Dani Rovira Returns to New England
The former member of the New England Revolution Academy returns to the region
Dani Rovira first arrived in New England as a teenager, now he returns approximately a decade later a much different player and person.
After arriving from Colombia, Rovira was taking trains and busses to get to training as a young player and member of the Revolution Academy. He was also learning a new language on top of trying to be a better player on the pitch.
“It was a whole process, but I just always had the faith and belief that it was going to be worth it,” he told The Blazing Musket.
The process would continue as Rovira played collegiately for Dean College and the University of Vermont. At Dean College, Rovira was named to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association All-America Second Team as a sophomore after finishing the season with seven assists. In his final two collegiate seasons with the Catamounts, Rovira made 23 starts in 33 appearances, recording two assists in 2,114 minutes.
After college, Rovira ended up earning his first professional contract with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. It was the place he called home from 2019 until the end of 2024.
Since making his professional debut in the USL Championship, Rovira racked up 138 appearances in six seasons with Pittsburgh. The Colombian tallied one goal and 14 assists in nearly 7,000 minutes played.
Considering the amount of time that he spent with the Riverhounds, it isn’t surprising to hear that his stint in Pittsburgh had an impact on Rovira. The 28-year-old noted that he learned the importance of being flexible and willing to take advantage of any opportunity he was given.
“In Pittsburgh, I got to learn a lot about myself, especially coming to a team when I was very young and knowing that there was opportunities but there was not really one exact position or thing that I needed to be or become,” Rovira said. “I believed and learned that sometimes you just have to be ready for what the team needs and be able to help.”
But now Rovira is excited to be back in New England. Rhode Island FC is obviously a talented team but the Colombian gets the opportunity to once again be coached by Khano Smith and Karl Spratt. Both Smith and Spratt coached Rovira when he was with the Revolution Academy.
The 28-year-old noted the personal nature of Smith’s approach to head coaching. While most call Rovira by his nickname Dani, the Rhode Island FC head coach always welcomes Rovira by his actual first name.
“I love to hear my full name, I don't hear it often, and details like that, it feels like home,” the Colombian said. “He's somebody that's very honest. He played a lot of the game as well so it's something that when I first came here, I remember watching highlights and things to learn from him as well. That relationship is amazing. Even with Spratty as well, where he was also with the Academy, and he’s seen me grow and to get to just chat with them and they say, ‘Hey, you didn't wear those boots 10 years ago’ and details like that I think, make you feel comfortable and make you want to fight with them and for them on the field.”
Rovira joins a back line that is in an interesting spot. The unit isn’t as solid as it once was after the departure of Stephen Turnbull. It at least appears that the 28-year-old is in line for a heavy dose of minutes and could play a significant role for Rhode Island.
After RIFC made it all the way to the USL Championship Final, expectations will be high in 2025. While nearly lifting the championship trophy is a great achievement, Rovira believes there is more for Rhode Island to achieve.
“As we know, they [Rhode Island] had a great year last year, but there's still a lot more to accomplish,” he said. “There's a new cup this year that we get the chance to compete for and we want it all. I think once you have the mentality that you can get as much as you want, you work hard and just start receiving what you deserve.”