Zarek Valentin

Valentin joined MNUFC after three seasons with the Houston Dynamo, where he started 50 matches and provided four assists. The fullback spent the majority of his career with the Portland Timbers, starting more than 80 MLS games and tallying four assists across four seasons. Valentin was a regular starter on the squad that went to the 2018 MLS Cup Final against Atlanta United.

With the Loons, Valentin played in 20 regular-season matches, made 15 starts, and assisted two goals. He was a proven leader, as seen in his composure and decision-making on the pitch.

The MLS veteran began his professional career with Chivas USA when he was selected fourth overall by the club in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. He started 24 games in his rookie season for Chivas USA and was selected by the Montreal Impact (now CF Montréal) in the 2011 Expansion Draft. Valentin played two seasons in Montreal before heading overseas, where he signed with FK Bodø/Glimt of the Norwegian First Division in 2013. He spent three seasons in Norway with FK Bodø/Glimt before returning to MLS in 2016 with the Timbers.

Valentin is joined by his wife, Beth, his son, Cam, and two dogs in Minnesota. Cam has become a recent member of the post-game tradition of running on the field alongside the fellow Loons children. 

INTERNATIONAL: Valentin is a member of the Puerto Rico National Team. Despite playing for the U.S. at a variety of youth levels, Valentin chose to represent Puerto Rico in October 2020 ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Tournament. He scored his first international goal in a Concacaf Nations League match against the Cayman Islands and, to date, has four caps for Puerto Rico.