Gonzalo Segares González (born October 13, 1982) is a Costa Rican former professional footballer who spent most of his career with Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire. He currently serves as head coach for the United States U17 national team.
 Segares with Chicago Fire in 2012 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gonzalo Segares González | ||
| Date of birth | October 13, 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | San José, Costa Rica | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | United States U17 (head coach) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2000–2001 | Saprissa | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001–2004 | VCU Rams | 84 | (16) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003 | Williamsburg Legacy | 5 | (0) |
| 2005–2009 | Chicago Fire | 108 | (8) |
| 2010 | Apollon Limassol | 12 | (0) |
| 2010–2014 | Chicago Fire | 123 | (3) |
| Total | 248 | (11) | |
| International career | |||
| 2007–2011 | Costa Rica | 19 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2015–2016 | Chicago Fire (academy) | ||
| 2016–2019 | Chicago FC United (academy) | ||
| 2020–2021 | United States U15 | ||
| 2021– | United States U17 | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career edit
Youth and college edit
Segares started his career playing in Saprissa's minor league system, before being awarded with a scholarship to play college soccer at Virginia Commonwealth University from 2001 to 2004. Segares was a strong player from his debut, starting all 83 games he played in his four seasons. He registered 16 goals and 10 assists from the back in his four years with the team, was a first-team All-CAA selection his final three years, and was a first team All-American and Hermann Trophy finalist as a senior. During this time he also played with the Williamsburg Legacy in the USL Premier Development League.
Professional edit
Segares began his professional career with the Chicago Fire as a 2005 SuperDraft third round selection, and quickly proved himself during his rookie campaign. Segares was in the Fire's starting eleven for the first three games of the 2006 campaign until an ankle injury sidelined the young defender for a month of action. Upon his return, Segares came back with a vengeance, starting 19 of Chicago's last 24 games. Segares also helped the "Men in Red" earn an MLS club-record fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title in 2006, playing every minute in the tournament's Final. He held down the left side of defense in Chicago's starting XI in 2008 and 2009, while balancing his burgeoning duties for both club and country.[1]
After the 2009 season, Segares left the Fire for Greek Cypriot club Apollon Limassol on a free transfer.[2] In August 2010 Segares returned to the Fire.[3] On December 6, 2012 Chicago Fire re-signed Segares to a multi-year deal.[4] At the end of the 2014 season, the club declined his contract option.[5]
On February 4, 2015, Segares announced his retirement.[6]
International edit
Earning his first call up in 2007, Segares participated in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying and the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where Costa Rica made it to the semifinals.[7]
Coaching career edit
After his retirement, Segares remained on staff with Chicago Fire as an academy coach and a club ambassador.[6] In January 2020, he joined the United States Soccer Federation becoming United States U15 head coach. On October 18, 2021, Segares was announced as the United States U17 new head coach.[8]
Personal edit
Segares holds a U.S. green card which qualified him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[9]
Honours edit
Chicago Fire edit
- Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
- Winners (1): 2006
Individual edit
- Chicago Fire Defender of the Year:
- Winner: (1): 2007
References edit
- ^ "Chicago Fire: Roster: Player Bio". Archived from the original on 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ^ Segares jugará en Chipre - Nación (in Spanish)
- ^ "Welcome back Gonzalo". chicago-fire.com. August 6, 2010.
- ^ "Chicago Fire Re-sign Defender Gonzalo Segares". chicago-fire.com. December 6, 2012.
- ^ "Chicago Fire re-sign Patrick Nyarko and announce option decisions for 17 other players". mlssoccer.com. November 18, 2014.
- ^ a b "Longtime Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares retires, joins club's academy staff". mlssoccer.com. February 4, 2015.
- ^ "Concacaf | Teams | Team Profiles | Team Related Link". Archived from the original on 2009-09-01. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ^ "Tracey Kevins Named Head Coach of U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team; Gonzalo Segares Named Head Coach of U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team". USSoccer.com. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Chicago Fire Re-sign Defender Gonzalo Segares | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc.
External links edit
- Gonzalo Segares at Major League Soccer
- Gonzalo Segares at National-Football-Teams.com