Career

Edgardo Rito is a Venezuelan soccer player who plays right-back and right-midfielder for USL Team Hartford Athletic. He was born on February 17, 1996, in El Vigía, a small town in Venezuela. His passion for football took over his life when he was seven. During elementary school, he would play hooky to sneak into one of the few available soccer fields or tell his mom that he was finishing some schoolwork to stay out late, kicking the ball until his feet bled. He would join the grown-ups' "caimaneras" -pick-up games- with players twice his age and still score the winning goal.

In 2013 at the age of 17, Rito began his professional career with Atlético El Vigía, making 26 appearances in the 2013–14 season. He also played for other top-tier Venezuelan teams, such as Yaracuyanos FC and Mineros de Guayana.

The following season, he had a brief stint with ACD Lara. After that, he was recruited by Estudiantes de Caracas Sports Club, a Venezuelan top-tier professional club, where he competed for the Copa Venezuela and finished in second place.

In 2016, Rito signed with the Second Division Team Yaracuyanos F.C, and only a year later, the club was promoted to First Division.

Rito has also had appearances for the Venezuela national team at the youth level. He was part of the Venezuelan U-17 and U-16 squad,  representing his country in international competitions.

In 2017, Edgardo launched his international career when he moved to the United States to join New York Red Bulls II, where he played for two seasons, made 42 appearances, and scored three goals. In 2022, Rito started playing with the Oakland Roots, where he made 33 appearances and scored five goals. His contract with the Roots was renewed for the 2023 season, and he made 11 appearances and scored two goals until he was transferred to Hartford Athletic mid-season. Rito is a versatile player whose speed and ability to play in several positions make him an asset for any team.