Walter Varela Bio
Walter Elias Furtado Varela, also known as Wá, is a Cape Verdean professional footballer born on March 20, 1997, in Praia, Cape Verde. He plays as a winger, and currently represents Portland Hearts of Pine in the USL League One. Recognized for his goal-scoring instincts and creative play on the wing, Varela has built his career through the American soccer pyramid, progressing from the college ranks to the professional ranks.
After a strong college career at Bunker Hill Community College, where he earned All-American honors, Varela turned professional and has since featured for Brockton FC, Albion San Diego, Chattanooga Red Wolves, and Portland Hearts of Pine. He is also known for scoring the first goal in Portland Hearts of Pine history during the U.S. Open Cup, cementing his place in the club’s early record books.
Early Life and Background
Walter Elias Furtado Varela was born on March 20, 1997, in Praia, the capital city of Cape Verde, an island nation off the west coast of Africa. Growing up in a country with a deep love for football, he was introduced to the sport at a young age, and the game’s culture shaped his early development as a player.
At the age of 20, Varela immigrated to the United States, settling in the Boston, Massachusetts area. The move opened the door to higher-level competitive opportunities and allowed him to pursue a college education while continuing to develop as a footballer. His Cape Verdean roots remain a central part of his identity, and he represents his country of birth in his professional profile.
Path to Soccer
After moving to the United States, Varela enrolled at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Massachusetts, joining the Bulldogs soccer program. The college environment provided him with a structured setting to refine his skills, and he quickly made an impact on the pitch, scoring 22 goals in 21 appearances across two seasons while also contributing four assists.
In 2018, his standout college form was recognized nationally when he was named to the collegiate Division III All-American Team. The honor marked a significant milestone and signaled his readiness for the next step. Following his time at Bunker Hill, Varela transitioned into the American lower-division professional and semi-professional soccer landscape, sharpening his game in preparation for a full professional career.
Walter Varela Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Varela’s competitive senior career began in 2021, when he had stints with Valeo FC in the National Premier Soccer League and Brockton FC in the United Premier Soccer League. These early appearances in adult leagues allowed him to gain valuable experience outside of the college environment and adapt to the physical and tactical demands of senior-level soccer.
During this developmental phase, Varela’s performances drew the attention of higher-level clubs. His goal-scoring ability, work rate, and comfort on the wing made him an attractive prospect for teams in the U.S. lower divisions, setting the stage for his move into fully professional soccer.
Albion San Diego Breakthrough (2022)
In 2022, Varela took a major step forward by joining Albion San Diego of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). The move to a fully professional league represented his true entry into the professional ranks, and he rose to the challenge with consistent performances on the wing.
Across the 2022 season, Varela scored three goals in 19 appearances in all competitions, establishing himself as a reliable attacking contributor. His strong play was recognized league-wide when he was named to the 2022 NISA Best XI Second Team, a notable individual honor that highlighted his impact during the campaign.
Chattanooga Red Wolves Era (2023)
On January 25, 2023, Varela signed with USL League One club Chattanooga Red Wolves ahead of their 2023 season. The move elevated him to a higher-profile league and provided a platform to test himself against stronger competition on a weekly basis.
At Chattanooga, Varela continued to develop as a winger, contributing his speed, technical ability, and tactical awareness to the team’s attacking unit. His time with the Red Wolves helped him grow as a professional, and it laid the foundation for his next career move.
Portland Hearts of Pine Era (2025–Present)
On February 8, 2025, Varela joined Portland Hearts of Pine, a USL League One expansion club preparing for its inaugural season. Wearing the number 7 shirt, he was a part of the new team’s foundation, helping to establish a competitive squad from the very beginning.
Varela made his debut for Hearts of Pine on his birthday, March 20, 2025, in the club’s first-ever match, a U.S. Open Cup fixture against CD Faialense of the Bay State Soccer League. He marked the occasion by scoring the first goal in Hearts of Pine history, contributing to a 4–0 victory. He returned to the club for their second season, though he missed the beginning of the campaign due to hernia surgery, an injury that also kept him out of the final six regular-season matches of 2025 and both playoff matches.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Varela’s career came on March 20, 2025, when he scored the first goal in Portland Hearts of Pine history during a U.S. Open Cup match on his birthday. The goal secured his place in the club’s early record books. Earlier in his career, he was named to the 2022 NISA Best XI Second Team following a productive season with Albion San Diego, and he earned a place on the collegiate Division III All-American Team in 2018 during his time at Bunker Hill Community College.
Walter Varela Career Wins
Walter Varela’s career to date has been shaped by steady progression through the American soccer system, with notable achievements at the collegiate, semi-professional, and professional levels. His consistent goal-scoring contributions at each stage have underscored his effectiveness as a winger and his ability to perform in new environments.
College and Lower-Division Highlights
At Bunker Hill Community College, Varela scored 22 goals in 21 appearances over two seasons, a remarkable scoring rate that led to his 2018 Division III All-American selection. He later added three goals in 19 appearances across all competitions during his 2022 season with Albion San Diego, performances that helped him earn NISA Best XI Second Team honors.
Professional Milestones
In 2023, Varela joined USL League One side Chattanooga Red Wolves, and in 2025, he signed with expansion club Portland Hearts of Pine, where he scored the club’s first-ever goal in the U.S. Open Cup. He currently wears the number 7 shirt for Hearts of Pine, who compete in the USL League One.
Walter Varela Family
Personal Life
Walter Elias Furtado Varela was born and raised in Praia, Cape Verde, before relocating to the United States at the age of 20. His journey from the Cape Verdean capital to the American soccer scene reflects his commitment to pursuing his football career at the highest level available to him. He is also known by the nickname Wá.
2025 Season Performance
Walter Varela’s 2025 season was historic, as he joined Portland Hearts of Pine ahead of the club’s inaugural USL League One campaign. On March 20, 2025, his birthday, he scored the first goal in club history during a U.S. Open Cup match against CD Faialense, helping Hearts of Pine to a 4–0 win and immediately establishing himself as a fan favorite.
Unfortunately, the season was disrupted by a hernia injury that required surgery. The injury caused Varela to miss the beginning of the club’s second season, and it also sidelined him for the final six regular-season matches of 2025, as well as both playoff matches. Despite the setback, his early contributions to the expansion club’s foundation year left a lasting mark on the team.
Looking ahead, Varela remains under contract with Portland Hearts of Pine, and his recovery from surgery will be closely watched by the club and its supporters. Once fully fit, he is expected to resume his role as a key attacking piece for Hearts of Pine as the club continues to grow in USL League One.