Carlos Bocanegra

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Carlos Bocanegra
Carlos-Bocanegra.jpg
Personal information
Full name Carlos Manuel Bocanegra
Date of birth (1979-05-25) May 25, 1979 (age 34)
Place of birth Alta Loma, California, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position Center Back
Club information
Current club Racing Santander
(On loan from Rangers)
Number 2
Youth career
1997–1999 UCLA Bruins
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2000–2004 Chicago Fire 87 (5)
2000 → MLS Pro 40 (loan) 2 (0)
2004–2008 Fulham 116 (8)
2008–2010 Rennes 64 (2)
2010–2011 Saint-Étienne 35 (2)
2011– Rangers 32 (2)
2012– → Racing Santander (loan) 20 (0)
National team‡
1999 United States U20 4 (0)
1999–2000 United States U23 7 (1)
2001– United States 110 (15)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 February 2013.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 9 February 2013

Carlos Manuel Bocanegra (born May 25, 1979) is an American professional soccer player who plays for Racing de Santander on loan from Rangers. He is also the former captain of the United States men's national soccer team.

Club career

Chicago Fire

After playing college soccer at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Bocanegra signed a Project-40 contract with Major League Soccer and was drafted by the Chicago Fire with the fourth overall pick in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft. He spent most of the year with the Fire, playing two games on loan with Project 40.[1] He proceeded to win the MLS Rookie of the Year Award for a team that made it to the MLS Championship match and won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. He became one of the top defenders in MLS, becoming the first player to win the MLS Defender of the Year Award twice, in 2002 and 2003. Bocanegra scored five goals and had eight assists in his four years in MLS.

Fulham

Bocanegra playing with Fulham

Bocanegra was signed by Fulham in January 2004, quickly becoming a fan favorite, garnering the nickname the Jackal.[2] With Fulham, Bocanegra played primarily as a center back, but also as a left back and briefly as a holding midfielder.[3] During the 2006–07 Premier League season, he was Fulham's second leading scorer with five goals, behind fellow American Brian McBride.[4] On September 1, 2007, Bocanegra captained Fulham for the first time in a Premier League match, a come from behind 3–3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.[5] On September 15, 2007, he made his 100th appearance in the Premier League, all for Fulham, against Wigan Athletic.[6] He was released by Fulham on May 23, 2008.[7]

Rennes

Bocanegra was signed by Rennes in June 2008.[8] He received the number 3 shirt, which is his number for the United States. Bocanegra performed well in his first season in France, appearing in all 38 league matches. He scored his first league goal on March 8, 2009, in Stade Rennais's 2–0 victory over Auxerre.[9] He also scored a goal in a UEFA Cup match and started all the club's Coupe de France matches. These included the 2009 Coupe de France Final at the Stade de France on May 9, 2009, where he scored Stade Rennais' first goal against Guingamp, in the 69th minute.

Saint-Étienne

On July 16, 2010, Bocanegra was purchased by fellow Ligue 1 club Saint-Étienne for a reported fee of £400,000.[10] He wore the number three shirt, as he did captaining the USA during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[11]

Rangers

On 17 August 2011, he joined Scottish Premier League side Rangers, signing a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[12] Bocanegra made his debut for Rangers against NK Maribor on 18 August 2011 in an UEFA Europa League qualifier. His involvement in this match later caused controversy when Maribor filed a complaint to UEFA regarding the eligibility of Bocanegra's appearance, questioning whether he had the required clearance and paperwork. However, the protest was rejected by UEFA on 24 August as Maribor did not submit it within twenty-four hours of the match.[13] He scored his first goal for Rangers in the second leg of the Maribor tie, as Rangers crashed out 3–2 on aggregate.[14] Bocanegra scored his first league goal for the club on Saturday the 24th of September against Dunfermline Athletic in a 4–0 win. Bocanegra quickly became a fans favourite after a series of solid and impressive performances alongside his center back partner, Dorin Goian. He has been nicknamed Captain America by the Rangers fans. He captained Rangers for the first time on 8 January 2012, in a 4–0 win over Arbroath F.C. in the Scottish Cup.

Racing Santander

On 31 August 2012, Bocanegra joined Spanish Segunda División side Racing Santander on a season-long loan. Bocanegra has expressed a desire to return to Rangers once his loan deal has expired.[15] On the 9 April 2013 Carlos announced on his Twitter page that he would return to Rangers for the 2013–14 season. [16]

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International career

Carlos Bocanegra with the USA in 2010

Bocanegra played for the United States at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and earned his first senior cap for the U.S. on December 9, 2001, against South Korea. He became a stalwart for the team in 2003, solidifying his position during the 2003 Gold Cup and leading all defenders with thirteen appearances during that year. During World Cup qualification in 2005, his role with the national team became less clear, as he bounced between roles at center back and left back. On May 2, 2006, Bocanegra was named to the United States World Cup roster for the tournament in Germany. He started two of three games at left back during the 2006 World Cup.

Bocanegra was first-choice captain of the U.S. squad under manager Bob Bradley. Bocanegra captained the national team for the first time in a 4–1 U.S. victory in a June 2, 2007, friendly against China.[17] Bocanegra captained the United States national team that defeated No. 1 ranked Spain to win one of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final games on June 24, 2009.[18] He then continued his leadership duties throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup, starting at left back against England and Slovenia and then as the left-center back against Algeria and Ghana.

On November 15, 2011, Bocanegra joined the 100 cap club achieving his 100th international cap in a friendly against Slovenia.

International goals

Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. January 18, 2003 Lockhart Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale, United States  Canada
1 – 0
4 – 0
Friendly
2. February 13, 2003 National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica  Jamaica
1 – 0
2 – 1
Friendly
3. July 23, 2003 Orange Bowl, Miami, United States  Brazil
1 – 0
1 – 2
2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup
4. July 26, 2003 Orange Bowl, Miami, United States  Costa Rica
1 – 1
3 – 2
2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup
5. July 11, 2004 Soldier Field, Chicago, United States  Poland
1 – 1
1 – 1
Friendly
6. June 8, 2005 Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama  Panama
1 – 0
3 – 0
Q 2006 World Cup
7. June 16, 2007 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, United States  Panama
2 – 0
2 – 1
2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
8. September 9, 2007 Soldier Field, Chicago, United States  Brazil
1 – 0
2 – 4
Friendly
9. March 26, 2008 Wisla Stadium, Kraków, Poland  Poland
1 – 0
3 – 0
Friendly
10. August 20, 2008 Estadio Mateo Flores, Guatemala City, Guatemala  Guatemala
1 – 0
1 – 0
Q 2010 World Cup
11. June 6, 2009 Soldier Field, Chicago, United States  Honduras
2 – 1
2 – 1
Q 2010 World Cup
12. March 3, 2010 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Netherlands
1 – 2
1 – 2
Friendly
13. June 8, 2012 Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, United States  Antigua and Barbuda
1 – 0
3 – 1
Q 2014 World Cup
14. October 16, 2012 Livestrong Sporting Park, Kansas City, United States  Guatemala
1 – 1
3 – 1
Q 2014 World Cup
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Personal life

He was born in Upland, California, to Manuel and Kelly Bocanegra and raised in Alta Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, California, where he attended Alta Loma High School. He has one brother, Diego who played soccer at Grand Canyon College and attended UCLA in 1995–96. His father is of Mexican descent.[19]

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Career statistics

As of 10 February 2013
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
USA League Open Cup League Cup North America Total
2000 Chicago Fire Major League Soccer 27 1 4 0 6 0 0 0 37 1
2001 15 1 2 0 6 1 0 0 23 2
2002 26 2 1 0 3 0 3 1 33 3
2003 19 1 4 0 4 0 0 0 27 1
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
2003–04 Fulham Premier League 15 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 19 0
2004–05 28 1 4 0 3 0 0 0 35 1
2005–06 20 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 21 1
2006–07 30 5 3 0 1 0 0 0 34 5
2007–08 22 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 24 1
France League Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Europe Total
2008–09 Rennes Ligue 1 38 1 5 1 0 0 2 1 45 3
2009–10 26 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 29 1
2010–11 Saint-Étienne 34 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 36 2
2011–12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Scotland League Scottish Cup League Cup Europe Total
2011–12 Rangers Scottish Premier League 29 2 2 0 1 0 2 1 34 3
2012–13 Scottish Third Division 3 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 7 0
Spain League Copa del Rey Supercopa de España Europe Total
2012–13 Racing de Santander Segunda División 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Total USA 87 5 11 0 19 1 3 1 120 7
England 115 8 13 0 5 0 0 0 133 8
France 99 4 8 1 2 0 2 1 111 6
Scotland 32 2 2 0 3 0 4 1 41 3
Spain 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Career total 344 19 34 1 29 1 10 3 417 24
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Honors

United States

Chicago Fire

Personal awards

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References

  1. ^ 2000 MLS Project 40
  2. ^ Bocanegra Joins Fulham (Accessed 20 September 2007)
  3. ^ Football-Lineups.com (Accessed 20 September 2007)
  4. ^ Bocanegra talks Fulham, Gold Cup, and more (Accessed 20 September 2007)
  5. ^ Bocanegra proud to lead (Accessed 20 September 2007)
  6. ^ Americans in England: Deuce on the loose (Accessed 20 September 2007)
  7. ^ "Bocanegra heads Fulham clear-out". BBC Sport. May 23, 2008. 
  8. ^ Rennais.html&TEAMHD=soccer Bocanegra Joins Stade Rennais (Assessed 20 June 2008)
  9. ^ Rennes v. Auxerre Match Report
  10. ^ Carlos Bocanegra has been to sold Saint-Etienne
  11. ^ http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1679/us-national-team/2010/07/16/2028769/official-usa-defender-carlos-bocanegra-joins-saint-etienne
  12. ^ "Exclusive! Bocanegra Signs". Rangers F.C. 17 August 2011. 
  13. ^ "Maribor's Carlos Bocanegra protest thrown out by Uefa". BBC Sport. 24 August 2011. 
  14. ^ "Rangers 1–1 NK Maribor (agg 2–3)". BBC Sport. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011. 
  15. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19446772
  16. ^ https://twitter.com/BocaBoca3/status/321624489907597312
  17. ^ "World Cup 2010 – Carlos Bocanegra". BBC Sport. Retrieved September 5, 2011. 
  18. ^ U.S. National Team Upsets Top-Ranked Spain, 2–0, June 24, 2009
  19. ^ Bleacher Report: Carlos Bocanegra: Happy Cinco De Mayo, Gringos!
  20. ^ "Captain Carlos: Bocanegra Reflects on his Captaincy, Memorable Moments and What it All Means to Him". U.S. Soccer. May 31, 2011. 
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External links

Racing de Santander – current squad
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Last modified on 20 May 2013, at 14:49