Attacking Midfielder Gabriel Costa to an MLS NEXT Pro PROFESSIONAL contract, pending league and U.S. Soccer Federation approval, in addition to his ITC and work authorization. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Transaction: Rochester New York Football Club signs Gabriel Costa to MLS NEXT Pro PROFESSIONAL contract.
Name: Gabriel Costa
Pronunciation: gey-bri-uhl KOHS-tah
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height: 5 FT AND 7 IN
Weight: 160 LBS
Nationality: Brazilian
Last Club: Southern Methodist University
