{{Short description|Canadian soccer player}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Portuguese name|Soares|Gomes}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Ricky Gomes |fullname = Richard Soares Gomes |image = |image_size = |caption = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|7|19|mf=y}} |birth_place = Kitchener, Ontario, Canada |height = 1.88m |position = Goalkeeper |currentclub = |clubnumber = |youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Kitchener SC |youthyears2 = 2008–2010 |youthclubs2 = Porto |youthyears3 = 2009–2010 |youthclubs3 = → Padroense (loan) |youthyears4 = 2010–2011 |youthclubs4 = Gondomar |youthyears5 = 2011–2012 |youthclubs5 = Vitória Setubal |years1 = 2010–2011 |clubs1 = Gondomar |caps1 = 0 |goals1 = 0 |years2 = 2012 |clubs2 = Sousense |caps2 = |goals2 = |years3 = 2012–2013 |clubs3 = Mirandela |caps3 = 1 |goals3 = 0 |years4 = 2013–2014 |clubs4 = União Montemor |caps4 = 5 |goals4 = 0 |years5 = 2014–2015 |clubs5 = Deportivo B |caps5 = 0 |goals5 = 0 |years6 = 2015 |clubs6 = MVV Maastricht |caps6 = 0 |goals6 = 0 |years7 = 2015–2016 |clubs7 = AC Malveira |caps7 = 1 |goals7 = 0 |years8 = 2016–2018 |clubs8 = Arbroath |caps8 = 33 |goals8 = 0 |years9 = 2018–2019 |clubs9 = Olhanense |caps9 = 3 |goals9 = 0 |years10 = 2019 |clubs10 = Casa Pia |caps10 = 4 |goals10 = 0 |years11 = 2019–2020 |clubs11 = União Madeira |caps11 = 14 |goals11 = 0 |years12 = 2020 |clubs12 = Atlético Ottawa |caps12 = 0 |goals12 = 0 |years13 = 2022 |clubs13 = Simcoe County Rovers |caps13 = 15 |goals13 = 0 |years14 = 2024 |clubs14 = BVB IA Waterloo B |caps14 = 1 |goals14 = 0 |totalcaps = 77+ |totalgoals = 0 |nationalyears1 = 2015 |nationalteam1 = Canada U23 |nationalcaps1 = 1 |nationalgoals1 = 0 |medaltemplates = |pcupdate = June 12, 2024 |ntupdate = }}
'''Richard Soares Gomes''' (born July 19, 1993) is a Canadian former professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper.
==Early career== Gomes began playing soccer at age four with Kitchener Youth SC.<ref name=canada>{{Canada Soccer player|id=68}}</ref> He later became part of the Ontario provincial program and at age 13 went to a tournament hosted by Brazilian club Cruzeiro, where he attracted the interest of a few Brazilian clubs, but his parents did not want him to move to Brazil on his own.<ref name=spoke>{{Cite web|url=https://spokeonline.com/2013/04/between-the-sticks/|title=Canadian goalkeeper plying his trade in Portugal|date=April 8, 2013|work=Spoke|first=Dylan|last=Da Costa}}</ref>
He left Canada at age 14 to move to Portugal to pursue his soccer career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/atletico-ottawa-signs-goalkeeper-ricky-gomes-and-fullback-michel-djaozandry|title=Atlético Ottawa signs goalkeeper Ricky Gomes and fullback Michel Djaozandry|date=March 10, 2020|work=Canadian Premier League}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ottawasun.com/sports/soccer/atletico-ottawa-announces-signings-of-djaozandry-gomes|title=Atlético Ottawa announces signings of Djaozandry, Gomes|date=March 10, 2020|work=Ottawa Sun}}</ref> He went on trials with the youth sides of Portuguese clubs Benfica and Sporting, Italian club Empoli, and Spanish side Espanyol, with Benfica inviting him back for their U16 team's preseason, however, he was then offered a trial and contract with the youth team of Portuguese club F.C. Porto, who were located closer to his family, ultimately joining their U17 program.<ref name=spoke /> His aunt in Portugal had been influential in organizing the various trials, emailed the Portuguese big three clubs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/atletico-ottawas-ricky-gomes-credits-david-edgar-for-cpl-bound-career|title=Atlético Ottawa's Ricky Gomes credits David Edgar for CPL-bound career|date=March 11, 2022|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Marty|last=Thompson}}</ref> After a season with Porto in which he did not play much, he went on loan with the U19 side of Padroense, while also continuing to train with Porto, helping Padroense win their division and being promoted to the first division.<ref name=spoke />
After that season, he moved to the Gondomar youth system, while also serving as the third-choice keeper for the first team.<ref name=tenacity>{{cite web|url=https://nsxinetwork.com/ricky-gomes-a-lesson-in-tenacity/|first=Nathanael|last=Martin|title=Ricky Gomes: A Lesson in Tenacity|work=Northern Starting XI|date=February 9, 2019}}</ref> Afterwards, he joined Vitória Setubal, where he eventually had to leave the club, after not being paid for five months.<ref name=tenacity />
==Club career== In 2012, after spending pre-season with Braga, he was unable to join the club as Setubal blocked his transfer.<ref name=tenacity />
Ultimately, in 2012, he joined UD Sousense in the Portuguese lower divisions, before later joining Mirandela of the third tier Campeonato de Portugal in late 2012,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brigantia.pt/noticia/corunha-e-leandro-em-duvida-para-o-bessa|title=Corunha e Leandro em dúvida para o Bessa|language=pt|trans-title=A Coruña and Leandro in doubt for Bessa|date=October 5, 2012|work=Brigantia}}</ref> initially serving as the back-up goalkeeper.<ref name=spoke /> After the club sold their starting keeper, Gomes became the first-choice keeper, however, in the first practice after his first start, he suffered an injury, putting him out of action.<ref name=spoke />
Afterwards, he joined another Portuguese club in the Campeonato de Portugal, União Montemor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dn.pt/desporto/futebol-internacional/richard-gomes-do-uniao-montemor-para-o-deportivo-4168391.html|title=Richard Gomes, do União Montemor para o Deportivo|trans-title=Richard Gomes, from União Montemor to Deportivo|language=pt|date=October 8, 2014|work=Diário de Notícias|first=João|last=Ruela}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.record.pt/internacional/paises/espanha/detalhe/richard-gomes-assina-pelo-deportivo-908655|title=Richard Gomes assina pelo Deportivo|date=October 8, 2014|language=pt|trans-title=Richard Gomes signs for Deportivo|work=Record}}</ref>
In October 2014, Gomes signed with Deportivo La Coruña B, in the Spanish Tercera División.<ref>{{cite web|title=21-year-old Kitchener native joins Spanish soccer club|url=https://www.therecord.com/sports-story/4902422-21-year-old-kitchener-native-joins-spanish-soccer-club/|first=Mark|last=Bryson|work=Waterloo Region Record|date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> However, Deportivo was concerned about signing him to a full contract, as they would have to pay all of his previous clubs a fee, as well as Gomes' dedication to the Canada national team program which caused him to miss multiple games.<ref name=tenacity /> He departed the club in January 2015.
In January 2015, he joined Dutch club MVV Maastricht, before departing in June.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/life/2015/07/03/kitchener-goalkeeper-aims-for-top-job-on-canadian-squad.html|title=Kitchener goalkeeper aims for top job on Canadian squad|first=Mark|last=Bryson|work=Waterloo Region Record|date=July 3, 2015}}</ref>
In 2015, he returned to Portugal, signing with Campeonato de Portugal side AC Malveira.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
In July 2016, he moved to Scottish club Arbroath in the Scottish League Two.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/arbroath-sign-canadian-keeper|title=Arbroath sign Canadian keeper|date=July 13, 2016|work=Scottish Professional Football League}}</ref> He made his unofficial debut in pre-season on July 9, as a second-half substitute against Raith Rovers,<ref name=reup/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.raithrovers.net/25606/arbroath-0-4-raith-rovers.htm|title=Rovers End Pre-Season On A High|date=July 9, 2016|work=Raith Rovers F.C.}}</ref> He made his official debut on August 2 in the 2016–17 Scottish Challenge Cup against Inverness Caledonian Thistle U20, having to leave the match due to injury.<ref name=reup/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://spfl.co.uk/league/challenge-cup/results/860657|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle U20 0-3 Arbroath|date=August 2, 2016|work=Scottish Professional Football League}}</ref> He did not see action again until the 8th league match of the season, following an injury to keeper Robbie Mutch.<ref name=reup /> In the following match, he played his first full match, earning Man of the Match honours after keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over Forfar Athletic on October 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arbroathfc.co.uk/ricky-gomes-man-of-the-match-award/|date=October 18, 2016|title=Ricky Gomes – Man of the Match Award|work=Arbroath F.C.}}</ref> Serving as the first choice keeper for the remainder of the season, he helped the club win the League Two title and promotion to the Scottish League One.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arbroathfc.co.uk/ricky-gomes-2/|title=Ricky Gomes|date=May 14, 2018|work=Arbroath F.C.}}</ref> After the season, he re-signed with the club for another season.<ref name=reup>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arbroathfc.co.uk/ricky-gomes/|title=Ricky Gomes Re-signed|date=June 8, 2017|work=Arbroath F.C.}}</ref>
In 2018, he joined Olhanense in the third tier Campeonato de Portugal.<ref name=tenacity /> After serving primarily as a substitute goalkeeper, with limited opportunities, he moved to Casa Pia in February 2019, who played in the same division.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://olhanensenet.wordpress.com/2019/02/08/ricky-gomes-assinou-pelo-casa-pia/|title=Ricky Gomes assinou pelo Casa Pia|trans-title=Ricky Gomes signed for Casa Pia|language=pt|date=February 8, 2019|work=OlhanenseNet}}</ref> He was part of Casa Pia's 2019 title winning team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dn.pt/desportos/vilafranquense-casa-pia-acompanhe-aqui-o-jogo-do-titulo-do-campeonato-de-portugal-11037598.html#media-1|title=Casa Pia sagra-se campeão do Campeonato de Portugal|language=pt|date=June 23, 2019|work=Diário de Notícias|trans-title=Casa Pia becomes champion of the Campeonato de Portugal}}</ref>
In August 2019, he joined União Madeira.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/portugal/diario-de-noticias-madeira/20190815/281900184849958|title=Ricky Gomes e Alexandre Ferreira apresentados no União|trans-title=Ricky Gomes and Alexandre Ferreira presented at União|language=pt|work=Diario de Noticias Madeira|date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>
In March 2020, Gomes signed with Atlético Ottawa of the Canadian Premier League,<ref>{{cite web|title=Goalkeeper Ricky Gomes joins Atlético Ottawa's Roster|url=https://canpl.ca/article/goalkeeper-ricky-gomes-joins-atletico-ottawas-roster|work=Canadian Premier League |date=March 10, 2020}}</ref> returning to Canada after 12 years in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/sports/soccer/2020/07/30/defender-david-edgar-and-keeper-ricky-gomes-to-return-as-canadian-premier-league-launches-condensed-season-in-pei.html|title=Kitchener pro soccer players headed to 'Island Games'|date=July 30, 2020|work=Waterloo Region Record|first=Josh|last=Brown}}</ref> He was attracted to joining the club, due to the club being owned by Spanish club Atlético Madrid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/sports/soccer/2020/06/12/kitchener-keeper-ricky-gomes-comes-full-circle.html|title=Kitchener keeper Ricky Gomes comes full circle|date=June 12, 2020|work=Waterloo Region Record|first=Josh|last=Brown}}</ref> He departed the club after the season, upon the expiry of his contract with the club deciding to not renew his contract, after not having made an appearance for the club in the shortened season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/atletico-ottawa-ricky-gomes-release/|title=Atletico Ottawa Announces Gomes Departure|date=November 27, 2020|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://atleticoottawa.canpl.ca/article/roster-news-canadian-goalkeeper-ricky-gomes-released|first=Nicholas|last=Ryan|date=November 27, 2020|work=Atlético Ottawa|title=Roster News – Canadian Goalkeeper Ricky Gomes Released}}</ref>
In May 2022, he joined the Simcoe County Rovers in League1 Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/simcoe-county-rovers-ricky-gomes/|title=Simcoe County Rovers Add European Experience Through Ricky Gomes|date=May 11, 2022|first=John|last=Jacques|work=Northern Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/55495966|title=Richard Gomes 2022 L1O Stats|work=League1 Ontario}}</ref>
==International career== Gomes made his debut in the Canadian youth program in 2012, under then-coach Nick Dasovic<ref name=canada /> He was part of the Canadian team that competed at the 2013 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship and played for Canada U23 at the 2015 Pan Am Games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/sports/waterloo-region/2020/03/10/kitchener-keeper-ricky-gomes-returns-home.html|title=Kitchener keeper Ricky Gomes returns home|date=March 10, 2020|work=Waterloo Region Record}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/sports/waterloo-region/2015/06/19/goalkeeper-gomes-named-to-pan-am-games-soccer-team.html|title=Goalkeeper Gomes named to Pan Am Games soccer team|date=June 19, 2015|work=Waterloo Region Record}}</ref>
==Post-playing career== In October 2023, he joined BVB IA Waterloo as a youth team coach.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=bvbiawaterloo|number=1717643351304949920|title=BVB IA Waterloo Coach Announcement|date=October 26, 2023}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerway|richard-soares-gomes/264551}} *{{FPF club player|826925}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gomes, Ricky}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:Canadian men's soccer players Category:Soccer players from Kitchener, Ontario Category:Canadian people of Portuguese descent Category:Sportspeople of Portuguese descent Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players Category:Campeonato de Portugal (league) players Category:Tercera División players Category:Scottish Football League players Category:Ontario Premier League players Category:Canada men's under-23 international soccer players Category:Canada men's youth international soccer players Category:FC Porto players Category:Padroense F.C. players Category:Gondomar S.C. players Category:Vitória S.C. players Category:Deportivo Fabril players Category:MVV Maastricht players Category:Arbroath F.C. players Category:S.C. Olhanense players Category:Casa Pia A.C. players Category:C.F. União players Category:Atlético Ottawa players Category:Simcoe County Rovers FC players Category:Waterloo United players Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen Category:AC Malveira players