How it all came to be...
Adolfo Gregorio says his love of the game was inspired by his parents, from Portugal, who also had a passion for soccer. After suffering from a career ending injury, Gregorio's father rerouted his soccer focus in his son. He signed the young Gregorio up to play recreational soccer at the age of five. Even off the field, his father was always his toughest critic and most influential coach. Nearly 20 years later, "he still acts as my coach," Gregorio said.
At Hilmar High School in Hilmar, Calif., Gregorio was team captain for two years. By the time he graduated, he has started three years for Hilmar, was the league MVP in the 1998-1999 season, an all-league selection in 1996-1997, and two-time NSCAA All-American. Meanwhile, he was also playing club soccer with the Turlock Tornados.
Gregorio's international experience began with the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team in 1998 against the Solomon Islands in New Zealand. The team went on to finish a national-best fourth at the FIFA World Youth Championships in 1999. Playing in five championship games (starting one) Gregorio tallied two assists in the team's historic win over Argentina. He recorded a total of 22 caps and two assists with the U-17 Team. He was also a member of the U-18 and U-20 National Teams.
His experience and ambition landed him a midfield position with UCLA. Without many offers to play college level soccer, Gregorio called UCLA's coach, Tim Fitzgerald, and mentioned he wanted to play. Fitzgerald was delighted to hear the aspiring athlete wanted to be a Bruin. He offered Gregorio a full scholarship he would not regret. Despite missing the last six games of the season in 2000 due to an ankle injury, Gregorio earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors. He scored a goal in his collegiate debut against Butler and tallied three assists in the 5-0 win over San Diego State. In 2001 he also earned First-team All-Pac-10 selection among UCLA's scoring leaders.
His accomplishments in 2002 included College Soccer News' second-team All-American, Third-team NSCAA All-Far West honoree, and First-team All-Pac-10 selection for the second consecutive year. He was named to the College Cup All-Tournament team where he ranked third in goals with 9 scored goals and 24 points, including the game-winning goal against Maryland. Once named to Soccer America's Team of the Week, Pac-10 Player of the Week, and an All-Tournament selection, Gregorio continued his scoring streak with UCLA scoring the game winning goal against LMU in the NCAA second round of the quarterfinals. As a member of the U-23 National Team, he scored in the decisive penalty kick against Russia, sending the U.S. to the championship game, where they placed second.
Gregorio finished out his fourth and final season with UCLA as a three-time First-team All-Pac midfielder and 2003 Hermann Trophy candidate. He led the Bruins in assists with 14 and ranked third in scoring with 22 points.
The Colorado Rapids were the first MLS team to notice Gregorio's talent, drafting him in January of 2004. Before he even got a chance to explode onto the seen in MLS, he found his way over to England playing in the second division for Darlington Football Club for the next two seasons (2004-2005) where he scored two goals in 24 games. He was then acquired by RSL during the inaugural season on June 30, 2005. During the season, he acquired 359 minutes of play in six games (four starts).
Coach Ellinger's Call ...
"Adolfo is someone who I was familiar with from the 1999 U-17 Team. He went to New Zealand, and had a great career at UCLA. I still think that was the best I have ever seen him play were those two teams and in the final four the year that UCLA won the title. Sure he can dribble, he has great pace and can get in behind people and cross in. He is learning the league more and learning the opponents, but he certainly knows the game. The experience he picked up in Darlington in England has helped too."
Field Vision: Defender Brian Dunseth says...
"Adolfo is the type of player that causes problems for the opponent. He gets in behind and does whatever he can to get the ball in the box. As a teammate, he will back you up one-hundred percent of the time. As a friend, he is someone you know is always there for you. You can always count on having his support."
Things you need to know...
Nickname:
Fofo
Favorite athlete:
Luis Figo
Hobbies:
Motocross and just taking it easy
Most memorable moments:
Winning the National Championships with UCLA
Greatest accomplishment:
The opportunity to play professionally
Favorite music:
Everything
Favorite movie:
Blow and The Notebook
Favorite food:
Seafood
Favorite book:
"Scar Tissue"
Favorite TV show:
The OC
Major in college:
Sociology
Marital status:
Single
