Joao Plata
Encyclopedia
Joao Jimmy Plata Cotera (born March 1, 1992 in Guayaquil
) is an Ecuador
ian footballer who plays for Toronto FC
in Major League Soccer
on loan from LDU Quito.
before joining the Alfaro Moreno Academia in Guayaquil in 2009. After impressing at Alfaro Moreno he joined the youth ranks of LDU Quito.
Plata impressed Liga coach Edgardo Bauza
and was called up to the senior side during the Second Stage of the 2010 Serie A
season. On August 22, 2010 Plata made his professional debut for LDU Quito at Estadio Casa Blanca
in a 1–0 victory over Olmedo
. His debut was considered very promising and Plata became a fixture for the rest of the season.
On September 18, 2010 Plata scored his first professional goal in a 1–0 victory over ESPOLI
. This important goal helped Liga consolidate their position at the top of the table. Plata ended the season appearing in 7 league matches (starting 5) and scoring one goal as Liga captured the Second Stage of the 2010 Serie A
and then defeated Emelec
to be declared national champion for the 10th time in the club's history.
and was selected by Toronto FC
with the #49 pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft
. Toronto FC signed Plata on March 24, 2011. On April 2 Plata made his debut for Toronto as a second half sub for Alen Stevanović
, in a 1-1 home draw against Chivas USA
. On April 27 Plata made his first start for Toronto and provided two assists in a 3-0 away win against FC Edmonton
in the first leg of the Canadian Championship
. For the second leg on May 4, Plata again made the starting line-up and provided an assist as well as receiving Man of the Match honours in a 1-0 home win, giving Toronto a 4-0 aggregate victory over FC Edmonton
to advance to the Canadian Championship
final. Plata got his first MLS goal in a 2-1 victory over Houston Dynamo
the goal was a well taken penalty and he later went on to set up the second for Maicon Santos, his performance earned him MLS player of the week. On July 2 Plata scored a crucial goal against Vancouver Whitecaps FC helping seal Toronto's third consecutive Canadian Championship, earning the team a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League
. Plata was awarded the George Gross Memorial Trophy
as the tournament's best player. On July 27 Plata made his Champions League debut against Real Esteli F.C. coming on for Gianluca Zavarise
in the 49th minute, Plata led his team to a 2-1 home victory scoring both goals. Plata's success continued in the champions league scoring two goals in a crucial match-up against FC Dallas
on October 18 in the final group stage game, with a 3-0 away victory it advanced Toronto to it's first ever quarter final appearance.
national team. On May 20, 2011 Plata was given his first senior call-up to the national team that will play in three friendlies between May 28-June 7 that will help determine La Tricolor's final roster for this summer’s Copa América. Plata made his debut for the senior team against Canada
, on June 1, 2011, as a second half sub in a 2–2 away draw, at his club team, Toronto FC
's home field BMO Field
.
Last updated on October 22, 2011
Toronto FC
Guayaquil
Guayaquil , officially Santiago de Guayaquil , is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador,with about 2.3 million inhabitants in the city and nearly 3.1 million in the metropolitan area, as well as that nation's main port...
) is an 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...
ian footballer who plays for Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
on loan from LDU Quito.
LDU Quito
Plata began his career in the youth ranks of hometown club BarcelonaBarcelona Sporting Club
Barcelona Sporting Club is an Ecuadorian sports club based in Guayaquil, known best for its professional football team. They currently play in the Ecuadorian Serie A, the highest level of football in the country, and hold the distinction of being the only team to have never been relegated.With...
before joining the Alfaro Moreno Academia in Guayaquil in 2009. After impressing at Alfaro Moreno he joined the youth ranks of LDU Quito.
Plata impressed Liga coach Edgardo Bauza
Edgardo Bauza
Edgardo Bauza is an Argentine former footballer and current manager of Ecuadorian club LDU Quito. Before taking up management, he played over 300 games for Rosario Central, a club he went on to manage. He also played for Independiente in Argentina, Atlético Junior in Colombia and Veracruz in Mexico...
and was called up to the senior side during the Second Stage of the 2010 Serie A
2010 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol Serie A
The 2010 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol de la Serie A was the 52nd season of the Serie A, Ecuador's premier football league. It ran from February 7 to December 12....
season. On August 22, 2010 Plata made his professional debut for LDU Quito at Estadio Casa Blanca
Estadio de Liga Deportiva Universitaria
Estadio de Liga Deportiva Universitaria, commonly called La Casa Blanca , is a football stadium in Quito, Ecuador that is the home ground of LDU Quito. Built between 1995 and 1997, the stadium hosted its first match on March 6, 1997 in a game between LDU Quito and Atlético Mineiro of Belo Horizonte...
in a 1–0 victory over Olmedo
Centro Deportivo Olmedo
Centro Deportivo Olmedo is a professional football club based in Riobamba, Ecuador. They currently play in the Serie A, Ecuador's top level of professional football....
. His debut was considered very promising and Plata became a fixture for the rest of the season.
On September 18, 2010 Plata scored his first professional goal in a 1–0 victory over ESPOLI
Club Deportivo ESPOLI
Club Deportivo ESPOLI is a professional football team from Quito, Ecuador that plays in the Serie A, the top level of professional football in country. The team belong to the Escuela Superior de Policía , a police academy in Quito....
. This important goal helped Liga consolidate their position at the top of the table. Plata ended the season appearing in 7 league matches (starting 5) and scoring one goal as Liga captured the Second Stage of the 2010 Serie A
2010 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol Serie A
The 2010 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol de la Serie A was the 52nd season of the Serie A, Ecuador's premier football league. It ran from February 7 to December 12....
and then defeated Emelec
Club Sport Emelec
Club Sport Emelec is a Ecuadorian sports club based in Guayaquil that is best known for their professional football team. The football team plays in the Ecuadorian Serie A, the highest level of professional football in the country....
to be declared national champion for the 10th time in the club's history.
Toronto FC
At the conclusion of the 2010 season, in order to continue his development, Plata was loaned to Major League SoccerMajor League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
and was selected by Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
with the #49 pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft
2011 MLS SuperDraft
The 2011 MLS SuperDraft was the twelfth annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 13, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland, during the 2011 NSCAA Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center. The 2011 SuperDraft consisted of three rounds with eighteen selections each, for...
. Toronto FC signed Plata on March 24, 2011. On April 2 Plata made his debut for Toronto as a second half sub for Alen Stevanović
Alen Stevanović
Alen Stevanović is a Swiss-born Serbian footballer who plays for Torino .-Early life:...
, in a 1-1 home draw against Chivas USA
C.D. Chivas USA
Club Deportivo Chivas USA is an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada....
. On April 27 Plata made his first start for Toronto and provided two assists in a 3-0 away win against FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in the first leg of the Canadian Championship
Canadian Championship
The Canadian Championship—known as the Nutrilite Canadian Championship for sponsorship reasons—is an annual soccer tournament contested by premier Canadian professional teams...
. For the second leg on May 4, Plata again made the starting line-up and provided an assist as well as receiving Man of the Match honours in a 1-0 home win, giving Toronto a 4-0 aggregate victory over FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
to advance to the Canadian Championship
Canadian Championship
The Canadian Championship—known as the Nutrilite Canadian Championship for sponsorship reasons—is an annual soccer tournament contested by premier Canadian professional teams...
final. Plata got his first MLS goal in a 2-1 victory over Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
the goal was a well taken penalty and he later went on to set up the second for Maicon Santos, his performance earned him MLS player of the week. On July 2 Plata scored a crucial goal against Vancouver Whitecaps FC helping seal Toronto's third consecutive Canadian Championship, earning the team a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League
CONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
. Plata was awarded the George Gross Memorial Trophy
George Gross Memorial Trophy
The George Gross Memorial Trophy is awarded to the most valuable player of the Canadian Soccer Championship. It is named after the late George Gross, a highly-respected sports journalist who covered soccer for the Toronto Telegram and Toronto Sun....
as the tournament's best player. On July 27 Plata made his Champions League debut against Real Esteli F.C. coming on for Gianluca Zavarise
Gianluca Zavarise
Gianluca Zavarise is a Canadian soccer player who last played for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Club career:...
in the 49th minute, Plata led his team to a 2-1 home victory scoring both goals. Plata's success continued in the champions league scoring two goals in a crucial match-up against FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
on October 18 in the final group stage game, with a 3-0 away victory it advanced Toronto to it's first ever quarter final appearance.
International career
Plata is a member of the Ecuador Under-20Ecuador national under-20 football team
The Ecuadorian national under-20 football team represents Ecuador in international under-20 football competitions and is controlled by the Ecuadorian Football Federation.-History:...
national team. On May 20, 2011 Plata was given his first senior call-up to the national team that will play in three friendlies between May 28-June 7 that will help determine La Tricolor's final roster for this summer’s Copa América. Plata made his debut for the senior team against Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
, on June 1, 2011, as a second half sub in a 2–2 away draw, at his club team, Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
's home field BMO Field
BMO Field
BMO Field is a Canadian soccer stadium located in Exhibition Place in the city of Toronto. The open-air structure can seat up to 21,800 spectators, depending on seating configurations. It is owned by the City of Toronto, and managed by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd...
.
Career stats
| 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... |
League | Playoffs | Domestic Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | League | Season | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| LDU Quito | Serie A | 2010 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | — | —|!!7!!1!!0 | |||||||||||
| 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... |
League | Playoffs | Canadian Championship Canadian Championship The Canadian Championship—known as the Nutrilite Canadian Championship for sponsorship reasons—is an annual soccer tournament contested by premier Canadian professional teams... |
CONCACAF Champions League CONCACAF Champions League The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region .... |
Total | ||||||||||||
| Toronto FC Toronto FC Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.... |
MLS Major League Soccer Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada... |
2011 2011 Major League Soccer season The 2011 Major League Soccer season was the 99th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 33rd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 16th season of Major League Soccer. The season marked the arrival of two new league clubs, Portland Timbers and Vancouver... |
21 | 3 | 5 | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 30 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Total | 21 | 3 | 5 | — | 4!!1!!3!!5!!4!!1!!30!!8!!9 | ||||||||||||
| Career total | 28 | 4 | 5 | — | 4!!1!!3!!5!!4!!1!!37!!9!!9 | ||||||||||||
Last updated on October 22, 2011
Club
LDU Quito- Serie A: 20102010 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol Serie AThe 2010 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol de la Serie A was the 52nd season of the Serie A, Ecuador's premier football league. It ran from February 7 to December 12....
Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
- Canadian ChampionshipCanadian ChampionshipThe Canadian Championship—known as the Nutrilite Canadian Championship for sponsorship reasons—is an annual soccer tournament contested by premier Canadian professional teams...
: 20112011 Canadian ChampionshipThe 2011 Canadian Championship was a soccer tournament hosted and organized by the Canadian Soccer Association that took place in the cities of Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in 2011. As in previous tournaments, participating teams included the Montreal Impact, Toronto FC and Vancouver...
Individual
- George Gross Memorial TrophyGeorge Gross Memorial TrophyThe George Gross Memorial Trophy is awarded to the most valuable player of the Canadian Soccer Championship. It is named after the late George Gross, a highly-respected sports journalist who covered soccer for the Toronto Telegram and Toronto Sun....
: 2011 - Toronto FC Player of the Year: 2011