Cristian Tudor
A former MLS defender who transitioned seamlessly into coaching, now shaping the next generation of players at the collegiate level in Colorado.
1982–2012 (age 30)·Romanian footballer·Birthday: August 23·Millennials
Biography
Scott Palguta built a solid, if understated, career through grit and defensive intelligence. After a standout college career at the University of Richmond, he entered the professional ranks, spending the bulk of his MLS years with the Colorado Rapids. Palguta was the kind of player managers valued for his consistency and tactical understanding rather than flashy highlights, contributing to a Rapids squad that consistently competed in the playoffs. His leadership and knowledge of the game made a move into coaching inevitable. In 2015, he returned to the state where he played his professional football, taking the helm of the men's soccer program at Colorado College. There, he has focused on developing student-athletes, applying the lessons learned from a decade in professional soccer to a collegiate setting.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Cristian was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cristian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Cristian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
Key Achievements
- Appointed head men's soccer coach at Colorado College in February 2015.
- Won the MLS Cup with the Colorado Rapids in 2010, appearing in 22 games that season.
- Played over 100 regular-season games in Major League Soccer across his career.
Did You Know?
He was drafted in the third round (34th overall) of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew.
Palguta earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Richmond.
He made his MLS debut on April 7, 2007, for the Colorado Rapids against D.C. United.
“I gave everything on the pitch for the shirt I was wearing.”
