Davide Chiumiento

PROFILE:
A skillful playmaker, who can play on either flank or as an attacking midfielder, Davide Chiumiento joined Whitecaps FC's Major League Soccer roster on Mar. 8, 2011, after spending three seasons in his native Switzerland with FC Luzern. Known for his skill, and playmaking abilities, Chiumiento has also played in the top-flight leagues of Italy and France.

MLS EXPERIENCE:

• 2011: Playing the first half as a right-sided midfielder for Whitecaps FC, Chiumiento made a sensational MLS debut in Vancouver's 4-2 home win over Canadian rivals Toronto FC on Mar. 19. The playmaker assisted on the club's first-ever MLS goal by Eric Hassli and Terry Dunfield's first goal in the league at Empire Field. As a substitute, the Swiss international assisted on Camilo's first goal in MLS during a dramatic 3-3 home draw with Sporting Kansas City on Apr. 2. Chiumiento then set up Camilo's goal in a 3-1 defeat at Houston Dynamo on Apr. 10 before assisting on Alain Rochat's first-ever goal for the 'Caps during a 2-1 home defeat to FC Dallas on Apr. 23. He then scored his first goal for Whitecaps FC during a 1-1 home draw with San Jose Earthquakes on May 11. Chiumiento then assisted on Eric Hassli's goal during a 1-1 home draw with Toronto FC in the first leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship final on May 18. He also assisted on Rochat's second goal of the season, as Whitecaps FC ended a 14-match winless streak with a 1-0 victory at home to Philadelphia Union on June 18. The following weekend, Chiumiento's cleverly-taken free kick set up Camilo's goal in a 2-1 defeat at Sporting Kansas City on June 25. He then assisted on Eric Hassli's second goal during a 2-2 away draw with San Jose Earthquakes on July 20. Chiumiento's second goal of the season during a 1-1 draw at New York Red Bulls on Sept. 10 earned him the MLS Goal of the Week award for Week 26. He then assisted on Camilo's goal during the 3-1 home defeat to Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle Sounders FC on Sept. 24.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RESERVE LEAGUE

• 2011: Chiumiento recorded an assist on his MLS Reserve League debut, as Whitecaps FC reserves claimed a 2-1 home win over Seattle Sounders FC reserves on Aug. 9. The result at Swangard Stadium was Vancouver's first-ever win in the MLS Reserve League.

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION DIVISION-2 PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE

• 2010: After initially joining Whitecaps FC on Aug. 17, Chiumiento made his club debut as a second-half substitute, as he replaced Philippe Davies on the right-hand side of midfield during the 1-0 home defeat to Canadian arch-rivals Montreal Impact on Sept. 24. The playmaker then made his first Whitecaps FC start in the club's regular season finale, as they drew 2-2 at home to Portland Timbers on Oct. 2.

SWISS SUPER LEAGUE

• 2009-10: The midfielder had his best season as a professional after scoring 11 goals in 24 appearances, as he helped FC Luzern to a fourth-place finish in the Swiss Super League standings and qualification for the 2010-11 UEFA Europa League. This included three two-goal performances versus FC Aarau (Dec. 6, 2009 & May 2, 2010) and AC Bellinzona (Feb. 21, 2010). He also made three appearances during the club's run to the quarterfinals of the Schweizer Cup that season.
• 2008-09: The midfielder scored four goals in 30 league appearances during his second season with FC Luzern, while he also made two appearances during the club's run to the semifinals of the Schweizer Cup (Swiss Cup). However, the Lucerne club's ninth-place finish meant they had to face runners-up FC Lugano from Switzerland's second-tier Challenge League in a two-leg promotion/relegation playoff. On June 13, 2009, the playmaker scored a penalty in a 5-0 second-leg win at home, as FC Luzern retained their Swiss Super League status following a 5-1 aggregate result.
• 2007-08: After impressing in the Swiss Super League with BSC Young Boys, Chiumiento joined FC Luzern from Juventus, with the playmaker signing a three-year contract. He appeared in all but one of the Lucerne-based club's league matches that season, with his debut coming in a 1-1 home draw versus Neuchâtel Xamax on July 21, 2007. He then scored FC Luzern's second goal in a 2-2 home draw versus former club BSC Young Boys on July 29, 2007, before striking from the penalty spot in a 1-1 home draw versus FC Sion on Mar. 8, 2008.
• 2006-07: Chiumiento spent a third season on loan from Juventus, as he returned to his native Switzerland to join Berner Sport Club (BSC) Young Boys. The midfielder's debut came in a 2-1 defeat at former club FC St. Gallen on Sept. 24, 2006. Chiumiento’s lone goal for BSC Young Boys came in the reverse league match versus FC St. Gallen, as he scored the match winner in a 3-0 home win on Dec. 9, 2006.

FRENCH LIGUE 1

• 2005-06: After a season on loan with AC Siena, Chiumiento went out on another season-long loan from parent club Juventus, as he joined Le Mans Football Club in France's top-flight Ligue 1. The playmaker made his debut as a second-half substitute during a 3-0 away defeat to AS Saint-Étienne on Oct. 1, 2005. He started half of his 18 appearances for the club from northwest France, with the midfielder scoring the first goal in Le Mans' 3-0 home win over Olympique de Marseille on Nov. 5, 2005.

ITALIAN SERIE A

• 2004-05: In a bid to get more Serie A experience, Chiumiento joined AC Siena on a season-long loan, with the midfielder making his debut as a second-half substitute during a 1-0 away defeat to US Palermo on Sept. 12, 2004. He started six of his 14 appearances for the Tuscan-based club, with his only goal coming on Feb. 13, 2005, when he struck a late equalizer in a 2-2 home draw with ACR Messina. 2003-04: After spending three years in the youth set-up of Italian giants Juventus, a 19-year-old Chiumiento made his Serie A debut for the Turin-based club as when he came on as a second-half substitute for childhood hero Alessandro Del Piero during a 3-0 home win over AC Ancona on Feb. 29, 2004. The playmaker also appeared as a second-half substitute for Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on Mar. 9, 2004. He replaced Italian international Mauro Camoranesi during a 1-0 second-leg defeat at home to Deportivo La Coruna, with the Spanish club reaching the quarterfinals after a 2-0 aggregate win.

INTERNATIONAL

• Senior: Chiumiento made his senior debut for Switzerland in a 3-1 home defeat to Uruguay on Mar. 3, 2010. The midfielder was a second-half substitute during the friendly match in St. Gallen.
• U-21: Chiumiento scored two goals in 13 appearances with Switzerland's U-21 squad. Along with Whitecaps FC teammate Alain Rochat, the playmaker appeared for his country at the 2004 UEFA European U-21 Championship in Germany. Switzerland finished bottom of Group B behind Sweden, Portugal, and hosts Germany.

YOUTH/AMATEUR
Chiumiento started his playing career with hometown club FC Heiden in Switzerland before moving to FC St. Gallen in 1995, where he eventually played for the club's U-18 side. In 2000, the playmaker joined the youth set-up at Italian giants Juventus, with Chiumiento appearing in the Turin club's 'Primavera' squad with other young Juventus prospects.

PERSONAL
Born and raised in the northeastern Swiss town of Heiden, Chiumiento is a dual citizen of both Italy and Switzerland through parentage. His parents are Manuela and Gerardo Chiumiento, while he has an older brother named Claudio. As a student, the playmaker attended Heiden primary school in his hometown before attending Scuola privata Athenaeum in Turin, Italy.

INTERESTING FACTS
The playmaker has been a long-time admirer of Juventus legend and former Italian international striker Alessandro Del Piero, and Argentine great Diego Maradona. He enjoyed watching Napoli when Maradona was a player at the Italian Serie A club in the 1980's, while he currently enjoys watching Spanish and European giants Barcelona and the Spanish national team. When not concentrating on his soccer career, Chiumiento enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to Brazilian and Latin music, and surfing the Internet.