Born in the small town of Rosetown, Canada, Friend, moved to the United States and attended Western Michigan University, eventually transferring to the University of California, Santa Barbara. As a UCSB senior, Friend scored in 12 consecutive matches, ranking fourth overall in NCAA history. Ironically, he also met his wife, Marisa, a native of Southern California, while attending UCSB.
As a senior, Friend was drafted in 2003 to the MLS (Major League Soccer) league by the Chicago Fire. Instead of playing for the Fire, he was signed by Norway’s Moss F.K., and in 2004 he contracted with Molde F.K., also in Norway. During his tenure with Molde F.K., Friend helped the team capture the Norwegian Football Cup. Before his contract expired with Molde F.K., Friend was bought by SC Heerenveen, a team in the top Netherlands league. And after making 19 appearances with Heerenveen and scoring five goals, he was loaned to Heracles Almelo to conclude the 2006-2007 season.
After only one year in the top Dutch division, Friend was sold to Borussia Monchengladbach. Borussia was the top of the Second Division in Germany. During the 2007-2008 season, he scored an astonishing 18 goals in 33 matches, making him Borussia Monchengladbach's top scorer and the second top scorer in Bundesliga 2. His team finished first that season. During Friend’s second season in Germany he was plagued with an Achilles injury and underwent three surgeries in a four-month span. After much dedication and rehabilitation, Friend is currently in his third season with Borussia Monchengladbach.
"Coming back from a potential career-ending Achilles injury has changed my outlook on the future in such a positive way," Friend told StrengthUSA.com. "In my long journey with rehab, and facing the possibility of not being able to play the sport I love, I found a deeper drive and motivation to come back better and stronger. I have always been a hard worker, but since the injury I am even more determined to become physically and mentally stronger. -- I am achieving this, and I’m a better all-around athlete than I was before the injury."
As a teenager, Friend, now 29, attempted many sports at the high school level, including volleyball, tennis, hockey and rugby. At 17, he decided soccer was his niche. Friend also has an extensive international career with the Canadian National Team, beginning with the Under 20 Team and currently with the Senior National Team. Additionally, he competed in the World Youth Championship in 2001, followed by the CONCACAF Olympic Tournament in 2004. To date, Rob currently has been capped 24 times by his native country, scoring twice, and representing Canada in 5 FIFA World Cup Championship Qualification matches.
