Carlos Varela

MLS EXPERIENCE

2010: Needing reinforcements late in the season due to injuries, United signed Swiss League veteran Carlos Varela on 9/14. Making his debut at the Los Angeles Galaxy just four days later, the veteran Spaniard went on to play in all six remaining games in the season (one start).

OTHER EXPERIENCE

2009-2010: Playing in his 17th season and for his fifth team in the Swiss Super League, Varela scored three times in 26 appearances for NE Xamax in the 2009-2010 campaign. After starting four games for the club from Neuchâtel, Switzerland earlier this year, Varela became a free agent and began his trial with D.C. United on 8/24/10. 

2005-2009: After a successful run with Aarau, the midfielder left for Bern, the capital city of Switzerland, and became a staple of the Swiss side Young Boys for the next four seasons. Varela appeared in 111 games for Young Boys, more than with any other club in his career. During his time with the squad, the winger scored 15 goals and started a UEFA Cup match in the 2008-2009 tournament.

2003-2005: Varela moved on to FC Aarau and found the back of the net nine times in 51 appearances for the side.

2000-2003: Varela departed Servette again for his second stint with FC Basel and contributed to the team’s 2002 league championship and its 2003 Swiss Cup title, also playing in eight UEFA Champions League matches with the club during its run to the second group stage of the 2002-03 tournament. In 76 domestic appearances during this four-year period in Basel, Varela scored five goals for the 13-time league champions.

1993-2000: Varela began his career with Servette in 1993 and scored 11 goals in 56 matches for the senior side between 1995 and 1998. After a brief, 12-game spell with FC Basel in 1999, the attack-minded winger returned to Servette for 30 matches from 1999-2000 and notched another three tallies for the Geneva-based outfit.

HONORS

• Swiss Super League champion: 2002
• Swiss Cup champion: 2003

ACQUIRED

Signed with D.C. United on 09/14/10