1. Robert Douglas Friend was born on 23 January 1981 and is a Canadian former professional soccer player, the president and co-founder of Vancouver FC, the ceo and co-founder of Pacific FC, the founder of Toca Football Canada, the co-founder of Canadian Premier League, the managing partner of SixFive Sport Fund DRG Investment Group, and currently appointed as chief executive officer for Malaysia national team.
Rob Friend 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.
Rob 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.
Rob Friend played college soccer for the Western Michigan Broncos from 1999 to 2000, appearing in 40 games and scoring 9 goals.
Rob Friend transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara and finished his collegiate career with the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team.
Rob Friend appeared in 40 games for the Gauchos, scoring 31 goals and assisting on 9 more.
Rob Friend was named as a 2002 All-American, becoming the first Gaucho in 32 years to receive the honor.
Rob 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.
Rob Friend remained with the Molde FK until 2006, making 40 league appearances and scoring 14 league goals for the club.
Early 2006 saw interest in Rob Friend rise with Crystal Palace FC and Valerenga Fotball among teams looking to purchase him.
Rob Friend's team finished first and was promoted to the Bundesliga.
On 17 August 2008, Rob Friend scored in his first game in the Bundesliga, against VfB Stuttgart.
Rob Friend finished his first season with Hertha having scored 6 goals in 27 appearances in the 2.
Rob Friend was close to re-joining Major League Soccer in the United States in January 2013, but despite interest from Vancouver Whitecaps FC Friend saw his contract to completion in Germany.
On 13 January 2014, Rob Friend made the move to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy.
Rob Friend has represented Canada at the U-20, U-23, and senior levels.
Rob Friend saw action in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, as well as the 2004 CONCACAF Men Pre-Olympic Tournament.
Rob Friend debuted with the senior international team on 18 January 2003 in a friendly with the United States.
Rob Friend has represented Canada in five FIFA World Cup qualification matches.
Rob Friend was inducted into the UCSB Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.
Rob Friend is married to Marisa Lauren "Mari" Bell, a former UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball player.