 Bocanegra in 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Carlos Manuel Bocanegra[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1979-05-25)May 25, 1979 (age 46)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Alta Loma, California, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Defender | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1999 | UCLA Bruins | 43 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2003 | 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2013 | Rangers | 32 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2013 | →Racing Santander (loan) | 23 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2014 | Chivas USA | 30 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 389 | (19) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | United States U20 | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | United States U23 | 7 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2012 | United States | 110 | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carlos Manuel Bocanegra (born May 25, 1979) is an American sports executive and former professionalsoccer player. A two-timeMLS Defender of the Year, Bocanegra also played professionally in England, Scotland, France, and Spain. He earned over 100 caps with theUnited States, serving as captain for six years. He most recently served as technical director and vice president forAtlanta United.
Bocanegra was born in Upland, CA on May 25, 1979, to Manuel and Kelly Bocanegra. He was raised inAlta Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, California, where he attendedAlta Loma High School. He has one brother, Diego, who played soccer atGrand Canyon University,UCLA and Fresno State. Diego is currently the head coach of the University of Houston women's soccer team.[2] His father is ofMexican descent.[3] While attending UCLA, Bocanegra studied history and geography. Prior to attending UCLA, Bocanegra was offered scholarships for American football but opted for soccer, which he thought of choosing as his career.[4] He was inducted into theUCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.
After playingcollege soccer atUCLA, Bocanegra signed aProject-40 contract withMajor League Soccer and was drafted by theChicago Fire with the fourth overall pick in the2000 MLS SuperDraft. He spent most of the year with the Fire, playing two games on loan with Project 40.[5] He won theMLS Rookie of the Year Award for a team that made it to the MLS Championship match and won theLamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. He became one of the top defenders in MLS, becoming the first player to win theMLS Defender of the Year Award twice, in 2002 and 2003. Bocanegra scored five goals and had eight assists in his four years in MLS.
Bocanegra was signed byFulham in January 2004, quickly becoming a fan favorite, garnering the nicknamesthe Jackal andthe Black Snake.[6][7] With Fulham, Bocanegra played primarily as a center back, but also as a left back and briefly as aholding midfielder.[8] During the2006–07 Premier League season, he was Fulham's second leading scorer with five goals, behind fellow AmericanBrian McBride.[9] On September 1, 2007, Bocanegracaptained Fulham for the first time in a Premier League match, a come from behind 3–3 draw withTottenham Hotspur.[10][11] On September 15, 2007, he made his 100th appearance in the Premier League, all for Fulham, againstWigan Athletic.[12] He was released by Fulham on May 23, 2008.[13]
Bocanegra was signed byRennes in June 2008.[14] 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 overAuxerre.[15] He also scored a goal in aUEFA Cup match and started all the club'sCoupe de France matches. These included the2009 Coupe de France Final at theStade de France on May 9, 2009, where he scored Stade Rennais' first goal against Guingamp, in the 70th -1 minute.
On July 16, 2010, Bocanegra was purchased by fellow Ligue 1 clubSaint-Étienne for a reported fee of £400,000.[16] He wore the number three shirt, as he did captaining theU.S. during the2010 FIFA World Cup.[17] Bocanegra made his debut for the club, on the opening game of the season, in a 3–1 loss againstPSG.[18] On December 5, 2010, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–2 draw againstBordeaux; followed up his second goal in theDerby du Rhône, but couldn't help Saint-Étienne win, as they lost 4–1. Bocanegra would be often used in first-team ins and outs in his first season. In a match againstNice, on October 17, 2010, Bocanegra suffered whiplash injury, that kept him out for three weeks.[19]
In the 2011–12 season, Bocanegra took the captaincy temporarily followingLoïc Perrin's absence, on the opening game of the season, as Saint-Étienne win 2–1 against Bordeaux.[20] This turned out to be his only appearance. He was linked with a move to Rangers, but was warned by Saint-Étienne that they would not sell him.[21]
On August 17, 2011, Bocanegra joinedScottish Premier League sideRangers, signing a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[22][23]Bocanegra made his debut for Rangers againstNK Maribor on August 18, 2011, in aUEFA 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. The protest was rejected by UEFA on August 24 as Maribor did not submit it within twenty-four hours of the match.[24] The club's chief later described the complaint by Maribor regarding Bocanegra's eligibility as 'pathetic mischief making'.[25] He scored his first goal for Rangers in the second leg of the Maribor tie as Rangers crashed out 3–2 on aggregate.[26]
Bocanegra scored his first league goal for the club on September 24 againstDunfermline Athletic in a 4–0 win.[27] His second goal came three months later, on December 17, 2011, during a 2–1 win overInverness Caledonian Thistle.[28] Bocanegra quickly became a fan favorite after a series of solid and impressive performances alongside his center-back partner,Dorin Goian.[29] He was nicknamedCaptain America by the Rangers fans and captainedRangers for the first time on January 8, 2012, during a 4–0 win overArbroath in theScottish Cup.
During the season, Rangers went into administration over financial problems and a dispute with HMRC, leading to a 10-point deduction. Bocanegra spoke about the event, describing it as a "horrible experience"[30] and encouraging players to light up the dejected fans.[31] He also stated his desire to stay at the club, insisting he was happy there.[32] During an Old Firm 3–2 victory, on March 25, 2012, Bocanegra received a straight red card after foulingGeorgios Samaras, conceding a penalty.[33]
After Rangers FC went into administration, in June 2012 the company's assets, including the players' contracts, were purchased byCharles Green's consortium. Although many players departed because of this, Bocanegra's future was uncertain after not attending training,[34] as he wanted to leave in order to play at a higher level.[35] A few weeks later, on July 29, 2012, McCoist appointed Bocanegra captain for the first round of the Challenge Cup- a 2–1 win overBrechin City.[36] After the game Bocanegra announced his intention to stay, vowing not to walk away from the club.[37] He then made six appearances at the start of the season. After being dropped by the national team,[38] Bocanegra joinedRacing de Santander on a season-long loan in an attempt to keep his international career alive.[39]
On August 31, 2012, Bocanegra joined SpanishSegunda División sideRacing Santander on a season-long loan. Bocanegra expressed a desire to return to Rangers once his loan deal has expired.[39][40]He made his debut for the club, on September 22, 2012, in a 1–0 win overCD Mirandés.[41] However, his time at Santander was considered "disastrous",[citation needed] as he failed to start the remainder of the matches, though still played regularly, coming on as a substitute. The club was relegated to next division.
On April 9, 2013, Carlos announced on hisTwitter page that he would return toRangers for the2013–14 season.[42] Though announcing his return, U.S. National Team CoachJürgen Klinsmann warned Carlos not to play for Rangers next season.[43]
In the summer of 2013, Bocanegra left Rangers[44] and signed withChivas USA. Chivas USA traded up the allocation order withToronto FC to land his signature, sending a first-round2015 MLS SuperDraft pick and an international slot to the Canadian club.[45]
Bocanegra retired at the end of the 2014 MLS season.[46][47]
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Bocanegra played for the United States at the1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and earned his first senior cap for the U.S. on December 9, 2001, againstSouth Korea. He became a stalwart for the team in 2003, solidifying his position during the2003 Gold Cup and leading all defenders with thirteen appearances during that year. DuringWorld 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 the2006 World Cup.
Bocanegra was first-choice captain of the U.S. squad under managerBob Bradley. Bocanegra captained the national team for the first time in a 4–1 U.S. victory in a June 2, 2007,friendly againstChina.[48] Bocanegra captained theUnited States national team that defeated No. 1 rankedSpain to win one of the2009 FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final games on June 24, 2009.[49] He then continued his leadership duties throughout the2010 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 the100 cap club achieving his 100th international cap in afriendly againstSlovenia. In March 2013, Bocanegra was initially included on the preliminary team for the start of the final stage of World Cup qualification; however, he did not make the final team. Bocanegra's further exclusion from qualification, in part due to his unstable club situation, led to the appointment ofClint Dempsey as captain of the USMNT. Bocanegra was subsequently not a part of the team at the2013 Gold Cup or the2014 World Cup.
Bocanegra was appointed technical director ofAtlanta United in March 2015.[50] In October 2017, he signed a new four-year contract with the club, which also added the title of vice president to his role.[51] The club announced he was leaving on September 4, 2024.[52]
He was appointed to co-chair the Technical Development Committee atU.S. Soccer in April 2018.[53]
In September 2020, Bocanegra was elected to theNational Soccer Hall of Fame.[54]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Chicago Fire | 2000 | Major League Soccer | 27 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | – | 37 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | – | 23 | 2 | |||
| 2002 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3[c] | 1 | 33 | 3 | ||
| 2003 | 19 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – | 27 | 1 | |||
| Total | 87 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 120 | 7 | ||
| Fulham | 2003–04 | Premier League | 15 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 19 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 | 28 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | 35 | 1 | |||
| 2005–06 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 21 | 1 | |||
| 2006–07 | 30 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 34 | 5 | |||
| 2007–08 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 24 | 1 | |||
| Total | 115 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 0 | – | 133 | 8 | |||
| Rennes | 2008–09 | Ligue 1 | 38 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2[d] | 1 | 45 | 3 |
| 2009–10 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 29 | 1 | |||
| Total | 64 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 74 | 4 | ||
| Saint-Étienne | 2010–11 | Ligue 1 | 34 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 36 | 2 | |
| 2011–12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | |||
| Total | 35 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | ||
| Rangers | 2011–12 | Scottish Premier League | 29 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[e] | 1 | 34 | 3 |
| 2012–13 | Scottish Third Division | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| Total | 32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 41 | 3 | ||
| Racing de Santander | 2012–13 | Segunda División | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 21 | 0 | ||
| Chivas USA | 2013 | Major League Soccer | 12 | 0 | – | – | – | 12 | 0 | |||
| 2014 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 18 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 30 | 0 | ||||
| Career total | 383 | 19 | 34 | 1 | 29 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 446 | 24 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2001 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 13 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 11 | 2 | |
| 2008 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 14 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 15 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 10 | 2 | |
| Total | 110 | 14 | |
| No. | 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 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 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 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 11 | June 6, 2009 | Soldier Field,Chicago, United States |  Honduras | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 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 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 14 | October 16, 2012 | Livestrong Sporting Park,Kansas City, United States | Guatemala | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Chicago Fire
United States
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