About Rob Friend
Robert Douglas Friend (born 23 January 1981) is a Canadian former professional soccer player, the president and co-founder of Vancouver FC, the CEO and co-founder of Pacific FC, the founder of Toca Football Canada, the co-founder of Canadian Premier League, the managing partner of SixFive Sport Fund also DRG Investment Group, and currently appointed as chief executive officer for Malaysia national team. == Early life and education == Friend was born 23 January 1981 in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Canada, and grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia. He was the first Kelowna-based player to make the British Columbia Provincial team, a collection of top youth players, and was named captain of the 1997 team. Friend was exposed to senior level play early, appearing for Okanagan Challenge of the Premier Development Soccer League as well as appearing in an exhibition for the Vancouver 86ers of the A-League. Despite training with English club Crewe Alexandra F.C., Friend decided to attend Western Michigan University instead of turning pro. He played college soccer for the Western Michigan Broncos from 1999 to 2000, appearing in 40 games and scoring nine goals. Friend transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and finished his collegiate career with the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team. As a senior, Friend scored in 12 consecutive matches which ranks fifth in NCAA Division I history. He appeared in 40 games for the Gauchos, scoring 31 goals and assisting on 9 more. He was named as a 2002 All-American, becoming the first Gaucho in 32 years to receive the honour.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.