Raffaele Ruotolo

Who is Raffaele Ruotolo?

Raffaele Ruotolo is a retired American soccer midfielder who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League and Continental Indoor Soccer League.

When he was five, Ruotolo moved to Naples, Italy with his family. In 1981, he began his career with local amateur club Casalnuovo. In 1982, he moved to Napoli. In 1984, Ruotolo visited an uncle in San Diego, California. While there, he had a successful trial with the San Diego Sockers of the North American Soccer League. Although signed before the outdoor season, Ruotolo never earned spot on the first team. However, he worked his way into the Sockers indoor team that fall. He gradually became a regular starter, seeing time in forty-five games during the 1987-1988 season. Despite that, the Sockers released Ruotolo on October 20, 1988. Coach Ron Newman stated, “"I felt the roster was too offensive minded. Right now it is critical for us to improve our defense.” Ruotolo was a defensive midfielder, but tended to play a more offensive role. On June 1, 1993, the Los Angeles United selected Ruotolo in the first round of the 1993 Continental Indoor Soccer League supplemental draft. In 1994, new ownership moved United to Anaheim and renamed it the Anaheim Splash. In September 1996, Ruotolo left the Splash.