Carlos Gerardo Hernández Valverde (born 9 April 1982), known simply as Carlos Hernández, is a former Costa Rican football player who last played as an attacking midfielder.[3]
 Hernández with Dempo in 2015 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Carlos Gerardo Hernández Valverde[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 9 April 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | San José, Costa Rica | ||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Alajuelense | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001–2009 | Alajuelense | 82 | (19) |
| 2007–2009 | → Melbourne Victory (loan) | 41 | (8) |
| 2009–2012 | Melbourne Victory | 80 | (28) |
| 2011 | → Limón (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | Prayag United | 16 | (4) |
| 2013–2014 | Wellington Phoenix | 21 | (7) |
| 2014–2015 | Cartaginés | 11 | (3) |
| 2015 | Dempo | 10 | (2) |
| 2015 | Municipal | 15 | (3) |
| 2016–2017 | Carmelita | 50 | (7) |
| 2017 | Pérez Zeledón | 2 | (0) |
| 2017 | Liberia | 13 | (2) |
| 2018–2019 | Puntarenas | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2001 | Costa Rica U-20 | 4 | (2) |
| 2004 | Costa Rica U-23 | 11 | (6) |
| 2004–2014 | Costa Rica | 40 | (7) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 September 2017 | |||
Club career
editHernández had become one of the most important players in the Primera División de Costa Rica, the Costa Rican top tier national league, where he was the top assister in the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons. He had built a reputation as a great scorer from long and middle distances, combined with high level vision and technique that made him one of the most dangerous midfielders in the region.[citation needed]
However, Hernández struggled with injury in the 2006–07 season which also resulted in weight gain. In a bid to regain his former self, he was loaned out to A-League club Melbourne Victory.[4]
Melbourne Victory
edit
On 12 June 2007, it was confirmed by Melbourne Victory that Hernandez had signed for the Australian Club on a two-year loan from LD Alajuelense. He made his first appearance for the club in their 1–0 A-League Pre-Season Cup loss to the Newcastle Jets, coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute. In the next game, on 28 July 2007, he got his first start against Perth Glory, scoring his first goal for the Victory.
Early on during his first season with Melbourne, he was criticised by a portion of the Melbourne supporters and was said to be 'overweight'. Hernández scored his first league goal for Melbourne Victory against Perth Glory at Docklands Stadium on 21 October 2007, helping Melbourne to a 2–1 win at home.[5]
Towards the end of the season, Hernández' fitness improved and he struck form, becoming a regular goal scorer and assister. One of Hernández' most famous games for the Victory was when he scored Melbourne's only goal against Juventus in a friendly at the Docklands Stadium in May 2008. The goal was a cracking curling effort from just outside the box leaving Juventus goalkeeper Jess Vanstrattan with no chance. He scored the opening goal in Melbourne's 5–0 thrashing of reigning A-League champions Newcastle Jets in Round 3 of the 2008–09 season at the Docklands Stadium.[6] His 6th goal for the club came against the Central Coast Mariners in Round 20,[7] a cracking free kick that went through the wall and through the legs of keeper Danny Vukovic. He won widespread acclaim for his performance in Melbourne's 4–0 A-League semi-final second leg win over Adelaide United, in which he scored one goal and assisted for the other three.[8]
On 1 April 2009, Hernández claimed on Costa Rican television that the Victory had bought him from LD Alajuelense and he had signed a three-year deal. It was reported that he would go on loan to MLS club Los Angeles Galaxy until the start of the A-League season in August.[9] The Galaxy has since denied any interest in Hernandez.[10]
On 17 April 2009, the Costa Rican newspaper La Nación reported that Melbourne Victory and LD Alajuelense had finally come to an agreement regarding the sale of the player for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of $450,000[11] and his signing was officially announced by the club on 14 May.[12]
On 26 September 2009, Hernández scored a goal helping his side win against Gold Coast United 3–2. The 35-yard hit again left Jess Vanstrattan with little chance as it tore into the top left corner.[13] On 15 February 2010, Hernandez won the Johnny Warren Medal for best player in the A-League for season 2009–10, awarded at The Ivy in Sydney.[14][15] On 16 May 2012 it was announced he had parted company with Melbourne Victory.[16]
Prayag United
editOn 27 June it was announced that Hernández has signed a one-year deal with I-League club Prayag United making it one of the biggest transfers in Indian football. At his official media presentation he said "I am really happy to be associated with Prayag United Sports Club. I am looking forward to this new opportunity and challenges. It has indeed been a big decision to move to India, but I feel that there is this huge zest and enthusiasm for football here. I am excited to be part of this excellent team, and hope to contribute to the success of the team in the coming season"[17] On 12 October, in the 2nd match of the I-League, he had assisted Kiwi striker Kayne Vincent to take a decisive 2–1 lead against city rivals Mohun Bagan at the stroke of half-time, after defender Sukhen Dey had equalised on the 27th minute. Hernández has stated that he wants to return to the A-League after his contract in India expires.[18] On 4 January 2013 against Dempo at the municipal stadium at Kalyani, he scored from an inswinging direct free kick on 87th minute to ensure a 1–0 win over the defending champions.
Wellington Phoenix
editIn February 2013, Hernández was signed by New Zealand A-League club Wellington Phoenix on a two-year contract. He joined the Phoenix in June, as soon as his contract with Prayag United expired.[19][20]
In the 2013–14 season, Hernández scored 7 goals in 21 appearances, the same number as fellow Phoenix and Costa Rica teammate Kenny Cunningham.
Due to his family finding it difficult to settle in Wellington, Hernández was released from Wellington Phoenix by mutual consent.[21]
Cartaginés
editIn June 2014, Hernández was signed by Cartaginés on a one-year contract.[22]
Dempo
editHernández will be representing Dempo of the Indian I-League for the 2014–15 season as their Marquee Player.[23]
International career
editHe has been an important player for the Costa Rica national football team at numerous levels, playing in the under-20 Football World Youth Championship held in Argentina, as well as representing the country with the U-23 team at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He has also been capped for the senior national team on 40 occasions, playing for the team during the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and scoring some important goals. The playmaker was then part of the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad in Germany but managed only two substitute appearances in the group games against Ecuador & Poland. He scored a cracker in his last international against France national football team, drilling a shot from 25 metres out into the left hand side of the net.
International goals
edit- Scores and results list. Costa Rica's goal tally first.
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 September 2004 | FIU Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, USA |  Guatemala |
1 – 0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 2 | 19 November 2004 | Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Alajuela, Costa Rica |  Canada |
2 – 1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 3 | 12 June 2005 | Estadio Pedro Marrero, Havana, Cuba | Guatemala |
1 – 2 | 2–2 | World Cup qualifier |
| 4 | 4 September 2005 | Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City |  United States |
0 – 1 | 1–3 | World Cup qualifier |
| 5 | 7 September 2005 | Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, San José, Costa Rica | United States |
1 – 0 | 2–0 | World Cup qualifier |
| 6 | 9 November 2006 | Stade d'Honneur de Dillon, Fort-de-France, Martinique |  Iran |
0 – 1 | 3–2 | Friendly |
| 7 | 26 March 2010 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, USA |  France |
1 – 0 | 1–2 | Friendly |
Career statistics
editCorrect as of 24 April 2015
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| L.D. Alajuelense | 2001–02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 8 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002–03 | 10 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2003–04 | 16 | 4 | 5 | - | - | - | 6 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 4 | 8 | |
| 2004–05 | 24 | 3 | 12 | - | - | - | 8 | 4 | 2 | 31 | 7 | 14 | |
| 2005–06 | 20 | 6 | 11 | - | - | - | 7 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 7 | 13 | |
| 2006–07 | 12 | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 4 | 2 | |
| Total | 82 | 19 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 7 | 7 | 117 | 26 | 38 | |
| Melbourne Victory | 2007–08 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 7 | 3 |
| 2008–09 | 21 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | 25 | 5 | 7 | |
| 2009–10 | 28 | 13 | 9 | - | - | - | 6 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 13 | 11 | |
| 2010–11 | 30 | 5 | 7 | - | - | - | 4 | 1 | 2 | 34 | 6 | 9 | |
| 2011–12 | 21 | 10 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 21 | 9 | 2 | |
| Total | 120 | 35 | 27 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 138 | 40 | 32 | |
| Prayag United | 2012–13 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 4 | 4 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2013–14 | 20 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 7 | 10 |
| Cartaginés | 2014–15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dempo | 2014–15 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | 244 | 67 | 72 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 46 | 9 | 11 | 301 | 79 | 84 | |
Honours
editAlajuelense
- Costa Rican Championship: 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05
- CONCACAF Champions' Cup: 2004
- Copa Interclubes UNCAF: 2002, 2005
Melbourne Victory
Prayag United
Individual:
- Johnny Warren Medal: 2009–2010 with Melbourne Victory
- Melbourne Victory Player's Player of the Year: 2009–2010
References
edit- ^ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Costa Rica" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
- ^ "Carlos Hernandez". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ Carlos Hernández jugará en Segunda División con Puntarenas FC Archived 15 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine‚ amprensa.com, 15 December 2017
- ^ Carlos Hernández está a un ‘sí’ del Melbourne Victory Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine - Nación (in Spanish)
- ^ "Hernandez leads Victory to huge win". a-league.com.au (A-League). 21 October 2007. Archived from the original on 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Victory run riot". a-league.com.au (A-League). 29 August 2008. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007.
- ^ "Victory too good for Mariners". a-league.com.au (A-League). 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007.
- ^ "Hernandez leads Victory to huge win". a-league.com.au (A-League). 14 February 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2011.
- ^ "Hernandez on Costa Rican television" (in Spanish). 1 April 2009. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012.
- ^ Davis, Steve (3 April 2009). "Five-a-side: What's hot around the league". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on 7 April 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
- ^ "Victory Liga confirma venta de Hernández al Victory" (in Spanish). 17 April 2009. Archived from the original on 20 April 2009.
- ^ "Carlos signs for three". 14 May 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
- ^ "Goal vs. Gold Coast, round 8, 2009/10". YouTube. 27 September 2009. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Hernández wins Johnny Warren Medal". ABC News. 15 February 2009. Archived from the original on 31 January 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ "Johnny Warren Medal To Carlos". FourFourTwo. 15 February 2009. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ "Latest Football Australia News". Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
- ^ "Carlos Hernandez pens a one year deal with Prayag United - Goal.com". Archived from the original on 30 June 2012.
- ^ Carlos Hernanzez Wants Back In To The A League After Stint In India The Daily Herald [dead link]
- ^ "Wellington Phoenix sign ex-Melbourne Victory star Carlos Hernandez | News.com.au". Archived from the original on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
- ^ "Phoenix sign former A-League MVP Hernandez". 15 February 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ "Phoenix and Hernandez Part Company". Football Federation Australia. 13 May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
- ^ Carlos Hernández jugará con Cartaginés por dos torneos cortos Archived 19 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine - Nación (in Spanish)
- ^ "Dempo signs Hernandez for next season | Football News - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
External links
edit- Carlos Hernández at National-Football-Teams.com
- Melbourne Victory profile Archived 14 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- Carlos Hernández – FIFA competition record (archived)
- 2007/2008 season highlights on YouTube
- Carlos Hernández at Soccerway