Cristian Benítez
Encyclopedia
Christian Rogelio Benítez Betancourt (born May 1, 1986), also known as Chucho, is an Ecuador
ian footballer who plays as a forward for Club América
of the Primera División de México
. He began his career with El Nacional
in Ecuador and then joined Santos Laguna
, with whom he won the award for Best Player of the Clausura 2008
. He spent the 2009–10 season on loan to Premier League club Birmingham City
. He has been a member of the Ecuador national football team
since 2006.
, the son of former Ecuador international footballer Ermen Benítez
. In 2007 he married Liseth, daughter of fellow international player Cléber Chalá; she gave birth to twins in August 2009.
of Spain
due to his outstanding performances for El Nacional
, though the club denied any knowledge of Villarreal's interest. He was also linked with a move to Red Star Belgrade
of the Serbian Superliga
.
of the Primera División de México
. With his arrival and that of Vicente Matías Vuoso
, Santos had an impressive season with wins over several top Mexican clubs. He was considered one of the best foreign strikers in the Mexican league alongside Giancarlo Maldonado
, Humberto Suazo
, Salvador Cabañas
, and Hector Mancilla
. In 2007, Benítez received an award as the best Ecuadorian footballer playing outside Ecuador, succeeding PSV Eindhoven's Édison Méndez
.
Despite interest from Portuguese club Benfica, Benítez decided to remain in Mexico. His 10 goals made a major contribution to Santos winning the Clausura 2008
title, and his personal reward was selection as best player of the season. Benítez is the fourth Ecuadorian to win a Mexican championship, after Ítalo Estupiñán
, Álex Aguinaga
, and Agustín Delgado
.
announced the signing of Benítez on a three-year contract for an undisclosed club record transfer fee, which press reports speculated to be in the region of £6 million rising to £9m. The move was subject to the striker receiving a work permit and passing a medical. The medical revealed unforeseen knee problems, which prompted the deal to be renegotiated on a "protected purchase" basis. The club would pay an initial $2m (£1.2m) with an option to abort the deal on medical grounds after the first year; thereafter the fee could potentially rise, depending on appearances and success, to a club record $12.5m (£7.7m). The player eventually signed on July 7. The club later clarified that he was in fact on loan. While recovering from shoulder surgery and awaiting his visa, Benítez played in an all-star match in Ecuador without asking the club's permission.
He made his Birmingham debut as a second-half substitute in Birmingham's opening match of the season, a 1–0 defeat at Manchester United
, and came close to equalising, drawing a "wonderful one-handed diving save" from Ben Foster
. His first Premier League start came against Hull City
on September 19; he played a key role in a 1–0 win and "could have had a hat-trick but for the supreme goalkeeping of Boaz Myhill
". Benítez scored his first goal for the Blues on November 9 away to Liverpool
, with a close-range header after Scott Dann
had nodded the ball on, in a game which finished 2–2. He scored the first of what manager Alex McLeish
described as "two classy goals" as Birmingham knocked Everton
out of the FA Cup
at Goodison Park
. However, after his season produced only four goals and Birmingham's attempt to renegotiate the agreed transfer fee was unsuccessful, the club chose not to take up their option to purchase, and the player returned to Santos Laguna.
on May 22, 2011. The transfer fee was reported to be of $10 million, which established a record for a club in México. He scored a goal in his debut on July 24, in the 2-1 win against Querétaro. On August 21, 2011 Benítez made his first hat trick with América against Club Atlas in a 5-2 win.
at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
in Germany.
Although considered by many as a surprise selection by Ecuador's Colombia
n-born coach Luis Fernando Suarez
, he had impressed with his speed, elusiveness and skill in pre-World Cup showings against Netherlands
, Japan
and the Copa Libertadores 2006
experience. He was a candidate for the Gillette Best Young Player Award, a new award made at the end of the FIFA World Cup
to the best young player born on or after January 1, 1985. His only appearance was in the 3–0 loss to Germany
, replacing Felix Borja
midway through the match.
His first international goal came in September 2006 against Peru
. Then in April 2007, he scored another goal against Peru in Ecuador's 2–0 win in a friendly held in the Mini Estadi in Barcelona, Spain. He also scored in a 1–1 draw with the Republic of Ireland
in a friendly match played in New Jersey
on May 23, 2006. This added to the belief that he could excel in Europe.
Benítez started all three games during the Copa America 2007
, scoring against Chile
. Despite his attacking flair, Ecuador were eliminated in the first stage, losing all three matches. In an international friendly against El Salvador
on September 8, 2007, Benítez scored twice in an emphatic 5–1 home win in Quito.
In a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier
against Bolivia
, he scored a wonderful solo effort. Two months later, he showed his ability in the air as well when he scored the only goal of the match with a header against Chile
.
|2004||rowspan="4"|El Nacional
||rowspan="4"|Serie A||1||0||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||1||0
|-
|2005||30||6||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||30||6
|-
|2006||38||16||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||38||16
|-
|2007||15||7||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||15||7
|-
|2007-08||rowspan="2"|Santos Laguna||rowspan="2"|Primera División||40||17||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||40||17
|-
|2008-09||20||14||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||8||4||28||18
|-
|2009–10||Birmingham City
||Premier League||30||3||5||1||1||0||0||0||36||4
|-
|2010-11||rowspan="1"|Santos Laguna||rowspan="1"|Primera División||35||20||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||4||1||39||21
|-
|2011-12||rowspan="1"|America
||rowspan="1"|Primera División||8||5||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||8||5
|-
84||29||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||84||29
90||51||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||115||61
30||3||5||1||1||0||0||0||36||4
212||88||5||1||1||0||12||5||230||94
El Nacional
Santos Laguna
El Nacional
Santos Laguna
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
ian footballer who plays as a forward for Club América
Club América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
of the Primera División de México
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
. He began his career with El Nacional
Club Deportivo El Nacional
Club Deportivo "El Nacional" is a Ecuadorian sports club from Quito, known best for their professional football team. The team currently plays in the Serie A, the top-flight football league in the country....
in Ecuador and then joined Santos Laguna
Santos Laguna
Club Santos Laguna is a Mexican football club. They represent the urban area of Comarca Lagunera, which is made up of Torreón, Gomez Palacio, and Lerdo. Santos Laguna currently plays in the Primera División. The club was founded in 1982, and reached Mexico's top division after buying the franchise...
, with whom he won the award for Best Player of the Clausura 2008
Primera División de México Clausura 2008
Primera División de México Clausura 2008 was a Mexican football tournament - the second of two tournaments held in the 2007/2008 season. It began January 18, 2008 and ran until June 1, 2008. Veracruz and Morelia inaugurated the season, with Morelia winning 1-0...
. He spent the 2009–10 season on loan to Premier League club Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
. He has been a member of the Ecuador national football team
Ecuador national football team
The Ecuadorian national football team represents Ecuador in international football competitions and is controlled by the Ecuadorian Football Federation. They generally play official home matches at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, but often play friendlies in other stadiums around the country...
since 2006.
Personal life
Benitez was born in QuitoQuito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
, the son of former Ecuador international footballer Ermen Benítez
Ermen Benítez
Ermen de Jesús Benítez is an Ecuadorian former international footballer who played professionally as a striker. He is the Serie A all-time topscorer, having scored 191 goals for five clubs in 16 years as a professional....
. In 2007 he married Liseth, daughter of fellow international player Cléber Chalá; she gave birth to twins in August 2009.
El Nacional
Regarded as one of the best players ever to compete in the Ecuadorian top flight, Benítez was scouted by top clubs such as Villarreal CFVillarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
due to his outstanding performances for El Nacional
Club Deportivo El Nacional
Club Deportivo "El Nacional" is a Ecuadorian sports club from Quito, known best for their professional football team. The team currently plays in the Serie A, the top-flight football league in the country....
, though the club denied any knowledge of Villarreal's interest. He was also linked with a move to Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
of the Serbian Superliga
Serbian Superliga
Serbian SuperLiga is a Serbian professional league for football clubs. At the top of the Serbian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 16 clubs, operating a system of promotion and relegation with the Serbian First League...
.
Santos Laguna
In July 2007, he made an unexpected move to Santos LagunaSantos Laguna
Club Santos Laguna is a Mexican football club. They represent the urban area of Comarca Lagunera, which is made up of Torreón, Gomez Palacio, and Lerdo. Santos Laguna currently plays in the Primera División. The club was founded in 1982, and reached Mexico's top division after buying the franchise...
of the Primera División de México
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
. With his arrival and that of Vicente Matías Vuoso
Vicente Matías Vuoso
Vicente José Matías Vuoso is a Mexican footballer who currently plays as a striker for América.-Early Career:Matías Vuoso began his career in Argentina with Independiente. Playing alongside Diego Forlán, Vicente scored seven goals in 29 games for Independiente in 2000-01 and another seven in 35...
, Santos had an impressive season with wins over several top Mexican clubs. He was considered one of the best foreign strikers in the Mexican league alongside Giancarlo Maldonado
Giancarlo Maldonado
Giancarlo Gregorio Maldonado Marrero is a Venezuelan footballer who currently plays for Atlante. The striker, who was born in Caracas, is the all-time leading Venezuelan goalscorer, where he has the nickname Maldogol.-River Plate:...
, Humberto Suazo
Humberto Suazo
Humberto Andrés Suazo Pontivo , nicknamed Chupete, is a Chilean football player, who currently plays as a striker in Monterrey. In 2006 he was awarded by IFFHS as the world's top goal scorer of the year....
, Salvador Cabañas
Salvador Cabañas
Salvador Cabañas Ortega is a Paraguayan football striker who plays for the Paraguayan national team. A prolific and natural goalscorer, he is known for his array of skills on the field such as excellent heading, accurate shooting with either foot, receptions in tight spaces, and a combination of...
, and Hector Mancilla
Héctor Mancilla
Héctor Raúl Mancilla Garcés is a Chilean Striker, who currently plays for the Mexican club Tigres....
. In 2007, Benítez received an award as the best Ecuadorian footballer playing outside Ecuador, succeeding PSV Eindhoven's Édison Méndez
Edison Méndez
Édison Vicente Méndez Méndez is an Ecuadorian football midfielder who plays for Emelec and the Ecuadorian national team.-Playing style:...
.
Despite interest from Portuguese club Benfica, Benítez decided to remain in Mexico. His 10 goals made a major contribution to Santos winning the Clausura 2008
Primera División de México Clausura 2008
Primera División de México Clausura 2008 was a Mexican football tournament - the second of two tournaments held in the 2007/2008 season. It began January 18, 2008 and ran until June 1, 2008. Veracruz and Morelia inaugurated the season, with Morelia winning 1-0...
title, and his personal reward was selection as best player of the season. Benítez is the fourth Ecuadorian to win a Mexican championship, after Ítalo Estupiñán
Ítalo Estupiñán
Italo Estupiñán is a retired footballer from Ecuador, who played as a forward during his career. He obtained 14 caps for the Ecuador national football team during the 1980s, scoring 2 goals.-Clubs:...
, Álex Aguinaga
Álex Aguinaga
Álex Dario Aguinaga Garzón is a Ecuadorian retired footballer midfielder and former mananger. As a player, he is one of the all-time cap leaders for Ecuador with 109 matches, scoring 23 goals. Aguinaga is known as one of the best Ecuadorian footballers of all time...
, and Agustín Delgado
Agustín Delgado
Agustín Javier Delgado Chalá is a retired Ecuadorian footballer. Nicknamed Tín, Delgado is the all-time top scorer for the Ecuadorian national team with 31 goals in 71 games. He played professional club football in Ecuador, Mexico and England.-Southampton:Delgado moved to Southampton in 2001...
.
Birmingham City
On June 3, 2009, Birmingham CityBirmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
announced the signing of Benítez on a three-year contract for an undisclosed club record transfer fee, which press reports speculated to be in the region of £6 million rising to £9m. The move was subject to the striker receiving a work permit and passing a medical. The medical revealed unforeseen knee problems, which prompted the deal to be renegotiated on a "protected purchase" basis. The club would pay an initial $2m (£1.2m) with an option to abort the deal on medical grounds after the first year; thereafter the fee could potentially rise, depending on appearances and success, to a club record $12.5m (£7.7m). The player eventually signed on July 7. The club later clarified that he was in fact on loan. While recovering from shoulder surgery and awaiting his visa, Benítez played in an all-star match in Ecuador without asking the club's permission.
He made his Birmingham debut as a second-half substitute in Birmingham's opening match of the season, a 1–0 defeat at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, and came close to equalising, drawing a "wonderful one-handed diving save" from Ben Foster
Ben Foster (footballer)
Benjamin Anthony "Ben" Foster is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Birmingham City, and internationally for the England national team.-Stoke City:...
. His first Premier League start came against Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
on September 19; he played a key role in a 1–0 win and "could have had a hat-trick but for the supreme goalkeeping of Boaz Myhill
Boaz Myhill
Glyn Oliver Myhill , more commonly known as Boaz Myhill , is a footballer who plays for Birmingham City, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, and the Wales national team as a goalkeeper.-Early life:...
". Benítez scored his first goal for the Blues on November 9 away to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, with a close-range header after Scott Dann
Scott Dann
Scott Dann is an English footballer who plays for Premier League club Blackburn Rovers as a centre back. He began his Football League career with Walsall, before moving on to Coventry City and then to Birmingham City in 2009...
had nodded the ball on, in a game which finished 2–2. He scored the first of what manager Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish
Alexander "Alex" McLeish , is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, who is currently managing English Premier League club Aston Villa...
described as "two classy goals" as Birmingham knocked Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
out of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
at Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
. However, after his season produced only four goals and Birmingham's attempt to renegotiate the agreed transfer fee was unsuccessful, the club chose not to take up their option to purchase, and the player returned to Santos Laguna.
Return to Santos Laguna
On July 21, 2010, Benítez signed a new three-year deal with Santos Laguna, in the first tournament after his return he was the top goalscorer with 15 goals.América
Benitez signed to play for AméricaClub América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
on May 22, 2011. The transfer fee was reported to be of $10 million, which established a record for a club in México. He scored a goal in his debut on July 24, in the 2-1 win against Querétaro. On August 21, 2011 Benítez made his first hat trick with América against Club Atlas in a 5-2 win.
International career
Benítez was a member of the Ecuador national teamEcuador national football team
The Ecuadorian national football team represents Ecuador in international football competitions and is controlled by the Ecuadorian Football Federation. They generally play official home matches at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, but often play friendlies in other stadiums around the country...
at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
in Germany.
Although considered by many as a surprise selection by Ecuador's Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n-born coach Luis Fernando Suarez
Luis Fernando Suárez
Luis Fernando Suárez is a Colombian retired football player and current manager of Honduras.Suárez led the Ecuador national football team to the round of 16 at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and won the 1999 Colombian championship with Atlético Nacional. In 2005, he led Ecuador to their second...
, he had impressed with his speed, elusiveness and skill in pre-World Cup showings against Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
, Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
and the Copa Libertadores 2006
Copa Libertadores 2006
The 2006 Copa Toyota Libertadores was the 47th edition of the Latin American Copa Libertadores football club tournament. 38 teams from 11 football associations have taken part, starting with the first qualifying round played on 24 January 2006...
experience. He was a candidate for the Gillette Best Young Player Award, a new award made at the end of the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
to the best young player born on or after January 1, 1985. His only appearance was in the 3–0 loss to Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
, replacing Felix Borja
Félix Borja
Félix Alexander Borja Valencia is an Ecuadorian footballer, who currently plays for CF Pachuca in the Primera División Mexicana.-Club career:Felix Borja previously played for El Nacional of Ecuador...
midway through the match.
His first international goal came in September 2006 against Peru
Peru national football team
The Peru national football team, known as 'el equipo inca', represents Peru in international football competition and is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation . The team competes against the other nine members of FIFA's CONMEBOL conference, which encompasses the countries of South America...
. Then in April 2007, he scored another goal against Peru in Ecuador's 2–0 win in a friendly held in the Mini Estadi in Barcelona, Spain. He also scored in a 1–1 draw with the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
in a friendly match played in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
on May 23, 2006. This added to the belief that he could excel in Europe.
Benítez started all three games during the Copa America 2007
Copa América 2007
The 2007 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, known simply as the 2007 Copa América or 2007 Copa América Venezuela, was the 42nd edition of the Copa América, the South-American championship for international association football teams...
, scoring against Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
. Despite his attacking flair, Ecuador were eliminated in the first stage, losing all three matches. In an international friendly against El Salvador
El Salvador national football team
El Salvador's national football team represents El Salvador in international football and is sanctioned by the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol . In 1899, Santa Ana and San Salvador met for the first hosted football game in El Salvador...
on September 8, 2007, Benítez scored twice in an emphatic 5–1 home win in Quito.
In a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL...
against Bolivia
Bolivia national football team
The Bolivia national football team is the national team of Bolivia and is controlled by the Federación Boliviana de Fútbol. After playing in the 1930 and 1950 World Cups, they qualified just once—in 1994...
, he scored a wonderful solo effort. Two months later, he showed his ability in the air as well when he scored the only goal of the match with a header against Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Final | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 6, 2006 | East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... , United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
1–0 | 1–1 | International friendly | |
| 2 | May 23, 2007 | East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... , United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
1–0 | 1–1 | International friendly | |
| 3 | June 6, 2007 | Barcelona Barcelona Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of... , Spain Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
1–0 | 2–0 | International friendly | |
| 4 | June 26, 2007 | Puerto Ordaz Puerto Ordaz Puerto Ordaz is a planned city which, together with the older settlement of San Felix, forms Ciudad Guayana in Bolívar State, eastern Venezuela. Puerto Ordaz is located at the confluence of the Caroní and Orinoco Rivers and is the site of the Llovizna Falls. There are bridges across the Caroni and... , Venezuela Venezuela Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south... |
1–2 | 2–3 | 2007 Copa América | |
| 5 | September 8, 2007 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
2–0 | 5–1 | International friendly | |
| 6 | September 8, 2007 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
4–1 | 5–1 | International friendly | |
| 7 | August 20, 2008 | East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... , United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
1–0 | 1–0 | International friendly | |
| 8 | September 6, 2008 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
3–1 | 3–1 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL... |
|
| 9 | October 12, 2008 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
1–0 | 1–0 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL... |
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| 10 | September 9, 2009 | La Paz La Paz Nuestra Señora de La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country after Santa Cruz de la Sierra... , Bolivia Bolivia Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America... |
1–3 | 1–3 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL... |
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| 11 | September 4, 2010 | Zapopan, Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... |
0–1 | 1–2 | International friendly | |
| 12 | October 12, 2010 | Montreal Montreal Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America... , Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
1–0 | 2–2 | International friendly | |
| 13 | October 12, 2010 | Montreal Montreal Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America... , Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
2–2 | 2–2 | International friendly | |
| 14 | November 17, 2010 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
1–0 | 4–1 | International friendly | |
| 15 | November 17, 2010 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
2–0 | 4–1 | International friendly | |
| 16 | June 1, 2011 | Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... , Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
1–1 | 2–2 | International friendly | |
| 17 | September 2, 2011 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
3–0 | 5–2 | International friendly | |
| 18 | September 2, 2011 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
4–0 | 5–2 | International friendly | |
| 19 | September 6, 2011 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
4–0 | 4–0 | International friendly | |
| 20 | October 7, 2011 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American Zone of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees nine teams competing for places in the finals which are to be held in Brazil.-Format:The format for CONMEBOL's 2014 World Cup qualifying tournament is identical to the previous four editions... |
|
| 21 | November 15, 2011 | Quito Quito San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains... , Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border... |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American Zone of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees nine teams competing for places in the finals which are to be held in Brazil.-Format:The format for CONMEBOL's 2014 World Cup qualifying tournament is identical to the previous four editions... |
Statistics
|-|2004||rowspan="4"|El Nacional
Club Deportivo El Nacional
Club Deportivo "El Nacional" is a Ecuadorian sports club from Quito, known best for their professional football team. The team currently plays in the Serie A, the top-flight football league in the country....
||rowspan="4"|Serie A||1||0||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||1||0
|-
|2005||30||6||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||30||6
|-
|2006||38||16||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||38||16
|-
|2007||15||7||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||15||7
|-
|2007-08||rowspan="2"|Santos Laguna||rowspan="2"|Primera División||40||17||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||40||17
|-
|2008-09||20||14||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||8||4||28||18
|-
|2009–10||Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
||Premier League||30||3||5||1||1||0||0||0||36||4
|-
|2010-11||rowspan="1"|Santos Laguna||rowspan="1"|Primera División||35||20||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||4||1||39||21
|-
|2011-12||rowspan="1"|America
Club América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
||rowspan="1"|Primera División||8||5||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||8||5
|-
84||29||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||84||29
90||51||colspan="2"|N/A||colspan="2"|N/A||0||0||115||61
30||3||5||1||1||0||0||0||36||4
212||88||5||1||1||0||12||5||230||94
Club
El NacionalClub Deportivo El Nacional
Club Deportivo "El Nacional" is a Ecuadorian sports club from Quito, known best for their professional football team. The team currently plays in the Serie A, the top-flight football league in the country....
- Serie A: 2005 Clausura, 2006
Santos Laguna
- Primera División de MéxicoPrimera División de MéxicoThe Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
: 2008 ClausuraPrimera División de México Clausura 2008Primera División de México Clausura 2008 was a Mexican football tournament - the second of two tournaments held in the 2007/2008 season. It began January 18, 2008 and ran until June 1, 2008. Veracruz and Morelia inaugurated the season, with Morelia winning 1-0...
Individual
El NacionalClub Deportivo El Nacional
Club Deportivo "El Nacional" is a Ecuadorian sports club from Quito, known best for their professional football team. The team currently plays in the Serie A, the top-flight football league in the country....
- 2006 Serie A MVP
Santos Laguna
- 2008 ClausuraPrimera División de México Clausura 2008Primera División de México Clausura 2008 was a Mexican football tournament - the second of two tournaments held in the 2007/2008 season. It began January 18, 2008 and ran until June 1, 2008. Veracruz and Morelia inaugurated the season, with Morelia winning 1-0...
MVP - 2010 AperturaPrimera División de México Clausura 2008Primera División de México Clausura 2008 was a Mexican football tournament - the second of two tournaments held in the 2007/2008 season. It began January 18, 2008 and ran until June 1, 2008. Veracruz and Morelia inaugurated the season, with Morelia winning 1-0...
Top Goal Scorer (16 League Goals)
External links
- Player details at Ecuadorian Football Federation
- ESPN Profile
- Profile at Birmingham City F.C. website