Oguchi Onyewu
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Oguchialu Chijioke Onyewu[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | May 13, 1982 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Washington, D.C., United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position(s) |
Center back | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1999 | IMG Academy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
College career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2000–2001 | Clemson Tigers | 43 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2002–2004 | Metz | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2003–2004 | → La Louvière (loan) | 24 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2004–2009 | Standard Liège | 139 | (11) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | → Newcastle United (loan) | 11 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009–2011 |
Milan | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | → Twente (loan) | 8 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011–2013 | Sporting CP | 17 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012–2013 | → Málaga (loan) | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013–2014 | Queens Park Rangers | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | Sheffield Wednesday | 18 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014–2015 | Charlton Athletic | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | Philadelphia Union | 22 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 247 | (17) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1999 | United States U17 | 5 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2001 | United States U20 | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2004–2014 | United States | 69 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018–2019 | Orlando City B (sporting director) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Oguchialu Chijioke Onyewu // ⓘ (born May 13, 1982) is an American former soccer player who is the Vice President of Sporting for the United States Soccer Federation.[3] He was previously the sporting director for Orlando City B[4] and secretary-general of R.E. Virton.[5]
During his professional career, he played as a defender for clubs in France, Belgium, England, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. Onyewu earned over 60 caps with the United States men's national soccer team and played for the United States at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
Club career
College soccer and move to Europe
Onyewu grew up in the
Standard Liège and Newcastle
Onyewu was loaned to
Onyewu returned to Standard, and his play continued to improve. He made his 100th
Onyewu dealt with racism during his time in Belgium, even having been punched and shouted at by racist fans while playing for Standard Liège.[9] The most well-publicized incident occurred in the 2008–09 Championship playoff when Anderlecht defender Jelle Van Damme, according to Onyewu, allegedly repeatedly called him a "dirty ape,"[10] even after Onyewu relayed the information to the referees.[11] Van Damme denied the accusations following the match and in return said that Onyewu himself taunted him in a racist way by calling him "dirty Flemish."[10] Approximately two weeks later, Onyewu's lawyer announced that he was suing Van Damme in an effort to end on-field racism in European soccer.[12] The case was withdrawn in February 2011 after a meeting between the two players when Van Damme apologized for any offense he may have given.[13][14]
Milan and loan spell with Twente
Onyewu signed a three-year contract with
On November 5, 2010, Onyewu made international headlines when he and teammate
In January 2011, Onyewu joined Dutch side Twente on loan until the end of the season.[22][23] Onyewu made his debut for the Tukkers on the January 19 against Heracles Almelo in an Eredivisie fixture where he would play the full 90 minutes.[24] Despite his stay being short lived at the Dutch side, Onyewu would feature predominantly in both domestic competitions and European competitions where his side reached the quarter finals. His stint with Twente saw him accumulate 14 appearances, as well as pick up a cup winners medal after Twente defeated Ajax 3–2 in the KNVB Cup final.[25]
Spells in Portugal and Spain
In June 2011, Onyewu joined Portuguese side
Unlike his time with A.C. Milan, Onyewu's playing time increased during the 2011–12 season. During the season, he gradually established himself as the first team regular starter, playing as a center-back alongside
The appointment of
Onyewu returned to Sporting in the summer of 2013 but agreed to a contract termination by mutual consent.[39]
Return to England and beyond
In October 2013, Onyewu signed with Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer,[40] but he failed to make any appearances and was an unused substitute on six occasions. In January 2014, Onyewu joined Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the season.[41]
In October 2014, Onyewu signed for Charlton Athletic on a short-term contract, making his debut as a substitute on December 26. The club extended his contract through the end of the season, but he was released following the conclusion of the season.[42] Onyewu was released at the end of his contract in May 2015.[43]
Onyewu trialed with Major League Soccer's New York City FC in May 2015 but was not signed.[44] He later spent a preseason tour with Rangers of the Scottish Premiership in June 2016 but was not offered a contract.[45]
Return to America
Onyewu signed with the Philadelphia Union during the 2017 MLS preseason.[46] Originally brought in to be a veteran presence for a young backline Philadelphia, Onyewu became a regular starter for the Union earning 22 appearances and scoring once.[47][48] Onyewu was released by the Union at the conclusion of the 2017 season.[49]
Retirement
In September 2018, Onyewu announced his retirement from professional soccer via Instagram concluding a 15-year career.[50]
International career
Onyewu was a mainstay on the United States national team for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup cycles. Early in his career, Onyewu represented the U.S. at various youth levels, including at the 2001 World Youth Championship. He made his first appearance for the senior national team on October 13, 2004, against Panama. Onyewu scored his first international goal in the 2005 Gold Cup, nodding home the extra time winner in the semifinal against Honduras, and was later named to the tournament Best XI.[51]
Oguchi played for the United States in the 2006 World Cup, and started in all three United States games. Just before halftime of the third and final group stage match against Ghana, Onyewu conceded a penalty from which Ghana scored, and the United States was eliminated by the 2–1 defeat.[52][53] Onyewu was voted the 2006
During the 2009 Confederations Cup, Onyewu was paired with Jay DeMerit due to the injury of his normal partner, Carlos Bocanegra, who was unable to play in the group stage. Onyewu played well against Egypt, helping lead the United States to a 3–0 win that earned them a berth in the semifinals. He also had a standout performance in the 2–0 semifinal victory over Spain.[54]
In a World Cup qualifier draw against Costa Rica on October 14, 2009, Onyewu suffered a patellar tendon rupture, forcing him to miss the rest of qualifying.[55]
During the 2010 World Cup, Onyewu started and played the full 90 minutes in the United States's first group match against England. During the second group match against Slovenia, he got his second start but was subbed out in the 80th minute. He did not play in the third group match against Algeria or the second round meeting against Ghana.
Personal life
Onyewu's parents moved to the United States from Nigeria to study in Washington, D.C. They are ethnic
At 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and 210 lb (95 kg), Onyewu is the second-tallest outfield player in United States national team history (after Omar Gonzalez).[60]
Business interests
In early 2017, Onyewu co-opened a sports performance facility in Richmond, Virginia.[61]
Career statistics
Club
Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Metz | 2002–03 | Ligue 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
La Louvière (loan) | 2003–04 | Belgian Pro League | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
Standard Liège | 2004–05 | Belgian Pro League | 30 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 3 |
2005–06 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 2 | ||
2006–07 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||
2007–08 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 2 | ||
2008–09 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 43 | 6 | ||
Total | 141 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 154 | 14 | ||
Newcastle United (loan) | 2006–07 | Premier League | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
Milan
|
2009–10 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2010–11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
Twente (loan) | 2010–11 | Eredivisie | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
Sporting CP | 2011–12 | Primeira Liga | 17 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 30 | 5 |
Málaga (loan) | 2012–13 | La Liga | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
Queens Park Rangers | 2013–14 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sheffield Wednesday | 2013–14 | Championship | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 |
Charlton Athletic
|
2014–15 | Championship | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Philadelphia Union | 2017
|
MLS | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
Career total | 249 | 17 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 1 | 290 | 24 |
International
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 2004 | 2 | 0 |
2005 | 9 | 1 | |
2006 | 6 | 0 | |
2007 | 11 | 1 | |
2008 | 10 | 3 | |
2009 | 13 | 0 | |
2010 | 7 | 1 | |
2011 | 4 | 0 | |
2012 | 5 | 0 | |
2013 | 1 | 0 | |
2014 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 69 | 6 |
International goals
- Scores and results list United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Onyewu goal.[66]
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | July 21, 2005 | East Rutherford , United States
|
Honduras | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup | |
2. | June 2, 2007 | Spartan Stadium, San Jose , United States
|
China | 4–1 | 4–1 | Friendly | |
3. | February 6, 2008 | Reliant Stadium, Houston , United States
|
Mexico | 1–0 | 2–2 | Friendly | |
4. | March 26, 2008 | Stadion Miejski, Kraków, Kraków , Poland
|
Poland | 2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | |
5. | October 11, 2008 | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., United States | Cuba | 6–1 | 6–1 | 2010 World Cup qualifying | |
6. | October 9, 2010 | Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, United States | Poland | 2–1 | 2–2 | Friendly |
Honors
La Louvière
Standard Liège
- Belgian Supercup: 2008
Twente
United States
Individual
- NSCAA Second Team: 2001[67]
- Belgian First Division: Best Foreign Player: 2003–05
- U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2006
- CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2005
References
- ^ "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players: USA" (PDF). FIFA. June 12, 2010. p. 32. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2019.
- ^ "Málaga Club de Futbol". Malagacf.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Soccer Federation Names Oguchi Onyewu As Vice President Of Sporting | U.S. Soccer Official Website". www.ussoccer.com.
- ^ "Orlando City B Names Former U.S. MNT Defender Oguchi Onyewu as Sporting Director". OrlandoCitySC.com. Orlando City SC. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ Kunti, Samindra. "With Belgium's Virton, Oguchi Onyewu Is Rebuilding Another Soccer Team". Forbes. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
- ^ Goff, Steven (April 11, 2006). "Onyewu Stands Out in Belgium". The Washington Post. p. E01.
- ^ "Fulham vs Newcastle United in FA Premier League 2006/2007". Football-Lineups.com. February 3, 2007.
- BSkyB. Archived from the originalon May 18, 2007.
- ^ Whiteside, Kelly (June 2, 2006). "Concerns raised over racism during Cup". USA Today. Contributing: Johnnie Whitehead. Retrieved February 17, 2008.
- ^ a b Seltzer, Greg (May 22, 2009). "S365 Exclusive: No Onyewu Slur Look Pending". Soccer365.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
- ^ Adubato, Michael (May 22, 2009). "Onyewu: We'll Make Liege Proud". Yanks-Abroad.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
I almost ended up fighting him (Van Damme). He called me a monkey several times. The league has these anti-racism campaigns, but when I told the referee what Van Damme was saying, he chose not to do anything about it. I also told the journalists after the game last night about this.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "U.S.' Onyewu sues over alleged racist slur". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. June 2, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
- ^ "Oguchi Onyewu retire sa plainte contre Jelle Van Damme" [Oguchi Onyewu withdraws his complaint against Jelle Van Damme]. DH Sports (in French). February 17, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ "Sport and the Law, Edinburgh Law School". Archived from the original on December 23, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ Landolina, Salvatore (July 7, 2009). "OFFICIAL: Milan Sign Oguchi Onyewu". Goal.com. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
- ^ "Onyewu inks pact with AC Milan". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. July 7, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
- ^ "Shock at the San Siro". ESPN. October 1, 2009. Archived from the original on October 4, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ "Oguchi Onyewu tells Milan he will play for free after injury". The Guardian. London. Press Association. May 17, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "It's not about the money – AC Milan star to play for free". BBC Sport. May 17, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ Marcus, Jeffrey (November 5, 2010). "Onyewu and Ibrahimovic Come to Blows at Milan Practice". The New York Times. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
- ^ "Fight Between Zlatan Ibrahimovic And Oguchi Onyewu Forces Milan To Abandon Training Session". Goal.com. November 5, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
- ^ "FC Twente huurt Oguchi Onyewu van AC Milan" [FC Twente hires Oguchi Onyewu from AC Milan]. fctwente.nl (in Dutch). Football Club Twente. January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ESPNsoccernet. ESPN. January 11, 2011. Archived from the originalon October 24, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ "FC Twente 5–0 Heracles Almelo" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. January 19, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Holanda: Twente conquista Taça frente ao Ajax" [Holland: Twente wins the cup against Ajax] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. May 8, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Oguchi Onyewu: "I'm here to win"". Record. June 28, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Sporting renasce do "inferno" e soma primeira vitória na Liga (2–3)" [Sporting are reborn from "hell" and pick up their first league victory (2–3)] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. September 10, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "P. Ferreira 2–3 Sporting" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. September 10, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Sporting continua em alta e vence Rio Ave (2–3)" [Sporting continue on a high and defeat Rio Ave (2–3)] (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. September 10, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Rio Ave 2–3 Sporting" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. September 19, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Sporting 1–0 P. Ferreira" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. February 19, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Onyewu vai parar dois meses" [Onyewu is going to stop for two months]. Record (in Portuguese). February 21, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Nacional 2–3 Sporting" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. April 22, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "J(Amor) de Briosa (1x0)" [Jamor of the Briosa (1x0)]. ZeroZero (in Portuguese). May 20, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "El central Onyewu, cuarta incorporación blanquiazul" [Center back Onyewu, fourth white-and-blue incorporation] (in Spanish). Málaga Club de Futbol. August 31, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Málaga 1–0 Milan" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. October 24, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Cacereño 3–4 Málaga" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. October 31, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Eibar 1–1 Málaga" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. December 18, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Sporting Clube de Portugal". Sporting.pt. August 29, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ "USA Defender Signs". Queens Park Rangers F.C. October 23, 2013.
- ^ "Oguchi Onyewu joins Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. January 11, 2014.
- ^ Groome, Olly (December 29, 2014). "Defender Oguchi Onyewu has extended his short-term contract with Charlton until June 1st, 2015, the club confirmed on Monday afternoon". Charlton Athletic. Charlton Athletic F.C. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014.
- ^ "Charlton announce list of released players". Charlton Athletic FC. May 12, 2015. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015.
- ^ "Veteran U.S. center back Oguchi Onyewu training with NYCFC". Sports Illustrated. May 26, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ Herron, Lindsay (July 8, 2016). "Rangers deal for US defender Oguchi Onyewu now unlikely". The Scotsman. Edinburgh.
- ^ "Philadelphia Union Sign Defender Oguchi Onyewu". Philadelphia Union. January 30, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ Ian QUillen (May 13, 2017). ""Old man" Onyewu's first MLS goal highlights huge win for resurgent Union". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ Ryan Bright (July 3, 2017). "Oguchi Onyewu, fueled by critics, leading stout Union defense". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ Ben Valentine (November 1, 2017). "Philadelphia Union release former USMNT veterans Edu and Onyewu". Goal.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ Robin Bairner (September 17, 2018). "USMNT legend Oguchi Onyewu announces retirement". Goal.com. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ Dickson (June 30, 2019). "Oguchi Onyewu – Nigerian-American Sporting Director". Leadership News - Nigeria News, Breaking News, Politics and more. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ "Second wind lifts Ghana". Financial Times. June 22, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2006.
- ^ "Ghana 2–1 USA". BBC Sport. June 22, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2006.
- ^ Tannenwald, Jonathan (September 17, 2018). "Former Union defender, U.S. national team stalwart Oguchi Onyewu retires from soccer". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ White, Joseph (October 15, 2009). "Onyewu out 3–4 months with torn knee tendon". Associated Press. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
- ^ "Oguchi Onyewu to stay with Charlton Athletic". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ^ Courtney, Chris (July 14, 2008). "Belgian citizenship makes Onyewu a more appealing transfer target in Europe". Soccer Times. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
- ^ "Champions League adventure for Malaga's Oguchi Onyewu"
- ^ Marcus, Jeffrey (August 21, 2009). "Q. & A. With A.C. Milan's Oguchi Onyewu". The New York Times. p. E01.
- ^ Whiteside, Kelly (August 16, 2005). "'Gooch' a big deal for U.S. soccer team". USA Today. Hartford, Connecticut.
- ^ "Sports trainer, soccer star opening gym in Richmond". Richmond Times-Dispatch. February 22, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
- ^ "USA – O. Onyewu – Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Football: Oguchi Onyewu". Football DataBase. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ "Profile of Oguchi Onyewu at". footballzz.co.uk. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ Oguchi Onyewu at National-Football-Teams.com
- ^ "International matches of Oguchi Onyewu". Scoresway.com. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- NSCAA. Archived from the originalon June 15, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
External links
- Official website
- Oguchi Onyewu at Soccerbase
- Oguchi Onyewu at ESPN FC
- Oguchi Onyewu at National-Football-Teams.com
- Oguchi Onyewu at Major League Soccer