Richie Laryea

PLAYER PROFILE:  RICHIE LARYEA

By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)

Position: Midfielder
Primary Role: Wide Midfielder
Height: 5’9””
Weight: 150
DOB: 01/07/1995
Nationality: Canada
Preferred Footed: Right
Club: Orlando City SC (MLS)
Twitter: @RMontanaa

Called into Canada U18 Development Camp.

Drafted 7th overall by Orlando City SC in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.

2014: Sigma FC (L1O) – 11 games, 3 goals
2014: Akron (NCAA – D1) – 20 games, 20 starts, 1 goals, 2 assists, 7 shots on target, 8 yellows
2015: Sigma FC (L1O) – 12 games, 6 goals, 12 assists
2015: Akron (NCAA – D1) – 22 games, 22 starts, 11 goals, 7 assists, 27 shots on target, 6 yellows

Coming out of Mississauga, Ontario based Sigma FC, the same academy that produced First overall draft pick in 2015 MLS SuperDraft/2015 MLS Rookie of the Year Cyle Larin, Richie Laryea progressed through the ranks before graduating to the clubs highest level in League One Ontario. He was also called into the Canadian U-18 development team and graduated High School early so he could attend classes at Akron in January 2014.

Richie spent the summer of 2014 playing with Sigma FC in the inaugural League One Ontario season, playing alongside Larin as well as former MLS player Emery Welshman. Laryea left mid-season to attend his first year at Akron University after scoring three goals in 11 games. Laryea was a starter with Akron as a freshman playing and starting in 20 games. He only scored one goal and added two assists, but was still named to the All-Mid-American Second Team.

Richie spent the summer of 2015 with Sigma FC again in League One Ontario and was far more dominant offensively, scoring six goals and adding 12 assists in just 12 games. This form continued as he joined the Zips for his sophomore season. He started getting national attention after scoring two goals and adding an assist against Maryland on September 7. Richie finished the 2015 season scoring 11 goals and adding 7 assists in 22 games, helping lead the Zips to the National Championship semi-finals. Further strong games against Rutgers and Creighton in the tournament created some buzz around Larrea, leading to him signing a GA contract and becoming eligible for the 2016 MLS SuperDraft

Laryea is a typical winger with good speed, ball playing skills, is able to run in from the wing and score from the top of box. He has a strong shot, likes to shoot from long range and as an asset on set pieces as a player that can turn a clearance into a crossing or shooting opportunity. He has good size as a winger and is willing to take responsibilities of all parts of the game, including defending which has also lead to a number of yellow cards in college. Richie is a player that can develop as an asset for a MLS club. Laryea was drafted 7th overall by Orlando City SC in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, joining his former Sigma FC and fellow Canadian Cyle Larin.

+ Played for Sigma FC Academy
+ Called into the U18 Canada Development Camp
+ Played two seasons with Sigma FC in League One Ontario
+ Played two seasons with Akron in NCAA Division 1
+ Was named to the ProspectXI 2015 NCAA D-1 Team of the Year
+ Drafted 7th overall by Orlando City SC in 2016 MLS SuperDraft