http://www.volzy.com/diaryxx.html
go on this website/ click onto 2006 then click onto june then 17, his mum is on the left of the pic and his dad is the last one on the right
Thursday, September 30, 2010
FACTS ABOUT BOCA
* Carlos? favourite American football team growing up was the San Diego Chargers.
* The literal translation of Boca?s Spanish surname is Black Mouth.
* Boca has played at centre-back, left-back and even in midfield for the Whites.
* His friends call him ?Los?.
* Carlos was voted MLS Rookie of the Year in 2000 and MLS Defender of the Year in 2002 and 2003
* The literal translation of Boca?s Spanish surname is Black Mouth.
* Boca has played at centre-back, left-back and even in midfield for the Whites.
* His friends call him ?Los?.
* Carlos was voted MLS Rookie of the Year in 2000 and MLS Defender of the Year in 2002 and 2003
full interview with Carlos
The American State of California may have received unprecedented attention from English football fans over the past six months due to the exploits of a certain high profile sportsman-come-celebrity, but Fulham fans have been enjoying a connection of their own to the Sunshine State for a few years now. In January, Carlos Bocanegra will celebrate the fourth anniversary of his joining Fulham. A regular for the Whites practically ever since, he and team-mates Brian McBride, Kasey Keller and Clint Dempsey have arguably done more than anybody else to prove that, contrary to what many believed, Americans can excel in the English Premier League. But with the spotlight of late focusing on his country of origin, Boca spoke to FulTime about the rise and rise of the beautiful game in his homeland.
Carlos Bocanegra was born and raised in Upland California, less than 50 miles from the Home Depot Centre in Carson that has been the focus of much of the world?s football media this year. ?It?s a suburb outside of Los Angeles and much like anywhere else,? he says of his hometown. ?There are houses, supermarkets, malls and the weather?s better, a lot better, a million times better!?
Yet despite a climate more suited to beach pursuits, and more significantly, America?s well known passion for its four primary sports, Carlos remembers getting into ?soccer? from an early age. ?I was about 5, with a team called Peewee Soccer, which was part of a youth soccer organisation in America,? he recalls. ?All the kids in my hometown played. We had local leagues and stuff like that. My older brother played and he liked it, so I assume that?s why my parents put me in it.?
Although, unlike in England, where children easily become obsessed with their football idols due to saturated media coverage, in 1980s California, Carlos and his buddies had no such influence; not that it quelled his interest.
?I didn?t really watch it on TV until I was a teenager, but it didn?t matter. If you like a sport as a kid, that?s all you care about. I was having a good time and that was the main concern.?
A natural sportsman though, soccer was far from his only sporting distraction.
?I played baseball, American football, basketball and track. You do pretty much everything when you?re young, and then you kind of pick one or two to specialise in when you get a bit older.?
As we now know, Boca?s choice would eventually be football of the English variety, but it wasn?t a decision he arrived at before his late teens.
?It wasn?t until I was about 17 that I chose soccer outright because I was playing American Football and baseball up to then. I dropped baseball, but was still playing American football and soccer until I was 18 when I went to college for soccer,? he explains.
Like many young, talented athletes in the States, Carlos was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship to university; an environment where, not only would he receive a high standard of education, but he would also be able to hone his sporting prowess. Opportunities such as this are limited to only those with exceptional ability, but it is a well-trodden path for some of the biggest names in American sporting history.
?When you?re a sophomore in High School, which is when you?re 15, the colleges can start writing you letters and expressing an interest in you attending their school,? he describes. ?They keep an eye on you and if they really like you by the time you?re a senior, they bring you out on what?s called a recruiting visit. The school pay all your expenses and you go to the college and stay on campus. They take you around, you go to a game usually to get a taste of the atmosphere, and all the students are there; they want to show you that there are girls at the school as well! That?s kind of how it goes. You go out for dinner with the coach and the players a few times and they basically just try and wine and dine you into going to their school.?
Carlos majored in history at one of the world?s most highly regarded academic institutions, UCLA, giving him a level of education that may be considered rare for a football player in this country, but contrary to the English football stereotype, until recent changes to the system in the US, it was the norm for young athletes to value an education as highly as their sporting career. A compulsory aspect of the development of Fulham?s young Academy scholars is their education to GNVQ or A-level standard utilising the dedicated learning facilities at Motspur Park, but such initiatives are not obligatory across the board in England and instead, a culture remains whereby young wannabe superstars will sacrifice schooling in pursuit of their dream. But despite the arguable strengths of his country?s system, Carlos isn?t necessarily critical of the English mentality.
?I think it works both ways,? he considers. ?You wouldn?t get a player like Wayne Rooney if he?d had to go to college and worry about academic studies. People forget he?s still so young because he?s been around for a few years now, but I don?t think he would have developed as fast if he?d had to focus on other matters. But for us in America they show us that education is the number one thing. You have to keep a certain grade point average in order to get into the team at college and that?s just how it is. I didn?t really realise any different until I came over here.?
Once the student/athletes graduate they are free to pursue their sporting dream, and the usual route is via the ?draft?. Another concept perhaps alien to supporters in this country, the draft system aims to distribute as evenly and fairly as possible the new batch of emerging talent each year across every team in the league. Clubs are assigned a pick number based on their league position the previous season (the lower their league placing, the earlier they pick) and teams take it in turns to select the players they are most impressed by. The idea is that the struggling teams get the first opportunity to select the best players, thus improving their squad for the following season and maintaining equilibrium across what is, as a result, a very competitive division.
?It?s the same in the NBA and NFL,? compares Carlos. ?All people coming out of college put themselves into the draft and the coaches and the general managers from the teams in the league come down to a combine in Florida. The top 50 or so kids coming out of college are invited to play in some games and show off what they can do in terms of strength, speed and all that stuff. Then there?s a draft at the end of the weekend when the teams take it in turns to pick the players they liked the most.?
In principle, it?s a fair and well organised system, though not always ideal for the players who may find themselves drafted by a team up to 3,000 miles across country. But Carlos was happy with how things turned out, despite having to swap the West Coast of Cali for the East Coast with Chicago Fire.
?Chicago was a really cool city,? he reflects. ?I got lucky. I came into a good team; we had a lot of good veterans. It?s hard to keep a team together for very long because of the salary cap, because when the younger guys start doing well they want to get paid more, which is natural, but I had four good years there before I thought it was time to move on.?
The salary cap Carlos he mentions is another example of a measure employed in the MLS to prevent the kind of financial divide that is becoming ever more prevalent in this country between the ?big four? and the rest of the League, and is designed to limit the amount of money each club is allowed to spend on their squad?s total wages.
?I think the main reason we are structured like we are in the States is because we have to get the league off the ground,? ponders Boca on the subject of the main differences between the MLS and the FAPL. ?If we just pay ridiculous salaries we?re never going to be able to make money and stay afloat and the league will go under. The fact that you can be traded even if you don?t want to kinda sucks though, so I like it how it is here. The players have a lot more say on what?s going on which is how it should be; both parties should be a part of making decisions. There are pros and cons to both systems, but you just kinda get used to it wherever you are.?
There can be no questioning the fact that the MLS has received greater media attention this year than ever before. Formed in 1993 as part of the agreement with FIFA that saw America host the 1994 World Cup, the league kicked off in 1996. But as USA ?94 faded from memory, the US public?s interest in the sport dwindled, and a poor showing by the national team at France ?98 led to widespread criticism of the standard of the league. However, a fresh focus on developing American talent saw a new generation of young players break into the national side to impressive effect at the 2002 World Cup. The nation?s interest was reignited by the success, and the MLS began to take off again. Ever since, the two have appeared to improve in tandem, with the national side peaking at 4th in the FIFA rankings in April 2006, and playing to a progressively higher level in fixtures against countries of an increasingly better standard.
?I think the league in the States helped a lot,? says Boca of the improving fortunes of his national side. ?Kids are also able to leave college early if they want to, or take the option of going straight professional without going to college, which has played a big role in developing talent faster at a younger age.
?The 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan generated a lot of interest and popularity because the US team did well, and the US Soccer federation also made a big deal about improving our team in terms of everything on and off the field ? making it more professional and really taking it seriously. Now we have the right people in the right positions, some good youth coaches, backroom staff, fitness teams, trainers and everything, so hopefully we can keep pushing on and improving. We do have a massive country to pick from too, so that helps.?
But for all the increased interest and progress, Carlos confirms that the sport still falls some way short of the traditional US pursuits in terms of attracting interest.
?Soccer still tends to get the fourth best athletes,? he says. ?The others tend to pick the other sports first. When we start seeing athletes like Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant, with their size and speed, taking up soccer then people like me probably won?t be in the team anymore! But it?ll be pretty awesome for our country.?
Carlos himself has been involved in the US National soccer team since youth level, playing through the ranks alongside the likes of Everton?s Tim Howard, and earning 49 senior caps to date. However, his proudest moment came this summer when he captained his country to glory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
?Anytime you put on the US jersey it?s a great feeling of pride because you go out there knowing you?re representing the whole country,? says Boca. ?We?re not the most liked country in the world when we travel around so there?s a sense of camaraderie. Everyone in the nation gets behind us and being able to captain the side makes it that little bit more special.?
Further personal achievement almost followed recently when he was shortlisted for the prestigious Honda Player of the Year award, for the third time. Awarded to the most highly-rated American soccer player playing anywhere in the world, it is the most treasured individual accolade in American soccer, but after making the final three, Carlos narrowly missed out on this occasion to LA Galaxy?s now four-time winner, Landon Donovan, and Tim Howard.
?Obviously you want to win awards, but it was nice to be shortlisted,? he reflects. ?But Landon and Tim are really good players as well and they?re really important for our country, so just being involved with them was cool.?
Previous winners of the award however include Fulham?s Kasey Keller (twice) and Clint Dempsey, whilst, unsurprisingly, Brian McBride has also made the final three on more than one occasion. So along with Boca, it would be a fair assessment to say that the Whites have four of the biggest stars to emerge from America in recent times. Spanning an age gap of 13 years, and representing four separate US States, the Fulham four have a broad appeal back in their home country, so despite all of Mr Beckham?s efforts to get American soccer fans watching their domestic league, there?s still likely to be a significant amount distracted by events in London, SW6.
Carlos Bocanegra was born and raised in Upland California, less than 50 miles from the Home Depot Centre in Carson that has been the focus of much of the world?s football media this year. ?It?s a suburb outside of Los Angeles and much like anywhere else,? he says of his hometown. ?There are houses, supermarkets, malls and the weather?s better, a lot better, a million times better!?
Yet despite a climate more suited to beach pursuits, and more significantly, America?s well known passion for its four primary sports, Carlos remembers getting into ?soccer? from an early age. ?I was about 5, with a team called Peewee Soccer, which was part of a youth soccer organisation in America,? he recalls. ?All the kids in my hometown played. We had local leagues and stuff like that. My older brother played and he liked it, so I assume that?s why my parents put me in it.?
Although, unlike in England, where children easily become obsessed with their football idols due to saturated media coverage, in 1980s California, Carlos and his buddies had no such influence; not that it quelled his interest.
?I didn?t really watch it on TV until I was a teenager, but it didn?t matter. If you like a sport as a kid, that?s all you care about. I was having a good time and that was the main concern.?
A natural sportsman though, soccer was far from his only sporting distraction.
?I played baseball, American football, basketball and track. You do pretty much everything when you?re young, and then you kind of pick one or two to specialise in when you get a bit older.?
As we now know, Boca?s choice would eventually be football of the English variety, but it wasn?t a decision he arrived at before his late teens.
?It wasn?t until I was about 17 that I chose soccer outright because I was playing American Football and baseball up to then. I dropped baseball, but was still playing American football and soccer until I was 18 when I went to college for soccer,? he explains.
Like many young, talented athletes in the States, Carlos was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship to university; an environment where, not only would he receive a high standard of education, but he would also be able to hone his sporting prowess. Opportunities such as this are limited to only those with exceptional ability, but it is a well-trodden path for some of the biggest names in American sporting history.
?When you?re a sophomore in High School, which is when you?re 15, the colleges can start writing you letters and expressing an interest in you attending their school,? he describes. ?They keep an eye on you and if they really like you by the time you?re a senior, they bring you out on what?s called a recruiting visit. The school pay all your expenses and you go to the college and stay on campus. They take you around, you go to a game usually to get a taste of the atmosphere, and all the students are there; they want to show you that there are girls at the school as well! That?s kind of how it goes. You go out for dinner with the coach and the players a few times and they basically just try and wine and dine you into going to their school.?
Carlos majored in history at one of the world?s most highly regarded academic institutions, UCLA, giving him a level of education that may be considered rare for a football player in this country, but contrary to the English football stereotype, until recent changes to the system in the US, it was the norm for young athletes to value an education as highly as their sporting career. A compulsory aspect of the development of Fulham?s young Academy scholars is their education to GNVQ or A-level standard utilising the dedicated learning facilities at Motspur Park, but such initiatives are not obligatory across the board in England and instead, a culture remains whereby young wannabe superstars will sacrifice schooling in pursuit of their dream. But despite the arguable strengths of his country?s system, Carlos isn?t necessarily critical of the English mentality.
?I think it works both ways,? he considers. ?You wouldn?t get a player like Wayne Rooney if he?d had to go to college and worry about academic studies. People forget he?s still so young because he?s been around for a few years now, but I don?t think he would have developed as fast if he?d had to focus on other matters. But for us in America they show us that education is the number one thing. You have to keep a certain grade point average in order to get into the team at college and that?s just how it is. I didn?t really realise any different until I came over here.?
Once the student/athletes graduate they are free to pursue their sporting dream, and the usual route is via the ?draft?. Another concept perhaps alien to supporters in this country, the draft system aims to distribute as evenly and fairly as possible the new batch of emerging talent each year across every team in the league. Clubs are assigned a pick number based on their league position the previous season (the lower their league placing, the earlier they pick) and teams take it in turns to select the players they are most impressed by. The idea is that the struggling teams get the first opportunity to select the best players, thus improving their squad for the following season and maintaining equilibrium across what is, as a result, a very competitive division.
?It?s the same in the NBA and NFL,? compares Carlos. ?All people coming out of college put themselves into the draft and the coaches and the general managers from the teams in the league come down to a combine in Florida. The top 50 or so kids coming out of college are invited to play in some games and show off what they can do in terms of strength, speed and all that stuff. Then there?s a draft at the end of the weekend when the teams take it in turns to pick the players they liked the most.?
In principle, it?s a fair and well organised system, though not always ideal for the players who may find themselves drafted by a team up to 3,000 miles across country. But Carlos was happy with how things turned out, despite having to swap the West Coast of Cali for the East Coast with Chicago Fire.
?Chicago was a really cool city,? he reflects. ?I got lucky. I came into a good team; we had a lot of good veterans. It?s hard to keep a team together for very long because of the salary cap, because when the younger guys start doing well they want to get paid more, which is natural, but I had four good years there before I thought it was time to move on.?
The salary cap Carlos he mentions is another example of a measure employed in the MLS to prevent the kind of financial divide that is becoming ever more prevalent in this country between the ?big four? and the rest of the League, and is designed to limit the amount of money each club is allowed to spend on their squad?s total wages.
?I think the main reason we are structured like we are in the States is because we have to get the league off the ground,? ponders Boca on the subject of the main differences between the MLS and the FAPL. ?If we just pay ridiculous salaries we?re never going to be able to make money and stay afloat and the league will go under. The fact that you can be traded even if you don?t want to kinda sucks though, so I like it how it is here. The players have a lot more say on what?s going on which is how it should be; both parties should be a part of making decisions. There are pros and cons to both systems, but you just kinda get used to it wherever you are.?
There can be no questioning the fact that the MLS has received greater media attention this year than ever before. Formed in 1993 as part of the agreement with FIFA that saw America host the 1994 World Cup, the league kicked off in 1996. But as USA ?94 faded from memory, the US public?s interest in the sport dwindled, and a poor showing by the national team at France ?98 led to widespread criticism of the standard of the league. However, a fresh focus on developing American talent saw a new generation of young players break into the national side to impressive effect at the 2002 World Cup. The nation?s interest was reignited by the success, and the MLS began to take off again. Ever since, the two have appeared to improve in tandem, with the national side peaking at 4th in the FIFA rankings in April 2006, and playing to a progressively higher level in fixtures against countries of an increasingly better standard.
?I think the league in the States helped a lot,? says Boca of the improving fortunes of his national side. ?Kids are also able to leave college early if they want to, or take the option of going straight professional without going to college, which has played a big role in developing talent faster at a younger age.
?The 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan generated a lot of interest and popularity because the US team did well, and the US Soccer federation also made a big deal about improving our team in terms of everything on and off the field ? making it more professional and really taking it seriously. Now we have the right people in the right positions, some good youth coaches, backroom staff, fitness teams, trainers and everything, so hopefully we can keep pushing on and improving. We do have a massive country to pick from too, so that helps.?
But for all the increased interest and progress, Carlos confirms that the sport still falls some way short of the traditional US pursuits in terms of attracting interest.
?Soccer still tends to get the fourth best athletes,? he says. ?The others tend to pick the other sports first. When we start seeing athletes like Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant, with their size and speed, taking up soccer then people like me probably won?t be in the team anymore! But it?ll be pretty awesome for our country.?
Carlos himself has been involved in the US National soccer team since youth level, playing through the ranks alongside the likes of Everton?s Tim Howard, and earning 49 senior caps to date. However, his proudest moment came this summer when he captained his country to glory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
?Anytime you put on the US jersey it?s a great feeling of pride because you go out there knowing you?re representing the whole country,? says Boca. ?We?re not the most liked country in the world when we travel around so there?s a sense of camaraderie. Everyone in the nation gets behind us and being able to captain the side makes it that little bit more special.?
Further personal achievement almost followed recently when he was shortlisted for the prestigious Honda Player of the Year award, for the third time. Awarded to the most highly-rated American soccer player playing anywhere in the world, it is the most treasured individual accolade in American soccer, but after making the final three, Carlos narrowly missed out on this occasion to LA Galaxy?s now four-time winner, Landon Donovan, and Tim Howard.
?Obviously you want to win awards, but it was nice to be shortlisted,? he reflects. ?But Landon and Tim are really good players as well and they?re really important for our country, so just being involved with them was cool.?
Previous winners of the award however include Fulham?s Kasey Keller (twice) and Clint Dempsey, whilst, unsurprisingly, Brian McBride has also made the final three on more than one occasion. So along with Boca, it would be a fair assessment to say that the Whites have four of the biggest stars to emerge from America in recent times. Spanning an age gap of 13 years, and representing four separate US States, the Fulham four have a broad appeal back in their home country, so despite all of Mr Beckham?s efforts to get American soccer fans watching their domestic league, there?s still likely to be a significant amount distracted by events in London, SW6.
08/03/2009 C. Bocanegra, voted "sexiest player of the SRFC"
Maybe this is not the way he dreamed of the jersey under the "Red and Black", but Carlos Bocanegra, the Latin playboy made in the USA, was elected by people of staderennais.com "Sexiest Player" of the team. Arrived at Rennes last summer, American smile pest is already a sex symbol across the Atlantic. It seems that the supporters Bretonnes are also sensitive to extra-strength sports ...
What would you say to women who voted for you?
Thank you for not having voted for Bruno Cheyrou! (laughs)
If your turn you had to elect the sexiest player of the club, for whom would you vote?
If Petter (Hansson) found two teeth, I would vote for him. Otherwise, to Jires (Kembo -
Ekoko) (laughs).
What do you think is the right strategyto adopt seduction to seduce a woman?
There is no strategy to get. That's the secret!
What is for you the ideal woman?
I have no ideal woman. Each girl is different and special in its own way.
What are the women in your life?
My mother is really the most important woman in my life. She did so much for me when I was young. She sacrificed a lot. Someone unique to me as a mother is for everyone.
If you had a message for women who are supporting you from tonight, what would it be? Come and enjoy the game: be behind the Stade Rennais FC! Together we will win! I also wish a good day for women at each of our supporters. (In french) Vive les femmes
What would you say to women who voted for you?
Thank you for not having voted for Bruno Cheyrou! (laughs)
If your turn you had to elect the sexiest player of the club, for whom would you vote?
If Petter (Hansson) found two teeth, I would vote for him. Otherwise, to Jires (Kembo -
Ekoko) (laughs).
What do you think is the right strategyto adopt seduction to seduce a woman?
There is no strategy to get. That's the secret!
What is for you the ideal woman?
I have no ideal woman. Each girl is different and special in its own way.
What are the women in your life?
My mother is really the most important woman in my life. She did so much for me when I was young. She sacrificed a lot. Someone unique to me as a mother is for everyone.
If you had a message for women who are supporting you from tonight, what would it be? Come and enjoy the game: be behind the Stade Rennais FC! Together we will win! I also wish a good day for women at each of our supporters. (In french) Vive les femmes
article from Chicago 2000
Hail to Bocanegra Young Fire defender storms into the battle for MLS rookie award
Not long after he arrived in Chicago, California native Carlos Bocanegra got a rather unpleasant introduction to Midwestern weather. He watched, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, as an April storm dumped a barrage of hail at the Fire's Lake Forest training facility.
"It was pretty amazing. I've never seen anything like that. We get hail, but this was like that big," he said, indicating golf-ball size. "The whole ground was white."
The hail cost him $2,000 to repair the dents in his car. He still hasn't gotten used to Chicago weather or Chicago bars, where smoking is legal. But even though he still gets lost here "like, once a week," he's gotten comfortable in the Fire's defense.
Not long after he arrived in Chicago, California native Carlos Bocanegra got a rather unpleasant introduction to Midwestern weather. He watched, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, as an April storm dumped a barrage of hail at the Fire's Lake Forest training facility.
"It was pretty amazing. I've never seen anything like that. We get hail, but this was like that big," he said, indicating golf-ball size. "The whole ground was white."
The hail cost him $2,000 to repair the dents in his car. He still hasn't gotten used to Chicago weather or Chicago bars, where smoking is legal. But even though he still gets lost here "like, once a week," he's gotten comfortable in the Fire's defense.
Goal.com's Allen Ramsey profiles the captain of the U.S. Men's National Team, Carlos Bocanegra
Feb 11, 2009
American defender Carlos Bocanegra may not be one of the biggest names on the two rosters that will meet at Columbus Crew stadium Wednesday night. However, the 29-year-old captain of the U.S. squad will certainly have his say in the match.
As an international player for the United States, Bocanegra has met his share of criticism. First capped for the U.S. in 2001, the Upland, California native struggled to find his place in the American squad until 2003 when he led all defenders with 13 appearances and was a stalwart during the U.S.?s run to a third place finish at the Gold Cup.
Used by Bruce Arena as both a central and left back during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, the UCLA product seemed to have a hard time cementing his role as a sure-fire starter for the U.S. Despite unsure role, and stiff competition from a number of defensive prospects, Bocanegra made two starts at left back during the World Cup.
After the disappointment of Germany, new national team manager Bob Bradley seemingly turned to Bocanegra to help bring some continuity to the U.S. back line. Since wearing the captain?s armband for the first time in June of 2007, and holding the honor through the 2007 Gold Cup championship run, Bocanegra has become Bradley?s first choice captain.
A move to France in the summer led to the former Fulham player regaining his form and heading into Wednesday night?s showdown with Mexico, Bocanegra is the undoubted captain of the U.S.A.
Strengths:
The biggest strength Carlos Bocanegra brigns to the table is his ability to organize the back line. A vocal leader and intelligent player, the Rennes man?s best quality is his ability to keep his back four, and the midfielders in front of them, in working order throughout the match.
While his organizational skills are without question his best attribute, Bocanegra also brings a wealth of defensive skill into the match. He is a dominant player in the air and, teaming with Oguchi Onyewu, allows for some level of comfort in dealing with set pieces and crosses. The American captain is also a sure tackler with a knack for filling passing lanes and breaking up combination play.
Maybe the most underestimated ability in Bocanegra?s arsenal is his attacking prowess. The defender has been known to score goals in big spots for both club and country and is always a danger on set plays.
Weaknesses:
Two weaknesses show up when breaking down the captain?s play.
First, his pace is not exceptional. Too often Bocanegra gets caught chasing the play when he fails to intercept a though ball. His speed does not allow for him to make up ground on most forwards. He is also suspect when dealing with balls played in over the top.
Second, he struggles with stronger forwards. This particular attribute is often covered up by the massive Onyewu, however a powerful striker can play with his back to goal effectively in front of Bocanegra.
Influence On The Match:
Bocanegra is the leader of a back line that will need to be well organized in order to deal with Mexico?s attacking style. The off the ball, free form, running of the Mexicans from midfield is always a challenge for any defensive group. The Americans have dealt with the dilemma well in the past by being well organized and holding their shape, rather than chasing the play.
Captain Carlos will be in trusted by Bradley to make sure both his fellow defenders, and the defensive midfield pairing of Kljestan and Bradley, know their duties throughout.
American defender Carlos Bocanegra may not be one of the biggest names on the two rosters that will meet at Columbus Crew stadium Wednesday night. However, the 29-year-old captain of the U.S. squad will certainly have his say in the match.
As an international player for the United States, Bocanegra has met his share of criticism. First capped for the U.S. in 2001, the Upland, California native struggled to find his place in the American squad until 2003 when he led all defenders with 13 appearances and was a stalwart during the U.S.?s run to a third place finish at the Gold Cup.
Used by Bruce Arena as both a central and left back during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, the UCLA product seemed to have a hard time cementing his role as a sure-fire starter for the U.S. Despite unsure role, and stiff competition from a number of defensive prospects, Bocanegra made two starts at left back during the World Cup.
After the disappointment of Germany, new national team manager Bob Bradley seemingly turned to Bocanegra to help bring some continuity to the U.S. back line. Since wearing the captain?s armband for the first time in June of 2007, and holding the honor through the 2007 Gold Cup championship run, Bocanegra has become Bradley?s first choice captain.
A move to France in the summer led to the former Fulham player regaining his form and heading into Wednesday night?s showdown with Mexico, Bocanegra is the undoubted captain of the U.S.A.
Strengths:
The biggest strength Carlos Bocanegra brigns to the table is his ability to organize the back line. A vocal leader and intelligent player, the Rennes man?s best quality is his ability to keep his back four, and the midfielders in front of them, in working order throughout the match.
While his organizational skills are without question his best attribute, Bocanegra also brings a wealth of defensive skill into the match. He is a dominant player in the air and, teaming with Oguchi Onyewu, allows for some level of comfort in dealing with set pieces and crosses. The American captain is also a sure tackler with a knack for filling passing lanes and breaking up combination play.
Maybe the most underestimated ability in Bocanegra?s arsenal is his attacking prowess. The defender has been known to score goals in big spots for both club and country and is always a danger on set plays.
Weaknesses:
Two weaknesses show up when breaking down the captain?s play.
First, his pace is not exceptional. Too often Bocanegra gets caught chasing the play when he fails to intercept a though ball. His speed does not allow for him to make up ground on most forwards. He is also suspect when dealing with balls played in over the top.
Second, he struggles with stronger forwards. This particular attribute is often covered up by the massive Onyewu, however a powerful striker can play with his back to goal effectively in front of Bocanegra.
Influence On The Match:
Bocanegra is the leader of a back line that will need to be well organized in order to deal with Mexico?s attacking style. The off the ball, free form, running of the Mexicans from midfield is always a challenge for any defensive group. The Americans have dealt with the dilemma well in the past by being well organized and holding their shape, rather than chasing the play.
Captain Carlos will be in trusted by Bradley to make sure both his fellow defenders, and the defensive midfield pairing of Kljestan and Bradley, know their duties throughout.
Carlos's Spanish is almost nonexistent
His name is entirely Latino, but his Spanish is almost nonexistent.
Carlos Bocanegra, Fulham player in England and whose veins runs the blood of Mexico, agreed to have no special feeling for the country of origin is her father.
"No, I have mixed feelings when they play against Mexico. Yes, it is true that my father and grandfather are from Mexico, including much they enjoy watching Mexican soccer, but I support myself when I see the stadium, where they are with me I play for my country, "said the proud zaguero U.S. yesterday in the concentration of the favorites to win the Gold Cup 2007.
Bocanegra was born in California 28 years ago, and although his father is from Durango, his mother is American, and under that style of life he grew, so did not speak the laguage almost paternal.
"I'm sorry indeed, but my Spanish is not good," confessed to the defense of 1.83 meters in height, World Cup 2006 in Germany.
Has become so important in the device Bocanegra tactical Bob Bradley, the new coach of his country, was appointed team captain for the current tournament
Carlos Bocanegra, Fulham player in England and whose veins runs the blood of Mexico, agreed to have no special feeling for the country of origin is her father.
"No, I have mixed feelings when they play against Mexico. Yes, it is true that my father and grandfather are from Mexico, including much they enjoy watching Mexican soccer, but I support myself when I see the stadium, where they are with me I play for my country, "said the proud zaguero U.S. yesterday in the concentration of the favorites to win the Gold Cup 2007.
Bocanegra was born in California 28 years ago, and although his father is from Durango, his mother is American, and under that style of life he grew, so did not speak the laguage almost paternal.
"I'm sorry indeed, but my Spanish is not good," confessed to the defense of 1.83 meters in height, World Cup 2006 in Germany.
Has become so important in the device Bocanegra tactical Bob Bradley, the new coach of his country, was appointed team captain for the current tournament
Interview with Carlos when he was palying for Fulham FC
As cliché as it may sound, Carlos Bocanegra is the epitome of ?California Cool.? When he arrives, fashionably late and with a driver in tow for our interview, he looks mildly surprised as he walks into the photo studio on this unusually hot ...Southern California summer afternoon and is immediately welcomed by a handful of strangers. He scans the room, seemingly desperate to figure out what all the fuss is about, when in reality, the fuss is all about him. He?s dressed of course, California casual, in shorts, a T-shirt and sandals, a duffle bag hanging off his squared shoulders. As he?s filled-in on the details for the rest of the afternoon (including the photo shoot for the cover), he seems to take it all in stride, neither loathing it nor loving it, just nodding, ready for whatever comes his way.
It?s a demeanor that has and will continue to serve him well, as he prepares in ten short days, to return to England and start preseason training for what will be his first full European season. The 25-year-old out of UCLA has the look; a quiet confidence and the talent to make his mark in Europe while keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground and not letting it all go to his head. He?s plying his trade in the English Premier League for top-ten finisher Fulham and rubbing elbows with some of the biggest names in the game on a weekly basis in what is arguably the most glamorous League in the world.
There?s nothing in-your-face about him off the field, at least not when we first meet. He doesn?t speak with his hands, or in purposefully loud tones, and he doesn?t try to call attention to himself in public. He?s a grinder?a hard-nosed, hard-working defender who makes his living trying to play his game?by not letting the opposition play theirs. But this kid (who calls Fontana home in the off-season), didn?t just come out of nowhere. He was a Parade All-American at Alta Loma High School and an All-American at UCLA before leaving college early to enter the MLS Draft. He?s been an MLS Rookie of the Year, as well as an MLS Defender of the Year and he was also a stabilizing force in the Chicago Fire backline for four seasons before his MLS contract ran out and Europe came calling. He?s also earned over two-dozen caps for the United States National Team and is earning a reputation as a defender who can come forward and score timely goals off of set pieces as evidenced with his game-tying goal against Poland just days earlier in his former MLS city.
As we walk down to a restaurant a couple of blocks away from the photo studio for our chat, I feel a certain level of discomfort in the air. But I can?t figure out from whom it?s coming from?or if it?s just because it?s too damn hot to be walking anywhere?no matter how short the jaunt. Maybe he?s nervous about the photo shoot? Or maybe he?s got something to hide? Or maybe? just maybe? he?s really not that comfortable talking about himself. But then, after he offers to call his brother and ask him to bring a much-needed suit for the photo shoot later, I start thinking that maybe I?m totally off base.
He could just be tired (he played two days ago, and traveled back from Chicago yesterday), or weary from playing well over a year of continuous soccer or a little bit cynical after getting torn up by the English press not too long after his arrival.
Only a handful of games into his EPL career, Bocanegra was sent off for a reckless challenge on Aston Villa?s Mark Delaney. The English press had a field day with the young American, and Bocanegra got a rude introduction to European journalism. ?The papers hammered me and Sky Sports hammered me,? he says while sipping an iced tea at the Yard House in Newport Beach. ?But the guys on my team and my coaches knew I didn?t mean to hurt him. I went onto the bus and apologized to him and he was cool with it. For the papers, it was just something to talk about and I was an American in England, they just blew it up and ran with it.?
As talk turns to life on the field, Bocanegra admits there were definitely some things that took some getting used to. ?The speed of play is faster. Also, dealing with the wet pitch game in and game out, your legs get a little heavy towards the end of the game. The fields are always wet and if it?s not raining, they water the field ten minutes before we go on the field,? he says. When I ask him if he finds it odd that they actually water the fields on days that aren?t actually wet, he laughs at the irony. ?I?ve heard about it, but you never really see it. You?re hitting long balls before the game with another back and you have to walk over the water hose, it?s pretty cool.?
It seems like the biggest adjustment for a back would be getting used to the abundance of offensive talent playing in England, but when I ask him to talk about the players in England he hopes not to face this season or had a hard time with last season, it?s not the names you?d expect to hear. Names like Henry, Mutu and Shearer come up, but a certain one sticks out, one that Bocanegra will not soon forget. ?I have problems with this guy from West Ham, Marlon Harewood. He?s this big dude, like 6?2 and 190 pounds; he?s just a horse. He was thick, strong and fast. Usually, I can get a hand on players, get an arm on them, but he was running right through me and I was like, ?oh my god,? I can?t handle this guy. He was probably my biggest nightmare on the field. He was just fast as hell. I couldn?t grab him, so I had to foul him, then when I tried to foul him sometimes he just knocked me off and I was like? alright? this isn?t working too well,? he adds with a self-depreciating laugh.
As he picks at his seared Ahi and downs a couple of more iced teas, I can?t help but wonder how this southern California kid is adapting to life off the field and in a land far away from home. ?My refrigerator is the size of those little travel refrigerators for your garage. My washing machine is tiny?it?s like this big (makes his hands into the shape of a size 5 soccer ball)?seriously, you can fit like five pairs of underwear in there and maybe a couple of pairs of socks,? he says. ?I just take my stuff to the cleaners now. I don?t even deal with it. It?s really cool living in someone else?s culture and living it day in and day out?I like it. I just sit at Starbucks everyday and chill out and mind my own business and don?t get bothered.?
He feels that the people in England and at his club have warmed-up to him as much as he?s warmed-up to them. ?I think they like Americans. They always ask us what?s going on with the hip-hop and the gangs in L.A. They think that everyone lives in Compton. It?s funny?their perceptions of the United States?they?re really interested in what goes on over here.?
His transition to life in England seems to have gone too smoothly, something that makes me wonder if he?ll be talking with a thick, adapted English accent by the time the holidays roll around. ?When I first came back I didn?t have an English accent, but I brought back a couple of words. They say ?straight away? a lot and I said that in front of my friends here and they were like? ?What are you doing? where did that come from?? But it?s definitely not an accent.?
He loosens up as things move on and the day cools off, so much so that he admits to getting a little confused when it came to another big transition for an American in England?driving. Oddly, his episode didn?t take place over there; it was here! ?One time, when I first came back (to the U.S.) I got confused. There was some construction by my house and I just like stopped the car. (I felt like a fifteen-year-old girl.) I was like? (mimics a girl?s voice) oh my god! I just stopped and I was like? what side of the road do I have to go on right now? But after that, I was all right.?
What does he do to loosen up over there? The scene in London can be pretty wild and with a handful of other pro clubs in the immediate area, one gets the impression that things can get ?off the hook? a lot of the time. ?Every once in a while I like to get out and party a bit, but you definitely can?t do it as much, or at least I can?t. For me?those days aren?t over?you just have to pick and choose when to do it. It?s just cool, you know, partying in Europe.?
The conversation turns back towards life on the field, and he admits that he does feel the pressure of playing soccer in a country that lives and breathes the world?s game. ?It was definitely a dream move for me. I don?t know if I take it more seriously, but I do look upon it as more of a real career now, because it is such a big thing over there. I didn?t really know what to expect when I got over there, but after I played, I realized how it was going to be and that I would have to raise my game to that level week in and week out. And I think that was a challenge that was pretty tough.?
At Fulham, Bocanegra is coached by Chris Coleman, a man he has nothing but praise for and that has stuck with his American outside back ever since he made the move over to the West London club. ?My coach is cool, he?s young and he?s played with a few of the guys on the team. He knows the players; he?s definitely a player?s coach,? says Bocanegra, who made 19 appearances for the club in 2004. When I ask if he was ever in the doghouse with his coach (especially after the red card suspension), he adamantly discounts it all together. ?No, I wasn?t in the doghouse with that tackle either. He told me he didn?t want that tackle to change the way I play. He told me not to change anything and to keep playing the way I was. It was actually pretty nice. It was a meeting between just he and I, and I was a little down? it gave me a vote of confidence.?
I study his face while he talks, intently searching for that bead of sweat to come trickling down his forehead that will show me that he?s hiding his true feelings, that the overbearing stress of being an outside back in the most offensive league in the world is taking its toll. But it never happens. He seems to be playing it almost too cool for his own good. Isn?t life in the EPL?on and off the field?suppose to be harder? It may be, but Bocanegra acts as if he was cut out to do this his whole life. ?I?m having a great time playing in London. It?s a great city, so I?m happy with what?s going on. But I would like to play for a big club. I think that would be awesome,? he says very matter-of-fact.
Later (when we get back to the air-cooled photo studio), his brother Diego arrives with the requested threads. The Fulham defender is a couple hundred pictures into his shoot, and his brother starts giving him some stick, as Carlos seems to be getting too comfortable and maybe too familiar with the camera lens. He?s smiling more, but always aware of who and where he is, even disagreeing with a proposed shot when he considers it ?not him.?
After the shoot wraps, he and his brother query us about places to go out. The same people he walked into hours earlier, the same people he knew nothing about, were now giving he and his brother tips on the local nightlife. I couldn?t help but admire his trust in us, or at least, his politeness in asking. But when I talked with him over the phone a week later (just two days before his departure to England), and asked him about that night, he lets out a devious laugh, self-censors probably almost everything that went on, and innocently tells me that it was simply ?a good time?just partying, you know!? Unfortunately, I don?t know. But sometimes not knowing is a good thing. In the same way that Bocanegra not knowing how much people are paying attention to him, will allow him to just play his game and continue to tackle any challeng
It?s a demeanor that has and will continue to serve him well, as he prepares in ten short days, to return to England and start preseason training for what will be his first full European season. The 25-year-old out of UCLA has the look; a quiet confidence and the talent to make his mark in Europe while keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground and not letting it all go to his head. He?s plying his trade in the English Premier League for top-ten finisher Fulham and rubbing elbows with some of the biggest names in the game on a weekly basis in what is arguably the most glamorous League in the world.
There?s nothing in-your-face about him off the field, at least not when we first meet. He doesn?t speak with his hands, or in purposefully loud tones, and he doesn?t try to call attention to himself in public. He?s a grinder?a hard-nosed, hard-working defender who makes his living trying to play his game?by not letting the opposition play theirs. But this kid (who calls Fontana home in the off-season), didn?t just come out of nowhere. He was a Parade All-American at Alta Loma High School and an All-American at UCLA before leaving college early to enter the MLS Draft. He?s been an MLS Rookie of the Year, as well as an MLS Defender of the Year and he was also a stabilizing force in the Chicago Fire backline for four seasons before his MLS contract ran out and Europe came calling. He?s also earned over two-dozen caps for the United States National Team and is earning a reputation as a defender who can come forward and score timely goals off of set pieces as evidenced with his game-tying goal against Poland just days earlier in his former MLS city.
As we walk down to a restaurant a couple of blocks away from the photo studio for our chat, I feel a certain level of discomfort in the air. But I can?t figure out from whom it?s coming from?or if it?s just because it?s too damn hot to be walking anywhere?no matter how short the jaunt. Maybe he?s nervous about the photo shoot? Or maybe he?s got something to hide? Or maybe? just maybe? he?s really not that comfortable talking about himself. But then, after he offers to call his brother and ask him to bring a much-needed suit for the photo shoot later, I start thinking that maybe I?m totally off base.
He could just be tired (he played two days ago, and traveled back from Chicago yesterday), or weary from playing well over a year of continuous soccer or a little bit cynical after getting torn up by the English press not too long after his arrival.
Only a handful of games into his EPL career, Bocanegra was sent off for a reckless challenge on Aston Villa?s Mark Delaney. The English press had a field day with the young American, and Bocanegra got a rude introduction to European journalism. ?The papers hammered me and Sky Sports hammered me,? he says while sipping an iced tea at the Yard House in Newport Beach. ?But the guys on my team and my coaches knew I didn?t mean to hurt him. I went onto the bus and apologized to him and he was cool with it. For the papers, it was just something to talk about and I was an American in England, they just blew it up and ran with it.?
As talk turns to life on the field, Bocanegra admits there were definitely some things that took some getting used to. ?The speed of play is faster. Also, dealing with the wet pitch game in and game out, your legs get a little heavy towards the end of the game. The fields are always wet and if it?s not raining, they water the field ten minutes before we go on the field,? he says. When I ask him if he finds it odd that they actually water the fields on days that aren?t actually wet, he laughs at the irony. ?I?ve heard about it, but you never really see it. You?re hitting long balls before the game with another back and you have to walk over the water hose, it?s pretty cool.?
It seems like the biggest adjustment for a back would be getting used to the abundance of offensive talent playing in England, but when I ask him to talk about the players in England he hopes not to face this season or had a hard time with last season, it?s not the names you?d expect to hear. Names like Henry, Mutu and Shearer come up, but a certain one sticks out, one that Bocanegra will not soon forget. ?I have problems with this guy from West Ham, Marlon Harewood. He?s this big dude, like 6?2 and 190 pounds; he?s just a horse. He was thick, strong and fast. Usually, I can get a hand on players, get an arm on them, but he was running right through me and I was like, ?oh my god,? I can?t handle this guy. He was probably my biggest nightmare on the field. He was just fast as hell. I couldn?t grab him, so I had to foul him, then when I tried to foul him sometimes he just knocked me off and I was like? alright? this isn?t working too well,? he adds with a self-depreciating laugh.
As he picks at his seared Ahi and downs a couple of more iced teas, I can?t help but wonder how this southern California kid is adapting to life off the field and in a land far away from home. ?My refrigerator is the size of those little travel refrigerators for your garage. My washing machine is tiny?it?s like this big (makes his hands into the shape of a size 5 soccer ball)?seriously, you can fit like five pairs of underwear in there and maybe a couple of pairs of socks,? he says. ?I just take my stuff to the cleaners now. I don?t even deal with it. It?s really cool living in someone else?s culture and living it day in and day out?I like it. I just sit at Starbucks everyday and chill out and mind my own business and don?t get bothered.?
He feels that the people in England and at his club have warmed-up to him as much as he?s warmed-up to them. ?I think they like Americans. They always ask us what?s going on with the hip-hop and the gangs in L.A. They think that everyone lives in Compton. It?s funny?their perceptions of the United States?they?re really interested in what goes on over here.?
His transition to life in England seems to have gone too smoothly, something that makes me wonder if he?ll be talking with a thick, adapted English accent by the time the holidays roll around. ?When I first came back I didn?t have an English accent, but I brought back a couple of words. They say ?straight away? a lot and I said that in front of my friends here and they were like? ?What are you doing? where did that come from?? But it?s definitely not an accent.?
He loosens up as things move on and the day cools off, so much so that he admits to getting a little confused when it came to another big transition for an American in England?driving. Oddly, his episode didn?t take place over there; it was here! ?One time, when I first came back (to the U.S.) I got confused. There was some construction by my house and I just like stopped the car. (I felt like a fifteen-year-old girl.) I was like? (mimics a girl?s voice) oh my god! I just stopped and I was like? what side of the road do I have to go on right now? But after that, I was all right.?
What does he do to loosen up over there? The scene in London can be pretty wild and with a handful of other pro clubs in the immediate area, one gets the impression that things can get ?off the hook? a lot of the time. ?Every once in a while I like to get out and party a bit, but you definitely can?t do it as much, or at least I can?t. For me?those days aren?t over?you just have to pick and choose when to do it. It?s just cool, you know, partying in Europe.?
The conversation turns back towards life on the field, and he admits that he does feel the pressure of playing soccer in a country that lives and breathes the world?s game. ?It was definitely a dream move for me. I don?t know if I take it more seriously, but I do look upon it as more of a real career now, because it is such a big thing over there. I didn?t really know what to expect when I got over there, but after I played, I realized how it was going to be and that I would have to raise my game to that level week in and week out. And I think that was a challenge that was pretty tough.?
At Fulham, Bocanegra is coached by Chris Coleman, a man he has nothing but praise for and that has stuck with his American outside back ever since he made the move over to the West London club. ?My coach is cool, he?s young and he?s played with a few of the guys on the team. He knows the players; he?s definitely a player?s coach,? says Bocanegra, who made 19 appearances for the club in 2004. When I ask if he was ever in the doghouse with his coach (especially after the red card suspension), he adamantly discounts it all together. ?No, I wasn?t in the doghouse with that tackle either. He told me he didn?t want that tackle to change the way I play. He told me not to change anything and to keep playing the way I was. It was actually pretty nice. It was a meeting between just he and I, and I was a little down? it gave me a vote of confidence.?
I study his face while he talks, intently searching for that bead of sweat to come trickling down his forehead that will show me that he?s hiding his true feelings, that the overbearing stress of being an outside back in the most offensive league in the world is taking its toll. But it never happens. He seems to be playing it almost too cool for his own good. Isn?t life in the EPL?on and off the field?suppose to be harder? It may be, but Bocanegra acts as if he was cut out to do this his whole life. ?I?m having a great time playing in London. It?s a great city, so I?m happy with what?s going on. But I would like to play for a big club. I think that would be awesome,? he says very matter-of-fact.
Later (when we get back to the air-cooled photo studio), his brother Diego arrives with the requested threads. The Fulham defender is a couple hundred pictures into his shoot, and his brother starts giving him some stick, as Carlos seems to be getting too comfortable and maybe too familiar with the camera lens. He?s smiling more, but always aware of who and where he is, even disagreeing with a proposed shot when he considers it ?not him.?
After the shoot wraps, he and his brother query us about places to go out. The same people he walked into hours earlier, the same people he knew nothing about, were now giving he and his brother tips on the local nightlife. I couldn?t help but admire his trust in us, or at least, his politeness in asking. But when I talked with him over the phone a week later (just two days before his departure to England), and asked him about that night, he lets out a devious laugh, self-censors probably almost everything that went on, and innocently tells me that it was simply ?a good time?just partying, you know!? Unfortunately, I don?t know. But sometimes not knowing is a good thing. In the same way that Bocanegra not knowing how much people are paying attention to him, will allow him to just play his game and continue to tackle any challeng
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
More on Carlos Bocanegra’s hernia surgery May 23, 2010
Then there’s Bocanegra, who could start in the center or at left back. On Saturday, U.S. coach Bob Bradley dropped the nugget that Bocanegra had undergone sports hernia surgery earlier this month. The procedure took place in Munich with Dr. Ulrike Muschaweck, the renowned sports hernia surgeon who pioneered a technique that cuts recovery time to as little as two weeks.So it sounds as though Captain American ought to be available for the World Cup, but many US fans have to be getting increasingly concerned about the injuries that the backline has suffered.
Two weeks is exactly how long it took for Bocanegra to start full training with the U.S. team on Wednesday. According to Bocanegra, he was kicked on the left knee in a game on March 28 against Le Mans.
“It was above my knee, kind of in my left quad,” said Bocanergra. “I couldn’t flex my leg properly for three days. I was walking really awkwardly and tried to run on it like that.” The hernia, Bocanegra said, came as a result of overcompensation. He felt pain for “about four weeks” and had the sports hernia procedure in Munich on May 5.
Bocanegra said the sugery lasted 15 to 20 minutes. “For me it was not a big issue,” he added. “The procedure was quick. I was in and out. You’re walking right away and I was running three days later.”
He said he expects to be available for the U.S.’s friendly on Tuesday in East Hartford, Conn., against the Czech Republic.
Several MLS players have had the same sports hernia procedure with Dr. Muschaweck, including New England Revolution forward Taylor Twellman. When I asked Twellman about it on Twitter today, he DM’d me back, writing:
“If Carlos takes care of the injury now–i.e., scar-tissue massage–he’ll be fine.”
Recovery, Twellman wrote, takes “anywhere from 2-3 weeks. It’s later on that he’ll have side effects that suck. She cuts a nerve, which ends up not good later.” Twellman added that a few other MLS players who’ve had the Muschaweck procedure had dealt with similar “problems” in the longer term.
If Bocanegra is out, Jay Demerit would almost assuredly start at CB with LB being an open competition between Heath Pearce, Jonathan Bornstein, and Jonathan Spector. Wahl may be right that this leads to an 8th defender (I am guessing Bornstein are battling for 7th/8th right now) being taken instead of another midfielder.
Why CONCACAF is killing the best rivalry in North America
Why CONCACAF is killing the best rivalry in North America
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/grant_wahl/09/29/concacaf.kills.rivalry/index.html#ixzz10xaArZgi
Why CONCACAF is killing the best rivalry in North America
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/grant_wahl/09/29/concacaf.kills.rivalry/index.html#ixzz10xaArZgi
Why CONCACAF is killing the best rivalry in North America
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Boca's boys are flying high at the moment. 9/27/10
Boca's boys are flying high at the moment.
Sep 27, 2010
Carlos Bocanegra and Saint-Etienne maintained their spot atop the French Ligue 1, defeating giants Olympique Lyonnais 1-0 away, maintaining their third consecutive clean sheet in the process. Former leaders Toulouse missed their chance to go top, drawing 1-1 with Lille, while Bocanegra’s former club Rennes sit in second place after their 2-1 win over Nice.
Bocanegra played the full 90 at left back for Saint-Etienne and will hope to help his side continue their excellent run of form as they host Marseille on Saturday.
Carlos Bocanegra, St. Etienne (France)
Interview
Carlos Bocanegra, 31, defender and U.S. captain from Alta Loma, California, playing in his second World Cup.
Currently resides: Rennes, France.
Club: Stade Rennais (French Ligue 1).
One thing he’s learned about the French: They put green beans, haricots verts, on everything. I like them, but not at every meal.
Most universal French phrase: “Putain!” [“F*ck!”]
Hidden on-field talent: My sneaky little shirt-grabs.
Hidden off-field talent: I’m a Rock Band superstar.
World Cup pregame pump-up song: “America’s Sweetheart,” by Fall Out Boy. That one pumps me up. I also like that new Usher tune at the moment [“OMG”].
Relationship status: My girlfriend isn’t into soccer that much, but she’s learning.
If he didn’t play soccer: It’d be pretty cool to teach high school history. My favorite period is the Roman times. Just real rugged and manly men. You know, ripping meat apart with their teeth.
In the locker room: [U.S. midfielder] Stuart Holden is always talking. He doesn’t shut the hell up, ever. Always talking shit. Just talking to talk.
Twitter: There’s an account with my name on it? [@bocanegracarlos] I didn’t know that
Currently resides: Rennes, France.
Club: Stade Rennais (French Ligue 1).
One thing he’s learned about the French: They put green beans, haricots verts, on everything. I like them, but not at every meal.
Most universal French phrase: “Putain!” [“F*ck!”]
Hidden on-field talent: My sneaky little shirt-grabs.
Hidden off-field talent: I’m a Rock Band superstar.
World Cup pregame pump-up song: “America’s Sweetheart,” by Fall Out Boy. That one pumps me up. I also like that new Usher tune at the moment [“OMG”].
Relationship status: My girlfriend isn’t into soccer that much, but she’s learning.
If he didn’t play soccer: It’d be pretty cool to teach high school history. My favorite period is the Roman times. Just real rugged and manly men. You know, ripping meat apart with their teeth.
In the locker room: [U.S. midfielder] Stuart Holden is always talking. He doesn’t shut the hell up, ever. Always talking shit. Just talking to talk.
Twitter: There’s an account with my name on it? [@bocanegracarlos] I didn’t know that
17 Sep 05 Fulham's Carlos Bocanegra interviews the stars on the red carpet at the premiere for new football film Goal!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_4250000/newsid_4255800/4255842.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&ms3=6&ms_javascript=true&bbcws=2
if you have problems watching this please click to open link, at the bottom on the left hand side it will say launch alone.
if you have problems watching this please click to open link, at the bottom on the left hand side it will say launch alone.
Bocanegra issues apology 12 February, 2004
Fulham defender Carlos Bocanegra has apologised to Mark Delaney for a late tackle that saw the Aston Villa player leave the pitch on a stretcher.
Referee Barry Knight sent off the American for the two-footed challenge during Villa's 2-1 victory and now Bocanegra is keen to clear the air.
"I would like to say to Mark in public that I am sorry," said Bocanegra.
"There was no intent whatsoever, I was going for the ball. I just hope Delaney will heal quickly."
"I spoke to him on the team bus after the game and he was feeling a little better," Bocanegra added.
"His leg was wrapped up but they think he is going to be all right and I hope it works out for him."
Bocanegra has established himself at the heart of the Fulham defence since his move from Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire last month.
The 24-year-old United States international has impressed Fulham manager Chris Coleman, who said no further action would be taken against him.
Referee Barry Knight sent off the American for the two-footed challenge during Villa's 2-1 victory and now Bocanegra is keen to clear the air.
"I would like to say to Mark in public that I am sorry," said Bocanegra.
"There was no intent whatsoever, I was going for the ball. I just hope Delaney will heal quickly."
"I spoke to him on the team bus after the game and he was feeling a little better," Bocanegra added.
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"His leg was wrapped up but they think he is going to be all right and I hope it works out for him."
Bocanegra has established himself at the heart of the Fulham defence since his move from Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire last month.
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The 24-year-old United States international has impressed Fulham manager Chris Coleman, who said no further action would be taken against him.
Personal
Likes to play video games and is known to shred on guitar during Rock Band sessions on the road … Named one of E Channel’s Top 10 Sexiest Sports Stars … Enjoys listening to R&B and alternative hip-hop … Lists his older brother Diego as the most influential person in his soccer career … Holds the record at his high school for best free throw percentage … Enjoys eating Mexican food and bagels … His nickname is “Los.”
US National Team
Under-20s: Played every minute for the U-20 National Team at the 1999 World Youth Championship in Nigeria
Under-23s: Helped the U.S. to a bronze medal in the 1999 Pan American Games … Scored his first U-23 goal vs. Canada in the third-place match ... Made seven international appearances with the U-23s …
2001: Made his debut with the full national team on Dec. 9, 2001, against the Korea Republic … Trained with the U.S. prior to home World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica on Apr. 28 and Jamaica on Oct. 7 …
2002: Started all five matches in the USA’s march to the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship prior to the World Cup …
2003: Earned Man of the Match honors three times as he became the first U.S. defender since 1994 to score four goals in one year ... Notched his first international goal against Canada on Jan. 18 in Ft. Lauderdale, getting on the end of a Bobby Convey service … Scored a nearly identical goal in Jamaica on Feb. 13, again receiving a delivery from Convey … Netted the USA’s lone goal against Brazil in the 2-1 semifinal loss in the CONCACAF Gold Cup ... Received consolation by getting the opening tally in the 3-2 victory against Costa Rica in the Third Place match … Made 13 appearances for the MNT, tied for second best on the side and the most of any U.S. defender …
2004: Maintained his presence in the attack, tallying one goal and three assists … His 88th minute strike pulled the U.S. level in a 1-1 draw against Poland on July 11 in Chicago … Set up Eddie Johnson’s first two goals in the USA’s 6-0 pasting of Panama in D.C. … Started in five of the USA’s eight World Cup qualifiers, his first trip through a qualifying campaign … Made 10 appearances and nine starts overall …
2005: Started six of 10 final round qualifiers and in total played in 11 of 18 qualifiers in his first World Cup qualifying campaign, recording one goal and two assists … Led all defenders in minutes played (958) in 2006 qualifying … Opened his World Cup qualifying scoring account in trademark fashion, heading home the USA’s first – and game-winning – goal in the important 3-0 road win against Panama on June 8 … His performance at both ends in that match earned him ussoccer.com Man of the Match honors … His hustle kept a U.S. attack alive, forcing a save from David James that handed Clint Dempsey the lone goal in the 2-1 loss to England in Chicago ...
2006: A member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad that competed in Germany … Though he did not feature in the opening match against the Czech Republic, he went on to start the next two matches against Italy and Ghana … Played left back in both of the World Cup games he started, completing 90 minutes in both matches … In total, he made four appearances for the squad in 2006 …
2007: Captained the United States to victory in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the fourth time the team has won the title … Appeared in four of six Gold Cup games, scoring once against Panama in the quarterfinals … Made appearances in two 2007 victories over fierce rivals Mexico, including the memorable Gold Cup Final … Also served as captain and scored a goal in the USA’s 4-2 loss to Brazil in September
2008: Took the captain’s armband in all nine of his appearances for the U.S. in 2008 … Scored twice to take his career total to 10 goals, three behind former MNT centerback Marcelo Balboa’s all-time high for defenders … Headed in a DaMarcus Beasley corner kick to give the U.S. its first ever World Cup qualifying win in Guatemala … Also tallied the game-winner in the USA’s comprehensive 3-0 victory against Poland on March 26 in Krakow, where he earned Man of the Match honors …
2009: Started 14 of 24 matches for the U.S., including all 10 final round qualifiers … Tied for second in most starts for the team, and finished in third in minutes played (1,200) … His diving header in the 68th minute on June 6 against Honduras earned the U.S. a 2-1 win and Bocanegra ussoccer.com Man of the Match honors … He also picked up a hamstring strain in that match, sidelining the team captain until the semifinals of the Confederations Cup … Made his return in the 2-1 semifinal victory against No. 1-ranked Spain, starting at left back for the U.S. the first time in nearly two years …
Under-23s: Helped the U.S. to a bronze medal in the 1999 Pan American Games … Scored his first U-23 goal vs. Canada in the third-place match ... Made seven international appearances with the U-23s …
2001: Made his debut with the full national team on Dec. 9, 2001, against the Korea Republic … Trained with the U.S. prior to home World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica on Apr. 28 and Jamaica on Oct. 7 …
2002: Started all five matches in the USA’s march to the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship prior to the World Cup …
2003: Earned Man of the Match honors three times as he became the first U.S. defender since 1994 to score four goals in one year ... Notched his first international goal against Canada on Jan. 18 in Ft. Lauderdale, getting on the end of a Bobby Convey service … Scored a nearly identical goal in Jamaica on Feb. 13, again receiving a delivery from Convey … Netted the USA’s lone goal against Brazil in the 2-1 semifinal loss in the CONCACAF Gold Cup ... Received consolation by getting the opening tally in the 3-2 victory against Costa Rica in the Third Place match … Made 13 appearances for the MNT, tied for second best on the side and the most of any U.S. defender …
2004: Maintained his presence in the attack, tallying one goal and three assists … His 88th minute strike pulled the U.S. level in a 1-1 draw against Poland on July 11 in Chicago … Set up Eddie Johnson’s first two goals in the USA’s 6-0 pasting of Panama in D.C. … Started in five of the USA’s eight World Cup qualifiers, his first trip through a qualifying campaign … Made 10 appearances and nine starts overall …
2005: Started six of 10 final round qualifiers and in total played in 11 of 18 qualifiers in his first World Cup qualifying campaign, recording one goal and two assists … Led all defenders in minutes played (958) in 2006 qualifying … Opened his World Cup qualifying scoring account in trademark fashion, heading home the USA’s first – and game-winning – goal in the important 3-0 road win against Panama on June 8 … His performance at both ends in that match earned him ussoccer.com Man of the Match honors … His hustle kept a U.S. attack alive, forcing a save from David James that handed Clint Dempsey the lone goal in the 2-1 loss to England in Chicago ...
2006: A member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad that competed in Germany … Though he did not feature in the opening match against the Czech Republic, he went on to start the next two matches against Italy and Ghana … Played left back in both of the World Cup games he started, completing 90 minutes in both matches … In total, he made four appearances for the squad in 2006 …
2007: Captained the United States to victory in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the fourth time the team has won the title … Appeared in four of six Gold Cup games, scoring once against Panama in the quarterfinals … Made appearances in two 2007 victories over fierce rivals Mexico, including the memorable Gold Cup Final … Also served as captain and scored a goal in the USA’s 4-2 loss to Brazil in September
2008: Took the captain’s armband in all nine of his appearances for the U.S. in 2008 … Scored twice to take his career total to 10 goals, three behind former MNT centerback Marcelo Balboa’s all-time high for defenders … Headed in a DaMarcus Beasley corner kick to give the U.S. its first ever World Cup qualifying win in Guatemala … Also tallied the game-winner in the USA’s comprehensive 3-0 victory against Poland on March 26 in Krakow, where he earned Man of the Match honors …
2009: Started 14 of 24 matches for the U.S., including all 10 final round qualifiers … Tied for second in most starts for the team, and finished in third in minutes played (1,200) … His diving header in the 68th minute on June 6 against Honduras earned the U.S. a 2-1 win and Bocanegra ussoccer.com Man of the Match honors … He also picked up a hamstring strain in that match, sidelining the team captain until the semifinals of the Confederations Cup … Made his return in the 2-1 semifinal victory against No. 1-ranked Spain, starting at left back for the U.S. the first time in nearly two years …
Career
2001: Scored a goal for two points in the MLS Cup Playoffs … Finished his second season with Chicago making 13 starts in 15 appearances … Registered a career-high four points for the season, scoring one goal and tallying two game-winning assists ... Sidelined for almost half a season due to a left ankle sprain suffered on May 12 at New England, missing 12 consecutive games ... 2000: Honored as the MLS Rookie of the Year in 2000, after helping the Fire to the MLS Cup championship match and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title … Started and played in 27 of 32 games.
2002: Named MLS Defender of the Year in 2002 and a member of the Best XI … Started and played 26 matches for Chicago, recording two goals and three assists … Named an MLS All-Star … Scored the game-winning goal and earned an assist to give the Fire a 5-4 win against Columbus on June 5 …
2003: Earned MLS Defender of the Year honors for the second consecutive season, claiming his second spot on the Best XI as well … In his second consecutive MLS All-Star appearance, set up Carlos Ruiz for the game-winning goal against Chivas … Anchored the Chicago Fire backline to their third appearance in the MLS Cup final in five years ... Started 19 of 30 matches, missing playing time while cementing his spot with the national team …
2003-04: Became an instant addition to the Fulham backline, playing every single match for which he was available after joining the team mid-January, a total of 19 in all competitions … Made his Fulham debut Jan. 19 at Newcastle, marking legendary striker Alan Shearer
2004-05: His first full season in England, he grabbed the full-time position at left back … Despite sitting out seven of the last eight matches, finished the 2004-05 seasons with 28 appearances in EPL play … Scored his first goal in a Fulham uniform in the 4-3 loss at Portsmouth on August 30 …
2005-06: After opening the 2005-06 season with a minor knee injury, he assumed a regular role in Fulham’s central defense … Played in 14 of 16 league matches for which he was available in first half of the year …
2006-07: Proved to be a banner year, as he made a career-high 30 appearances for Fulham … Also chipped in with five crucial goals, another career high, making him second top scorer at Fulham, as the club barely avoided relegation … Scored a vital goal against Chelsea to secure a draw away from home …
2007-08: In his last season with Fulham, he was part of the club’s memorable fight against relegation, which ultimately ended in success on the final day of the season … Teamed up with four other MNT players, in Clint Dempsey, Kasey Keller, Eddie Johnson and Brian McBride at Fulham ... After Brian McBride was sidelined with an injury in late August, he stepped into the role of temporary captain for the club, a position that he simultaneously held for both club and country … His appearance against Wigan on September 15 marked his 100th game for the club in all competitions …
2008-09: Joined Rennes on a free transfer in June after four seasons at Fulham … Wearing the No. 3 shirt, he immediately became a regular for the club … After conceding four goals in their opening match of the season, Rennes let in just nine goals in 18 games … Finished 2008 on a 17-match unbeaten run in the league as Rennes climbed up to third place to close out December … Scored his first goal for Rennes in a 2-1 defeat of FC Twente in the UEFA Cup on Sept. 19 ...
2009: A regular in the Rennes backline that gave up the third fewest goals in Ligue 1 in the first half of the 2009-10 campaign … Started all 38 league games in his first season in France, with Rennes finishing in seventh place … Scored a goal in the final of the Coupe de France on May 9, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Guingamp who won 2-1 at the Stade de France …
2002: Named MLS Defender of the Year in 2002 and a member of the Best XI … Started and played 26 matches for Chicago, recording two goals and three assists … Named an MLS All-Star … Scored the game-winning goal and earned an assist to give the Fire a 5-4 win against Columbus on June 5 …
2003: Earned MLS Defender of the Year honors for the second consecutive season, claiming his second spot on the Best XI as well … In his second consecutive MLS All-Star appearance, set up Carlos Ruiz for the game-winning goal against Chivas … Anchored the Chicago Fire backline to their third appearance in the MLS Cup final in five years ... Started 19 of 30 matches, missing playing time while cementing his spot with the national team …
2003-04: Became an instant addition to the Fulham backline, playing every single match for which he was available after joining the team mid-January, a total of 19 in all competitions … Made his Fulham debut Jan. 19 at Newcastle, marking legendary striker Alan Shearer
2004-05: His first full season in England, he grabbed the full-time position at left back … Despite sitting out seven of the last eight matches, finished the 2004-05 seasons with 28 appearances in EPL play … Scored his first goal in a Fulham uniform in the 4-3 loss at Portsmouth on August 30 …
2005-06: After opening the 2005-06 season with a minor knee injury, he assumed a regular role in Fulham’s central defense … Played in 14 of 16 league matches for which he was available in first half of the year …
2006-07: Proved to be a banner year, as he made a career-high 30 appearances for Fulham … Also chipped in with five crucial goals, another career high, making him second top scorer at Fulham, as the club barely avoided relegation … Scored a vital goal against Chelsea to secure a draw away from home …
2007-08: In his last season with Fulham, he was part of the club’s memorable fight against relegation, which ultimately ended in success on the final day of the season … Teamed up with four other MNT players, in Clint Dempsey, Kasey Keller, Eddie Johnson and Brian McBride at Fulham ... After Brian McBride was sidelined with an injury in late August, he stepped into the role of temporary captain for the club, a position that he simultaneously held for both club and country … His appearance against Wigan on September 15 marked his 100th game for the club in all competitions …
2008-09: Joined Rennes on a free transfer in June after four seasons at Fulham … Wearing the No. 3 shirt, he immediately became a regular for the club … After conceding four goals in their opening match of the season, Rennes let in just nine goals in 18 games … Finished 2008 on a 17-match unbeaten run in the league as Rennes climbed up to third place to close out December … Scored his first goal for Rennes in a 2-1 defeat of FC Twente in the UEFA Cup on Sept. 19 ...
2009: A regular in the Rennes backline that gave up the third fewest goals in Ligue 1 in the first half of the 2009-10 campaign … Started all 38 league games in his first season in France, with Rennes finishing in seventh place … Scored a goal in the final of the Coupe de France on May 9, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Guingamp who won 2-1 at the Stade de France …
High School and College
High School - Three-sport (soccer, football, track & field) letterman and two-sport (soccer, football) All-CIF performer at Alta Loma HS ... Played all three sports with Bruin teammate Ryan Lee ... Earned first-team Parade All-American, All-CIF and all-league honors as a senior in soccer ... Scored a team-high 25 goals and added 11 assists despite missing several games due to football and U.S. Under-18 National camp training ... Named Alta Loma High's MVP ... As a junior, he earned all-league and All-CIF second-team honors while leading his team to a second consecutive league championship ... All-CIF second-team as a sophomore after leading his team to the CIF championship ... Earned four letters in soccer and three in football ... Alta Loma's Rookie of the Year in football as a sophomore when he helped lead his team to a league and CIF championship ... Led his team to a CIF championship as a senior by playing five positions (wide receiver, defensive back, punter, punt returner and kickoff returner) ... Earned numerous honors in his senior year, including team MVP, first-team all-league, All-Inland Valley and All-CIF ... Set school records for most receptions (46) and punt return yards (515) ... Made seven interceptions ... Averaged 35.8 yards per punt ... Had a kick-off average of 54.3 yards ... National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete ... Also lettered one year in track & field ... Competed in the sprints and long jump ... Played on the freshman and junior varsity baseball teams ... Played with the RC United Soccer Club in the off-season.
1997 - One of the top freshmen in the nation ... Named to Soccer America's All-Freshman team ... Selected to Soccer News' honorable mention All-American team, All-West first team and All-Freshman team ... Also rated by Soccer News as the No. 10 defender in the nation on its Elite Eleven team ... Only freshman named to the All-MPSF Pacific Division first team ... Voted the team's Rookie of the Year ... Named to the Final Four All-Tournament team ... Scored five goals and three assists (13 points) to rank seventh on the team and 13th in the MPSF Pacific Division in scoring ... Had game-winners in league games versus Cal Poly SLO and UC Irvine ... Named to Soccer America's Team of the Week Oct. 7 after scoring the game-winner and helping shut out Cal Poly SLO ... Led a UCLA defense which shut out 14 opponents, including four of five in the NCAA tournament ... Earned all-tournament honors at the Saint Louis Umbro Classic ... Led the team in minutes played with 2061 ... Played with the U.S. Under-18 national team.
1998 - One of 11 Soccer America Collegiate MVPs ... College Soccer Weekly second-team All-American ... Named a "Player to Watch" by the Missouri Athletic Club ... First-team NSCAA All-Far West selection ... Selected first-team All-MPSF for the second consecutive year ... Voted the team's Co-Defensive MVP ... A strong contributor on both offense and defense ... Scored two goals and recorded five assists ... Scored the game's only goal in the 1-0 win over eighth-ranked Stanford ... Assisted on the game-winner against Fresno State in the NCAA first round ... Named to Soccer America's Team of the Week Oct. 5-11 after helping the Bruins shut out Stanford and Cal and scoring the game-winner against Stanford ... Selected for a second time to Soccer America's Team of the Week Oct. 19-24 after scoring a goal and an assist in the shutout of Sacramento State ... Named the UCLA Pacific Soccer Classic Defensive Co-MVP after helping the Bruins shut out Saint Mary's and leading UCLA to a 2-1 win over then-No. 1 Indiana ... Member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team which won the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for the World Youth Championships.
1999 - Nominee for the Hermann Trophy and the Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year Award ... Second-team NSCAA All-American ... First-team All-American by College Soccer Online ... First-team NSCAA All-Far West ... Earned first-team All-MPSF Pacific Division honors for the third time ... Missed eight games (Oct. 10-Nov. 7) after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery ... Returned to play 25 minutes against Washington Nov. 10 ... In his first start back since the injury, he scored a second-half goal in UCLA's 4-1 win over San Diego in the NCAA first round ... Assisted on a goal in the NCAA second round game at Saint Louis ... Selected the Defensive MVP of the Cal State Fullerton FILA Classic ... Recorded a goal and an assist in the Bruins' 4-3 overtime win over Butler ... Earned Team Defensive MVP honors for the second consecutive season ... Pre-season first-team All-America selection by Soccer America and College Soccer Online ... Member of the bronze medal-winning U.S. Pan American Games team ... Scored his first Under-23 goal against Canada in the bronze medal game ... Earned six U-23 caps at the Games ... Member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team which won two games at the FIFA World Youth Championships ... Scored the game-winning goal against Cameroon.
http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/bocanegra_carlos00.html
1997 - One of the top freshmen in the nation ... Named to Soccer America's All-Freshman team ... Selected to Soccer News' honorable mention All-American team, All-West first team and All-Freshman team ... Also rated by Soccer News as the No. 10 defender in the nation on its Elite Eleven team ... Only freshman named to the All-MPSF Pacific Division first team ... Voted the team's Rookie of the Year ... Named to the Final Four All-Tournament team ... Scored five goals and three assists (13 points) to rank seventh on the team and 13th in the MPSF Pacific Division in scoring ... Had game-winners in league games versus Cal Poly SLO and UC Irvine ... Named to Soccer America's Team of the Week Oct. 7 after scoring the game-winner and helping shut out Cal Poly SLO ... Led a UCLA defense which shut out 14 opponents, including four of five in the NCAA tournament ... Earned all-tournament honors at the Saint Louis Umbro Classic ... Led the team in minutes played with 2061 ... Played with the U.S. Under-18 national team.
1998 - One of 11 Soccer America Collegiate MVPs ... College Soccer Weekly second-team All-American ... Named a "Player to Watch" by the Missouri Athletic Club ... First-team NSCAA All-Far West selection ... Selected first-team All-MPSF for the second consecutive year ... Voted the team's Co-Defensive MVP ... A strong contributor on both offense and defense ... Scored two goals and recorded five assists ... Scored the game's only goal in the 1-0 win over eighth-ranked Stanford ... Assisted on the game-winner against Fresno State in the NCAA first round ... Named to Soccer America's Team of the Week Oct. 5-11 after helping the Bruins shut out Stanford and Cal and scoring the game-winner against Stanford ... Selected for a second time to Soccer America's Team of the Week Oct. 19-24 after scoring a goal and an assist in the shutout of Sacramento State ... Named the UCLA Pacific Soccer Classic Defensive Co-MVP after helping the Bruins shut out Saint Mary's and leading UCLA to a 2-1 win over then-No. 1 Indiana ... Member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team which won the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for the World Youth Championships.
1999 - Nominee for the Hermann Trophy and the Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year Award ... Second-team NSCAA All-American ... First-team All-American by College Soccer Online ... First-team NSCAA All-Far West ... Earned first-team All-MPSF Pacific Division honors for the third time ... Missed eight games (Oct. 10-Nov. 7) after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery ... Returned to play 25 minutes against Washington Nov. 10 ... In his first start back since the injury, he scored a second-half goal in UCLA's 4-1 win over San Diego in the NCAA first round ... Assisted on a goal in the NCAA second round game at Saint Louis ... Selected the Defensive MVP of the Cal State Fullerton FILA Classic ... Recorded a goal and an assist in the Bruins' 4-3 overtime win over Butler ... Earned Team Defensive MVP honors for the second consecutive season ... Pre-season first-team All-America selection by Soccer America and College Soccer Online ... Member of the bronze medal-winning U.S. Pan American Games team ... Scored his first Under-23 goal against Canada in the bronze medal game ... Earned six U-23 caps at the Games ... Member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team which won two games at the FIFA World Youth Championships ... Scored the game-winning goal against Cameroon.
http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/bocanegra_carlos00.html
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Player Bio
Possessing strength and deceptive speed, Bocanegra is a key component to the U.S. backline. He has developed into a confident captain of the side during the past three years, as his role has grown both on and off the field. His perpetual scoring prowess from set pieces continued when he headed home the game-winner against Honduras in June, sparking a come-from-behind victory that began the momentum for the team’s run in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. After four years and more than 100 appearances with English Premier League club Fulham, ‘Los’ moved across the English Channel to start the next phase of his career with Stade Rennais in France’s top flight where he is a regular in the back line, deployed as either a left back or in the center.
- The U.S. captain made a career-high 14 appearances for the U.S. in 2009, surpassing his previous mark of 13 games played in 2003
- Played in 15 of 18 World Cup qualifiers in this cycle, notching game-winning goals in Guatemala in the semifinal round and against Honduras in the final phase
- Became one of the few players in U.S. Soccer history to simultaneously captain both his club side as well as the national team, which he did after captaining Fulham to a 3-3 draw against Tottenham on Sept. 1, and then took the armband for the USA in their game against Brazil on Sept. 9, 2007, in Chicago
- A powerful aerial presence, he is equally adept at both heading away attacks and finishing off set pieces on the opposite end of the field
- A two-time MLS Defender of the Year in four seasons with the Chicago Fire, he settled into a regular position at left back for Rennes, as his team went 17 matches unbeaten to finish out 2008 in third place in the Ligue 1 table
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