Rob Friend

Norway

After graduation from UCSB, Friend went on trial with Moss FK in December 2002. After a positive showing, he signed a two-year deal in December 2002 for Moss FK's upcoming 2003 Norwegian First Division season. Despite his contract with Moss FK, Friend was drafted in the 4th Round (35th Overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire making him the first player from UCSB drafted to MLS. Friend made 41 league appearances and scored 16 league goals for Moss FK over his two-season span with the club before being transferred to Molde FK in August 2004. With Molde, he won the 2005 Norwegian Football Cup and scored a goal in the final. He remained with the Molde FK until 2006, making 40 league appearances and scoring 14 league goals for the club.

The Netherlands

Early 2006 saw interest in Friend rise with Crystal Palace F.C. and Vålerenga Fotball among teams looking to purchase him. It was announced in late March 2006 that he was sold to SC Heerenveen ahead of the 2006–07 Eredivisie season. Per terms of the agreement, his last game for Molde FK was in July and a portion of the transfer fee went to his original club Moss FK. After making 19 appearances with Heerenveen and scoring five goals, he was loaned to Heracles Almelo in January 2007 to conclude the 2006–07 Eredivisie season. Despite his contributions, Heerenveen deemed him surplus to requirements and transferred him.

Germany

During the 2007–08 season Friend scored 18 goals in 33…

Friend has represented Canada at the U-20, U-23, and senior levels. He saw action in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, as well as the 2004 CONCACAF Men Pre-Olympic Tournament. Friend debuted with the senior international team on 18 January 2003 in a friendly with the United States. Since then, and as of February 2013, he has been capped 32 times by his country, scoring twice. He has represented Canada in five FIFA World Cup qualification matches.

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.

Friend was inducted into the UCSB Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. In August 2014, he was named as the inaugural sports ambassador for the Academy for Canadians in Sports and Entertainment – Los Angeles. Friend is married to Marisa Lauren "Mari" Bell, a former UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball player. The couple have three children. Friend was featured in the book Saskatchewan Soccer People: Martin Nash, Rob Friend, Kevin Holness, Jordan Schidlowsky, Brian Philley, Norman Sheldon, Amy Vermeulen.