Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar
Encyclopedia
Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar is a Mexican
footballer who most recently played for the Seattle Sounders
of the USL First Division
.
Alcaraz-Cuellar initially began playing soccer with the San Diego Flash
in 2001. In his rookie season in professional soccer, he began to showcase his talents as an attacking midfielder where he enjoyed a rather successful campaign by tallying in six goals. Unfortunately San Diego would fold the following season, which would result in Alcaraz-Cuellar to sign with the Portland Timber
. It was in Portland where he broaden his position of an attacking midfielder to that of a playmaker
. During his tenure with Portland, he established himself as the Timbers' all-time leader in assists, with 44. Including being ranked second in games played, and as well as third in points for the club. He assisted the club by claiming their first USL First Division
Commissioner's Cup; he was awarded the Assist Leader Statistical award twice in his career, becoming the first player in league history to win the honor twice consecutively.
After failing to negotiate a deal with Portland, Alcaraz-Cuellar subsequently signed a contract with Cascadian
arch-rivals Seattle Sounders
in 2007. In Seattle he managed to contribute with two goals and eight assists, which tied him for second in the league in assists. Another notable achievement in Seattle was winning the double
, in which he claimed his first USL First Division
Championship. On February, 2010 he was ranked 15th in the USL First Division
Top 25 of the Decade, which announced a list of the best and most influential players of the previous decade.
, Alcaraz-Cueller's family moved to Santa Barbara, California
when he was three years old.
of the USL A-League. The team was impressed enough to offer him a contract and he spent the 2001 season in San Diego. In San Diego, Alcaraz-Culler quickly established himself as a starter that provided him with a productive debut season where he recorded six goals and tallied 3 assists. The Flash folded at the end of the season and he moved to the Portland Timbers
in 2002. Under the managemnet of Bobby Howe
, he was deployed as a playmaker
for the Timbers. His first prosperous season came in 2003, where he helped the Timbers record the club’s third straight winning season including an impressive four-game winning streak. He set the single-season record for assists at nine. In the 2004 season, Alcaraz-Cuellar contributed by leading the offense with 10 assists that culminated with the Timbers finishing first in the Western Conference, with a record total of 57 points that claimed the league’s Regular Season Championship. However, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by their long-standing rival, the Seattle Sounders
. Once the season reached to a conclusion, he was awarded the Assist Leader Statistical award and received All-League honors. In 2005, the Timbers continued their winning ways and finished the year with their fifth straight winning season. Alcaraz-Cuellar managed to re-set the club’s record for assists in a single season, recording 12 assists which placed him to first in the league in assists for the second straight season, becoming the first player in league history to win the honor twice.
. He also earned a second All-League selection.
His contract expired in 2007 and when the Timbers did not express an interest in signing him, which resulted in Alcaraz-Cueller to sign a contract with Cascadian
rivals the Seattle Sounders after Adrian Hanauer
, owner of the Sounders, and Brian Schmetzer
, drove to Portland to ask him to sign with Seattle. He selected the number 77 because the number 7 jersey was worn by Leighton O'Brien
. In his debut season with the Sounders, he managed to contribute two goals and eight assists, which tied him for second in the league. Alcaraz-Cuellar helped his team win the double
by claiming the USL First Division
Commissioner's Cup, and his first career USL First Division
Championship. When the USL Sounders were prompted to the Major Soccer League
at the end of the 2008 season, Alcaraz-Cuellar's contract was not renewed by the club; making him a free agent
.
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...
footballer who most recently played for the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
of the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
.
Alcaraz-Cuellar initially began playing soccer with the San Diego Flash
San Diego Flash
San Diego Flash is an American soccer team based in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1998, the team returned to competitive play in 2011 when it made its debut in the Southwest Flight of the West Division of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
in 2001. In his rookie season in professional soccer, he began to showcase his talents as an attacking midfielder where he enjoyed a rather successful campaign by tallying in six goals. Unfortunately San Diego would fold the following season, which would result in Alcaraz-Cuellar to sign with the Portland Timber
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
. It was in Portland where he broaden his position of an attacking midfielder to that of a playmaker
Playmaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....
. During his tenure with Portland, he established himself as the Timbers' all-time leader in assists, with 44. Including being ranked second in games played, and as well as third in points for the club. He assisted the club by claiming their first USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Commissioner's Cup; he was awarded the Assist Leader Statistical award twice in his career, becoming the first player in league history to win the honor twice consecutively.
After failing to negotiate a deal with Portland, Alcaraz-Cuellar subsequently signed a contract with Cascadian
Cascadia Cup
The Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...
arch-rivals Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
in 2007. In Seattle he managed to contribute with two goals and eight assists, which tied him for second in the league in assists. Another notable achievement in Seattle was winning the double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
, in which he claimed his first USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Championship. On February, 2010 he was ranked 15th in the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Top 25 of the Decade, which announced a list of the best and most influential players of the previous decade.
Early life
Born in Guadalajara, JaliscoGuadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality...
, Alcaraz-Cueller's family moved to Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
when he was three years old.
Playing career
In 2001, Alcaraz-Cuellar went to an open tryout with the San Diego FlashSan Diego Flash
San Diego Flash is an American soccer team based in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1998, the team returned to competitive play in 2011 when it made its debut in the Southwest Flight of the West Division of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
of the USL A-League. The team was impressed enough to offer him a contract and he spent the 2001 season in San Diego. In San Diego, Alcaraz-Culler quickly established himself as a starter that provided him with a productive debut season where he recorded six goals and tallied 3 assists. The Flash folded at the end of the season and he moved to the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
in 2002. Under the managemnet of Bobby Howe
Bobby Howe (footballer born 1945)
-Career:Howe originally played for West Ham United F.C. youth system before progressing through their ranks and appearing in the first team at the age of 21 in 1966. He played at Upton Park until 1971 when he switched to A.F.C. Bournemouth. He played there until his retirement from league football...
, he was deployed as a playmaker
Playmaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....
for the Timbers. His first prosperous season came in 2003, where he helped the Timbers record the club’s third straight winning season including an impressive four-game winning streak. He set the single-season record for assists at nine. In the 2004 season, Alcaraz-Cuellar contributed by leading the offense with 10 assists that culminated with the Timbers finishing first in the Western Conference, with a record total of 57 points that claimed the league’s Regular Season Championship. However, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by their long-standing rival, the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
. Once the season reached to a conclusion, he was awarded the Assist Leader Statistical award and received All-League honors. In 2005, the Timbers continued their winning ways and finished the year with their fifth straight winning season. Alcaraz-Cuellar managed to re-set the club’s record for assists in a single season, recording 12 assists which placed him to first in the league in assists for the second straight season, becoming the first player in league history to win the honor twice.
. He also earned a second All-League selection.
His contract expired in 2007 and when the Timbers did not express an interest in signing him, which resulted in Alcaraz-Cueller to sign a contract with Cascadian
Cascadia Cup
The Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...
rivals the Seattle Sounders after Adrian Hanauer
Adrian Hanauer
Adrian Hanauer is an American businessman and minority owner and general manager of the Seattle Sounders FC.- Business history :Hanauer's family owns Pacific Coast Feather Co., a down pillow, feather bed, and high-end bedding products manufacturer that was originally founded in 1884 in Germany, but...
, owner of the Sounders, and Brian Schmetzer
Brian Schmetzer
Brian Schmetzer is a retired U.S. soccer player who played in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and Western Soccer League. He coached the Seattle Sounders in the USL First Division for seven seasons, winning two championships. He was the 2002 USL-1 Coach of the Year...
, drove to Portland to ask him to sign with Seattle. He selected the number 77 because the number 7 jersey was worn by Leighton O'Brien
Leighton O'Brien
Leighton O'Brien is an American soccer player, currently serving as the Director of Coaching for the Renton Football Club for youth since 2006 and the head coach of the Seattle Sounders Women....
. In his debut season with the Sounders, he managed to contribute two goals and eight assists, which tied him for second in the league. Alcaraz-Cuellar helped his team win the double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
by claiming the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Commissioner's Cup, and his first career USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Championship. When the USL Sounders were prompted to the Major Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
at the end of the 2008 season, Alcaraz-Cuellar's contract was not renewed by the club; making him a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
Seattle Sounders
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Championship (1): 2007United Soccer Leagues 2007The 2007 Season is the 21st edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 13 when the 2006 league runners-up Rochester Raging Rhinos traveled to the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders.-General:* Two new teams join the... - USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Commissioner's Cup (1): 2007United Soccer Leagues 2007The 2007 Season is the 21st edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 13 when the 2006 league runners-up Rochester Raging Rhinos traveled to the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders.-General:* Two new teams join the... - Cascadia CupCascadia CupThe Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...
(1): 2007
Individual
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Assist Leader (2): 2004, 2005United Soccer Leagues 2005-General:* A-League renamed USL First Division.* Pro Soccer League renamed USL Second Division.* The newly renamed top two divisions each become single table....