Juan Carlos Toja
Encyclopedia
Juan Carlos Toja Vega is a Colombian footballer who plays for Aris Thessaloniki
.
following the tournament but struggled to break into the first team. He played 5 games in the Copa Libertadores Tournament for River Plate
, scoring once. He played in only three Torneo Verano games while loaned to River Plate
from Santa Fe in 2006.
and impressing in a tryout held at FC Dallas
pre-season camp in Brazil
, Toja was signed with Major League Soccer
on a loan from Independiente Santa Fe
. With his electric play and flashy style (topped off with an impressive hairdo – an homage to Jim Morrison
, the late lead singer of The Doors
), Toja quickly became a fan favorite in Dallas. He scored his first MLS goal, the game-winner, in a 2–1 win at Kansas City Wizards
on 5/12, and tallied another game-winner in a 2–1 win at Chicago Fire on 5/17.
He Scored his fourth goal in a 1–0 victory at Colorado Rapids
on 6/23, his team-leading third game-winner; Scored two in historic comeback at D.C. United
on 7/14 and earned the Week 15 MLS Player of the Week honors for his effort. Was named to the Major League Soccer All-Star Game
, starting and scoring the second goal of the MLS team's 2–0 win over Celtic F.C.
on 7/19 in Colorado
.
Started all three SuperLiga matches and tallied a goal and an assist. Left U.S. Open Cup
quarterfinal game vs. Charleston at halftime on 8/7 with a sprained ankle, which kept him out for the next two regular season games. Missed 9/15 game at New England Revolution
due to sprained right ankle. Returned to play full 90 minutes on 9/20 in 1–1 tie with Chicago Fire. Started 27 regular season games, finishing second on the team with 6 goals. Appeared in all 4 U.S. Open Cup
games and all 3 SuperLiga
games, scoring once vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
on 7/31 in SuperLiga
match. His 34 appearances in all competitions tied for second on the team with Arturo Alvarez
and Drew Moor
.
His production fell after the 2007 All-Star Game
as he received an ankle injury and struggled to find consistency. The season was considered a success and FC Dallas
purchased Toja's contract from Independiente Santa Fe
.
His performances remained at a high standard in the 2008 season with FC Dallas
, scoring 2 goals and being named to the 2008 All-Star Game
, but he left the US shortly after the All-Star Game to follow his 'dream' to play in Europe
for Romanian giants Steaua Bucureşti. As a testament to the quality and effort Toja put into his performances the FC Dallas faithful would wear wigs in celebration of his trademark 'rock and roll' mullet
.
On August 1, 2008, FC Dallas
made Toja's transfer to Romania
n side Steaua Bucureşti official. He was thus the first player to move from the United States to a Romanian club. Several days after his appearance at the Major League Soccer
All-Star game against West Ham United, it had been speculated that Toja would move to Europe
within a few days. He joined Colombia
n mates Dayro Moreno
and Róbinson Zapata
.
, signing a three-year contract. He made his debut in the UEFA Europa League against Jagiellonia Białystok. He will join his former teammate from FC Dallas
Carlos Ruiz.
, which Colombia hosted and won. Toja then competed at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
in Holland, helping Colombia to the Round of 16 before losing to eventual champion Argentina. Toja appeared in three of the team's four games, once as a substitute, including a start against Argentina. He was called up to the full Colombian national team in October 2008 and started in his first game versus Brazil on October 15, 2008 for a 2010 World Cup Qualifier.
, Led Zeppelin
, The Police
and Soda Stereo
also likes salsa music.. His grandfather on his dad's side, also named Juan Carlos Toja, was born in Uruguay
and played professional soccer in his country for C.A. Peñarol
later moved to Colombia
and played for Independiente Medellín
and Cucuta Deportivo grandfather on mother's side – Victor Vega, is Colombian and played professionally for Santa Fe, Millonarios and was a member of the Colombia National Team
.
Aris Thessaloniki F.C.
Aris Football Club , also known as God of war and the Yellows, is a Greek football club based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia. Formed in 1914, the club was a founding member of Macedonian Football Clubs Association as well as the Hellenic Football Federation, they currently compete in...
.
Colombia
Toja started his soccer career in Colombian tournament Interclubes (played amongst select country clubs) in the Clan MacGregor team, playing alongside retired professional player Lucas Jaramillo. Joined Colombian Santa Fe at age 16, playing for the club's U-19 team for six months, was promoted to the first team in early 2004, where he played 25 games in the next two seasons.Argentina
Toja signed with Argentine giants River PlateClub Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
following the tournament but struggled to break into the first team. He played 5 games in the Copa Libertadores Tournament for River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
, scoring once. He played in only three Torneo Verano games while loaned to River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
from Santa Fe in 2006.
United States
In February 2007, after sending a highlight video to FC DallasFC 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...
and impressing in a tryout held at 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...
pre-season camp in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Toja was signed with 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 a loan from Independiente Santa Fe
Independiente Santa Fe
Independiente Santafe is a professional Colombian First Division football club based in Bogotá. It has won six First Division titles and two Copa Colombia titles....
. With his electric play and flashy style (topped off with an impressive hairdo – an homage to Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison
James Douglas "Jim" Morrison was an American musician, singer, and poet, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band The Doors...
, the late lead singer of The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
), Toja quickly became a fan favorite in Dallas. He scored his first MLS goal, the game-winner, in a 2–1 win at Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
on 5/12, and tallied another game-winner in a 2–1 win at Chicago Fire on 5/17.
He Scored his fourth goal in a 1–0 victory at Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
on 6/23, his team-leading third game-winner; Scored two in historic comeback at D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
on 7/14 and earned the Week 15 MLS Player of the Week honors for his effort. Was named to the Major League Soccer All-Star Game
Major League Soccer All-Star Game
The MLS All-Star Game is an annual soccer game held by Major League Soccer featuring selected players from the league against various competitors...
, starting and scoring the second goal of the MLS team's 2–0 win over Celtic F.C.
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
on 7/19 in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
.
Started all three SuperLiga matches and tallied a goal and an assist. Left U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
quarterfinal game vs. Charleston at halftime on 8/7 with a sprained ankle, which kept him out for the next two regular season games. Missed 9/15 game at New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
due to sprained right ankle. Returned to play full 90 minutes on 9/20 in 1–1 tie with Chicago Fire. Started 27 regular season games, finishing second on the team with 6 goals. Appeared in all 4 U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
games and all 3 SuperLiga
North American SuperLiga
The SuperLiga was an official North American association football competition between teams from the Primera División of Mexico and Major League Soccer of the United States and Canada, the top divisions in each country. The competition was sanctioned by CONCACAF, U.S...
games, scoring once vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
on 7/31 in SuperLiga
North American SuperLiga
The SuperLiga was an official North American association football competition between teams from the Primera División of Mexico and Major League Soccer of the United States and Canada, the top divisions in each country. The competition was sanctioned by CONCACAF, U.S...
match. His 34 appearances in all competitions tied for second on the team with Arturo Alvarez
Arturo Alvarez
Arturo Alvarez is a left-footed, American-born Salvadoran footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, and for the El Salvador national team.-Professional:...
and Drew Moor
Drew Moor
Drew Moor is an American soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer. He is consistently ranked by major publications as one of the top defenders in the league.-College:...
.
His production fell after the 2007 All-Star Game
Major League Soccer All-Star Game
The MLS All-Star Game is an annual soccer game held by Major League Soccer featuring selected players from the league against various competitors...
as he received an ankle injury and struggled to find consistency. The season was considered a success and 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...
purchased Toja's contract from Independiente Santa Fe
Independiente Santa Fe
Independiente Santafe is a professional Colombian First Division football club based in Bogotá. It has won six First Division titles and two Copa Colombia titles....
.
His performances remained at a high standard in the 2008 season with 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...
, scoring 2 goals and being named to the 2008 All-Star Game
Major League Soccer All-Star Game
The MLS All-Star Game is an annual soccer game held by Major League Soccer featuring selected players from the league against various competitors...
, but he left the US shortly after the All-Star Game to follow his 'dream' to play in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for Romanian giants Steaua Bucureşti. As a testament to the quality and effort Toja put into his performances the FC Dallas faithful would wear wigs in celebration of his trademark 'rock and roll' mullet
Mullet (haircut)
The mullet is a hairstyle that is short at the front and sides, and long in the back. . The mullet began to appear in popular media in the 1960s and 1970s but did not become generally well-known until the early 1980s...
.
Romania
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...
made Toja's transfer to Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n side Steaua Bucureşti official. He was thus the first player to move from the United States to a Romanian club. Several days after his appearance at the 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...
All-Star game against West Ham United, it had been speculated that Toja would move to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
within a few days. He joined 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 mates Dayro Moreno
Dayro Moreno
Dayro Mauricio Moreno Galindo is a Colombian footballer currently playing for Club Tijuana in Primera División Mexicana.-Once Caldas:...
and Róbinson Zapata
Róbinson Zapata
Róbinson Zapata Montaño, aka Rufay , is a Colombian football player who plays for Deportivo Pereira.-Colombia:...
.
Greece
On 21 July 2010 he was transferred to Aris ThessalonikiAris Thessaloniki F.C.
Aris Football Club , also known as God of war and the Yellows, is a Greek football club based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia. Formed in 1914, the club was a founding member of Macedonian Football Clubs Association as well as the Hellenic Football Federation, they currently compete in...
, signing a three-year contract. He made his debut in the UEFA Europa League against Jagiellonia Białystok. He will join his former teammate from 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...
Carlos Ruiz.
Colombia National Team
He played with the Colombian U-20 national team at the 2005 South American Youth ChampionshipSouth American Youth Championship
The South American Youth Championship, also known as U-20 South American Championship and Juventud de América is a South American football tournament organized by the CONMEBOL , for South American national teams of men under age 20.-History:The first South American Youth Championship was hosted by...
, which Colombia hosted and won. Toja then competed at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in The Netherlands between 10 June and 2 July 2005. The 2005 championship was the 15th contested.- Venues :- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship...
in Holland, helping Colombia to the Round of 16 before losing to eventual champion Argentina. Toja appeared in three of the team's four games, once as a substitute, including a start against Argentina. He was called up to the full Colombian national team in October 2008 and started in his first game versus Brazil on October 15, 2008 for a 2010 World Cup Qualifier.
Personal life
His family sustained a tragedy when brother Sebastian, one year younger, was involved in an accident that claimed his life when Juan was 14 years old, also played volleyball as a youth has had long hair any chance he's had…though at school he was not permitted to have long hair, would grow it out while on vacation before getting it cut for school each year…is a fan of a variety of music, including rock with his favorite performer being the Rolling Stones, The DoorsThe Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
and Soda Stereo
Soda Stereo
Soda Stereo were an Argentine rock band who are recognized as one of the most influential and important Latin American and Ibero-American bands of all time...
also likes salsa music.. His grandfather on his dad's side, also named Juan Carlos Toja, was born in Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
and played professional soccer in his country for C.A. Peñarol
C.A. Peñarol
Club Atlético Peñarol also known as Carboneros, Aurinegros and familiarly as Manya, is an Uruguayan sports club based in the Peñarol barrio, Montevideo, best known for its professional football team. The team plays their home matches in Estadio Centenario, the largest stadium in the country, but...
later moved to 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...
and played for Independiente Medellín
Independiente Medellín
Corporación Deportiva Independiente Medellín is a professional Colombian football team competing in Fútbol Profesional Colombiano, the Colombian first division. The club is based in the city of Medellín and founded in 1913. It has won the league's national tournament known as Copa Mustang five...
and Cucuta Deportivo grandfather on mother's side – Victor Vega, is Colombian and played professionally for Santa Fe, Millonarios and was a member of the Colombia National Team
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
.