Jeff Attinella is a Florida guy, who thought he might spend the 2003 Major League Soccer season in Salt Lake City.
But he’s back in the Sunshine State, on loan from Real Salt Lake for the NASL season with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
A year ago the 24-year old Clearwater native, lined up in goal against the Strikers, leading the Tampa Bay Rowdies to the league championship. He came up big in the title game, stopping three penalties in a deciding shootout against Minnesota.
Last year he played every minute of every game for Tampa Bay. All 32 games.
He led the league in saves with 142 and had 11 shutouts, while posting a 1.07 goals against average. He was named the NASL’s Best XI goalkeeper.
“We’re excited to be able to add a player like Jeff to our tam,” offered Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. “Obviously, he knows our league and will be able to contribute right away.”
Attinella didn’t move far from home for college, playing at the University of South Florida, 2007-2010. He was a NSCAA first-Team All-America and Big East Goalkeeper of the Year for the Bulls.
During the summers he played in the USL with the Premier Development League Bradenton Academics.
Attinella was drafted in the first round of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft by Real Salt Lake as the #14 overall pick. However, he was released before being signed by RSL.
His first professional contract was with FC Tampa Bay in 2011. His stellar 2012 season with the Rowdies led to being signed by Real Salt Lake during the offseason.
As far as being in South Florida, Attinella is happy to be playing and making progress. A solid season in Fort Lauderdale could lead to a return to Salt Lake City.