Updated through December 12, 2020
Columbus (2020): Valenzuela made 19 regular-season appearances (17 starts as a left-back). The defender made his 2020 regular-season debut as a starter on Opening Match against New York City FC (March 1), before starting on the road against Seattle Sounders FC (March 7). He then made one start in the Group Stage match of the MLS is Back Tournament against Atlanta United* (July 21), where he provided his first assist of the 2020 regular-season on a Youness Mokhtar goal. Valenzuela made a total of two appearances (both starts) during the MLS is Back Tournament. Valenzuela started at home against Chicago Fire FC (August 20) and provided an assist for Derrick Etienne Jr.'s 20th-minute goal. He then made a substitute appearance on the road at New York City FC (August 24). Valenzuela made consecutive starts on the road against FC Cincinnati (August 29), at home against Philadelphia Union (September 2) and at home against FC Cincinnati (September 6). The defender then started in three consecutive matches from September 12 at Chicago Fire FC through September 23 versus Minnesota United FC at home. He then made five consecutive appearances (four starts) from September 27 through the October 18 home match against New York City FC. Valenzuela started on the road at the Houston Dynamo (October 24) and at home against the Philadelphia Union (November 1) before starting at home and providing his third regular-season assist at home against Atlanta United (November 8). In Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs action, the defender made four starts at home: against the New York Red Bulls (November 21), against Nashville SC (November 29), against the New England Revolution (December 6) and against Seattle Sounders FC (December 12) during MLS Cup 2020.
* MLS is Back Tournament Group Stage matches counted towards the 2020 MLS regular season
2019 (Columbus): Milton Valenzuela did not make an appearance for Crew SC in 2019. He underwent a successful Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction on his right knee on February 7 and missed out the entirety of the season.
2018 (Columbus): Milton Valenzuela made 30 regular-season appearances (29 starts as a leftback), providing one goal and six assists. He provided the game-winning assist while playing all 90 minutes during the first match of the season on the road against Toronto FC (March 3), in his Crew SC and MLS regular-season debut. For his efforts, he was named to the MLS Team of the Week. He also played all 90 minutes in the second and third matches of the season against the Montreal Impact (March 10) and the Philadelphia Union (March 17). Valenzuela scored a goal and was named to the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week for his effort against D.C. United (March 24). He came in as a substitute for Hector Jimenez in a home contest against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (March 31). Valenzuela returned to Crew SC’s starting lineup and played all 90 minutes in matches from a road match against the Chicago Fire (April 7) to a home match against the New England Revolution (April 21). Valenzuela recorded his second assist of the season in a home match against the San Jose Earthquakes (April 28). Following his start in a road contest against Seattle Sounders FC (May 5), Valenzuela was named to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week. He returned to the starting lineup in consecutive matches from a road match against the New England Revolution (May 19) to a road match against Los Angeles FC (June 23). Valenzuela was shown his fifth yellow card of the season during the match, and missed the match against Real Salt Lake (June 30) due to an MLS suspension as a result of yellow card accumulation. He made a substitute appearance in an international friendly at home against Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa (July 3). He returned to the starting lineup in MLS regular-season action in a road match against New York City FC (July 14) and in a home match against Orlando City SC (July 21). In a road match against the New York Red Bulls (July 28), Valenzuela recorded an assist on Patrick Mullins’ 24th-minute goal. Following a home match against the Houston Dynamo (August 11), he was named to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week. He returned to the starting lineup in a road match against the Chicago Fire (August 23), and started in the following home match against New York City FC (September 1). He started in consecutive matches from a road match against the Chicago Fire (August 23) to a home match against the Colorado Rapids (September 22). Against the Portland Timbers (September 19), Valenzuela provided an assist, his fourth of the year, on Niko Hansen’s seventh-minute goal. He continued to start in consecutive matches from a home contest against the Philadelphia Union (September 29) to a home match against Minnesota United FC (October 28). Valenzuela made three appearances (all starts as a leftback) in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs and provided one assist. He started in an Eastern Conference Knockout Round match against D.C. United (November 1). Valenzuela also started in both legs of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against he New York Red Bulls (November 4 and November 11) and provided a game-winning assist on Gyasi Zardes’ 61st-minute goal during Leg 1 (November 4). He made one appearance in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, coming on as a substitute for Connor Maloney in the 93rd minute of a Fourth Round home match against the Chicago Fire (June 6).
2017-2018 (Newell’s Old Boys): During the first part of the 2017-2018 season, Valenzuela made nine appearances (seven starts) in Primera Division. He also made two appearances (both starts) for the club in Copa Argentina, Argentina’s domestic cup.
2016-2017 (Newell’s Old Boys): Valenzuela was officially promoted to Newell’s Old Boys first team and made three appearances (three starts) in Primera Division.
2015-2016 (Newell’s Old Boys): Valenzuela made his debut with the club’s first team as a substitute in a Primera Division home match against Club Atletico de San Martin (February 6).
At the international level, Valenzuela has featured for Argentina’s Under-20 squad, earning 10 caps (nine starts). The defender featured in eight of Argentina’s nine matches at the 2017 South American Youth Football Championship, making seven starts while helping Argentina qualify for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea. Valenzuela also made two appearances (all starts) in the group stage of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Valenzuela is a product of Newell’s Old Boys youth academy, which he joined at the age of 14. He made his debut with Newell’s Old Boys first team at the age of 17.
Valenzuela is the son of Mauricio and Andrea, and he is an only child. In his spare time, he likes to remain active and practices Pilates, rides his bicycle and jogs. One of his favorite hobbies is playing billiards. Valenzuela likes to watch action movies and comedies, with his favorites being Fast and Furious films. He listens to cumbia and cumbia santafesina, His favorite musician is Leo Mattioli. Valenzuela enjoys reading all types of books. His favorite meal is an Argentine asado. Growing up, he looked up to Argentine forward Carlos Tevez. Valenzuela speaks Spanish and some English.
Columbus Crew SC acquired defender Milton Valenzuela on a permanent transfer from Newell’s Old Boys as a Young Designated Player on December 21, 2018. He will continue to occupy an international roster spot for Crew SC pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
Name: Milton Valenzuela (VAH-len-SWAY-la)
Position: Defender
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 145
Born: August 13, 1998 in Rosario, Argentina
Hometown: Rosario, Argentina
Citizenship: Argentina
Acquired: Originally arrived on loan from Newell’s Old Boys on January 26, 2018 and was acquired on a permanent transfer as a Young Designated Player on December 21, 2018.
Previous Experience: Columbus Crew SC (2018), Newell’s Old Boys (2016-2017)
