Christian Zeppieri (born May 4, 2003) is a Canadian professional soccer player for York United FC and also plays in U Sports for the York Lions.

Christian Zeppieri
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-05-04) May 4, 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Maple, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2008–2017 Vaughan Azzurri
2017–2020 Toronto FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– York Lions 17 (5)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021 Vaughan Azzurri 10 (2)
2023 Vaughan Azzurri 19 (1)
2024 York United FC 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of August 15, 2024

Early life

edit

Zeppieri played youth soccer with Vaughan Azzurri and the Toronto FC Academy and also spent a year playing club soccer in Italy.[1]

University career

edit

In 2023, Zeppieri began attending York University, where he played for the men's soccer team.[1] In the first game of the 2023 season on September 1, he scored the tying goal via a penalty kick in a 1-1 draw against the Laurier Golden Hawks.[2] In his rookie season, he was twice named the York Lions Athlete of the Week.[3][4] He helped York advance to the OUA final, but missed the final due to suspension, after earning a second yellow card in the semi-final after removing his jersey in celebration after scoring a goal.[5] At the end of his rookie season, he was named the OUA West MVP and an OUA First Team All-Star,[6][7] and was also named a U Sports First Team All-Canadian.[8] He was also name the school's Male Athlete of the Year for 2023-24.[9] In 2024, he was again named the OUA West MVP and an OUA West First Team All-Star,[10] and was also award the Joe Johnson Memorial Trophy, as the most outstanding player of U Sports men's soccer.[11]

Club career

edit

In 2021 and 2023, Zeppieri played with Vaughan Azzurri in League1 Ontario.[12][13]

At the 2024 CPL-U Sports Draft, Zeppieri was selected in the first round (fourth overall) by York United FC.[14][15] In April 2024, he signed a U Sports contract with the club, allowing him to maintain his university eligibility.[16] In August 2024, he departed the club to return to university, with the club retaining his rights for the 2025 season.[17]

Career statistics

edit
As of June 28, 2024[18]
Club Season League Playoffs Domestic Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Vaughan Azzurri 2021[12] League1 Ontario 10 2 0 0 1 0
2023[13] 19 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
Total 29 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 31 3
York United FC 2024 Canadian Premier League 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Career total 37 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 39 3

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Christian Zeppieri York Lions profile". York Lions.
  2. ^ Kaur, Arpan (September 2, 2023). "Zeppieri zaps Hawks with late equalizer to earn season-opening draw for Lions". York Lions.
  3. ^ "Zeppieri, Hannah, Ives named York Athletes of the Week for period ending Sept. 17". York Lions. September 18, 2023.
  4. ^ "Zeppieri, Mclennan named York Athletes of the Week for period ending Nov. 5". York Lions. November 6, 2023.
  5. ^ Steiner, Ben (November 2, 2023). "Zeppieri sees red for shirt celebration as York advance to OUA Final". 49 Sport.
  6. ^ "Zeppieri wins OUA West MVP, Attardo, Ramirez earn All-Star selections". York Lions. November 2, 2023.
  7. ^ "Veteran Marzouk, newcomer Zeppieri take home top honours at opposite ends of varsity tenure". Ontario University Athletics. November 2, 2023.
  8. ^ "Zeppieri named U Sports First-Team All Canadian following stellar rookie campaign". York Lions. November 8, 2023.
  9. ^ "Best and brightest of 2023-24 take centre stage at 55th annual York varsity athletics banquet". York Lions. April 4, 2024.
  10. ^ "Coore, Zeppieri claim most valuable player honors for their championship bound teams". Ontario University Athletics. November 1, 2024.
  11. ^ "Christian Zeppieri named U Sports men's soccer player of the year". U Sports. November 6, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Christian Zeppieri 2021 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
  13. ^ a b "Christian Zeppieri 2023 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
  14. ^ "York United FC select Christian Zeppieri and Jason Hartill in 2024 CPL-U Sports Draft". York United FC. December 14, 2023.
  15. ^ "Zeppieri Taken By York United FC In 2024 CPL-U Sports Draft". York Lions. December 14, 2023.
  16. ^ "York United FC announce signing of midfielder Christian Zeppieri to U SPORTS contract". York United FC. April 12, 2024.
  17. ^ "CPL clubs announce multiple U SPORTS players remaining with teams, returning to university". Canadian Premier League. August 15, 2024.
  18. ^ Christian Zeppieri at Soccerway
edit