Bruno Rendón

Bruno Manuel Rendón Cardoso (born 7 May 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for USL Championship club Indy Eleven.

Born in Matanzas, Cuba, Rendón featured for the Cuban under-17 and under-20 national teams before moving to the United States. He won the 2024 USL League One Defender of the Year award with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC.

Early life Rendón was born in Matanzas, Cuba, where he lived with his mother and grandmother.

Club career Rendón began his career in 2022 with National Independent Soccer Association club Syracuse Pulse scoring three goals in 15 total matches.

USL League One club Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC signed Rendón ahead of the 2023 season, where he scored 5 goals in 30 league matches. He was named to the 2023 USL League One All-League Second Team. In the 2024 season, Rendón scored 6 goals in 23 league appearances. He also scored a competition-record 9 additional goals in the 2024 USL Cup, including the Northern Colorado's only goal in the final, which they went on to win on penalties against Forward Madison FC. Rendón was voted 2024 USL League One Defender of the Year and named to the 2024 All-League First Team.

On 5 December 2024, USL Championship club Indy Eleven announced they had signed Rendón ahead of the 2025 season. He made his debut for the club on 15 March 2025 in a 3–1 away league win over Miami FC. Rendón scored his first goal for the club on 22 March, in a 1–1 away draw against Lexington SC.

International career When living in Cuba, Rendón featured for the Cuba youth national teams. He first played for the Under-17 national team, scoring a goal in his debut in a 1–1 draw with Suriname in the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship on 22 April 2017.

In 2018. Rendón was called up again to represent Cuba at the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Rendón featured in 4 separate matches as Cuba failed to qualify for the knockout stage despite only one loss against Honduras.

Defection Following Cuba's exit from the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship tournament, Rendón and 11 other Cuban players defected and chose to remain in the United States.

Personal life Following his defection from Cuba and residency in the United States, Rendón has stated his intent to receive U.S. citizenship.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Individual USL League One Defender of the Year: 2024 USL League One All-League First Team: 2024 USL Cup Top Goalscorer: 2024