Aricca Vitanza is an Italian-American soccer player. She most recently played in Italy for Pink Sport Time Bari of Serie A (women's football).[1]

Aricca Vitanza
Personal information
Full name Aricca Vitanza
Date of birth 1989 (age 34–35)
Place of birth Los Angeles, California, United States
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2001–2007 Coast Soccer League
2004–2006 Oak Park High School
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 ŽFK Mašinac
2008–2009 Eurospin Torres
2010 Pali Blues
2010–2011 Orlandia '97
2011–2012 Heerenveen
2012–2013 FCF Como
2014–2015 Pink Sport Time Bari
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life edit

Vitanza started her career playing in AYSO, AYSO Allstars, and Coast Soccer Premier League. She attended Oak Park High School (California) and played on the women's Varsity soccer team where she helped the team become Tri Valley League Champions as well as a CIF Participant. Vitanza won the Tri Valley League Coaches Honorable Mention during her first year on the team.[2]

Playing career edit

ŽFK Mašinac PZP edit

Vitanza began her professional career in Nis, Serbia when she signed with top women's club ŽFK Mašinac PZP Niš in 2007. In signing with the club, she made history (along with her sister Catiana Vitanza) by becoming the first female American players to play in the Balkans. She played with Mašinac for the second half of their 2006/2007 season, coming in second place in the league. In 2008, Vitanza again returned to the club and helped them become champions of the Serbian Prva Liga as well as win the Serbian League Cup. She went on to aid Mašinac in UEFA Women's Champions League 2008–09 (formerly known as 2008–09 UEFA Women's Cup).[3]

Torres Calcio Femminile edit

At the start of the 2008/09 Serie A season, Vitanza signed with Italian club Torres Calcio Femminile. She helped Torres finish in second place in the Scudetto and earn their spot in UEFA Women's Champions League 2009-10. Vitanza also aided Torres in becoming champions of the Supercoppa Italiana competition, in which they defeated rivals A.S.D. CF Bardolino in the finals. Following Supercoppa competition, Vitanza participated in UEFA Champions League with Torres, in which they went on to defeat champion clubs from various European countries to ultimately reach the quarter-final stage.

Orlandia '97 edit

Vitanza returned to Europe in September 2011 and signed a contract with the newly promoted Italian Serie A club Orlandia '97 for the 2010/2011 season.

SC Heerenveen edit

Vitanza was invited to play for Dutch Eredivisie club SC Heerenveen for the 2011/2012 season. Her stint at the club had her playing center midfielder.[4][5]

FCF Como edit

In September 2012, Vitanza returned to Italy along with her sister Catiana Vitanza and signed with FCF Como for the 2012/2013 season of the Italian Serie A (women's football). She played as an attacking midfielder for the club.[6] [7]

W-League and WPSL edit

During her off seasons from European play, Vitanza played in the USL W-League and WPSL semi-professional leagues in the United States. Vitanza signed with the two-time USL W-League champions Pali Blues for the 2010 summer season of the W-League. The following year, she played for top WPSL club Ajax America Women for the 2012 Summer season. In May 2014, Vitanza played with Santa Clarita Blue Heat of the USL W-League.

Pink Sport Time Bari edit

In January 2015, Vitanza signed with Serie A club Pink Sport Time Bari for the second half of the 2014/2015 season.[8]

Personal life edit

Vitanza has spent most of her youth and professional careers playing alongside her sister Catiana Vitanza.

References edit

  1. ^ Loesing, John (April 9, 2009). "Oak Park soccer-loving sisters enjoying competing abroad". theacorn.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  2. ^ "Oak Park High School Varsity Alumni". ophsgirlssoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013.
  3. ^ "Two Oak Park pro players to compete in soccer tourney". August 14, 2008.
  4. ^ "Vitanza komt naar vrouwen Heerenveen" [Vitanza comes to Heerenveen] (in Dutch). Friesch Dagblad. July 17, 2011.
  5. ^ "PDF Aricca Vitanza Vrouwenelftal Heerenveen".
  6. ^ Salsano, Francesca (April 26, 2013). "Aricca, la paisà che ha lanciato Como: Il segreto? Dormo, mangio e mi alleno". milombardi.gazetta.it. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  7. ^ "Aricca Vitanza player profile on FCF Como 2000 official website". fcfcomo2000.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013.
  8. ^ "Pink Bari, ufficiale l'acquisto di Aricca Vitanza: arriva da Los Angeles". Geos News. January 6, 2015. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2015.