HOW ACQUIRED: Signed on Jan. 13, 2014
Friend signed with the Galaxy January 24, 2014. Having played professional soccer in Norway, Netherland and Germany, Rob Friend is an experienced striker who sets to become a crucial member for the Galaxy’s offensive side. The former Canadian international returns to play in the U.S. for the first time since his college career in 2003.
Career Highlights
Rob Friend Bio:
Friend signed with the Galaxy January 24, 2014. Having played professional soccer in Norway, Netherland and Germany, Rob Friend is an experienced striker who sets to become a crucial member for the Galaxy’s offensive side. The former Canadian international returns to play in the U.S. for the first time since his college career in 2003.
MLS Highlights
2013: Friend made 10 appearances for TSV 1860 Munich in the 2. Bundesliga (German second division league) and contributed one goal and one assist.
2012: The target striker began his 2012/13 season as a member of Eintracht Frankfurt netting a brace in a single appearance. Friend was later loaned out to TSV 1860 Munich for the remaining season, where he collected an additional 4 goals and 3 assists in 14 games.
2011: Friend joined Eintracht Frankfurt for the 2011/12 season. Contributing one goal in 13 appearances, he helped the club secure the second place spot in the league, which resulted in the team’s automatic promotion.
2010: Playing as a member of Hertha BSC, Friend aided the team’s championship title and promotion to Bundesliga (Germany’s top division league) with five goals and six assists. Two of which include a brace against Arm. Bielefeld in a 2.Bundesliga game at home.
2009: Friend carried out a consistent performance throughout his second season in Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach, scoring three times and collecting two assists in 26 appearances.
2008: The team’s target striker netted seven goals in his first season in the Bundesliga on the Monchengladbach side. In a match against Bayern Munich, Friend nodded a crucial header, bringing the team back into game before Michael Bradley tied the scoreboard with an equalizer.
2007: Friend enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career following his move to Germany’s Borussia Monchengladbach. He scored career high 18 goals in 33 league games, including a hat-trick against Greuther Furth. The Canadian international led the team to win the 2.Bundesliga title along with the promotion to the Bundesliga.
2006: Friend found his debut goal in Eredivisie on his second league game representing Heerenveen. Collectively, Friend scored five times in 19 appearances before joining Heracles Almelo for the rest of the season, where he netted three goals in 12 games.
2005: The Canadian striker ended his three year spell at Molde FK of Norwegian Tippleigaen on a high note as he helped the team raise the Norweigian Footbal Cup by netting twice in 9 appearances.
2004: Friend showed significant growth as a player by finding the net 10 times in 25 league appearances of his second professional season.
2003: Friend signed with Moss of Tippeligaen (Norwegian Premiere League) despite being drafted by the Chicago Fire. In the middle of the season, he transferred to Molde FK, and scored twice in 6 games.
College Career
Friend spent his college career playing for Western Michigan before moving to UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. In UC Santa Barbara, Friend rose to prominence with 31 goals and nine assists in 40 appearances, winning the Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year award twice consecutively. He scored in 12 consecutive matches in his senior year, which ranks fifth all time in NCAA history.
National Team
Friend has gathered 32 caps for the Canadian National Team, contributing two goals and two assists. He made his international debut against the United States at the age of 21, and scored his first goal for his country in the 1-0 win against Jamaica on September 4, 2006. Friend’s last goal at an international level was against Brazil on May 2008.
College Career
Friend spent his college career playing for Western Michigan before moving to UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. In UC Santa Barbara, Friend rose to prominence with 31 goals and nine assists in 40 appearances, winning the Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year award twice consecutively. He scored in 12 consecutive matches in his senior year, which ranks fifth all time in NCAA history.
National Team
Friend has gathered 32 caps for the Canadian National Team, contributing two goals and two assists. He made his international debut against the United States at the age of 21, and scored his first goal for his country in the 1-0 win against Jamaica on September 4, 2006. Friend’s last goal at an international level was against Brazil on May 2008.