Francisco Javier Rodríguez

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Personal information
Francisco Rodríguez
Full name	Francisco Javier Rodríguez Pinedo
Date of birth	October 20, 1981 (age 25)
Place of birth	Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Height	191 cm (6' 3")
Nickname	Maza
Playing position	Centre Back
Club information
Current club	Chivas de Guadalajara
Number	3
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2003-	Chivas de Guadalajara	127 (3)
National team²
2004-	Mexico	32 (1)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 7 APril, 2007. ² National team caps and goals correct as of 23 March, 2007. * Appearances (Goals)

Francisco Javier Rodríguez Pinedo (born October 20, 1981 in Mazatlan, Sinaloa) is a Mexican football Defender, currently playing for Chivas de Guadalajara. His nickname is "Maza", because of his hometown of Mazatlan. Currently, Rodríguez is the tallest player for Chivas, standing 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) and weighing 80 kg (170 lb).

[edit] Biography

Maza began his professional career with Chivas de Guadalajara, debuting for the club during the 2002 Apertura tournament.

He was part of the Mexican 2004 Olympic Football Team, that exited in the first round, having finished third in group A, below group winners Mali and South Korea.

On April 2, 2006, he was called up to play for the Mexican National Team by head coach Ricardo Lavolpe. Maza played one game in the 2006 World cup, playing against Portugal.

In the Apertura 2006, he helped to tie the final game, which Chivas won 2-1 against Toluca, and helped Chivas win their 11th championship in the Primera Division de Mexico.

Maza has shown great improvement since his return from the World Cup of 2006. His ball control as well as his decision making has grown to a superb level. Although he still has a lot of work ahead of him to reach the playing level of Mexico's current three starting Defenders (Marquez, Salcido and Osorio), Maza is showing great potential. He has become a vital part of Chivas' defense with his improved skills, as well as a major threat in Set Pieces.

Maza has caught the attention of new Mexican National Team coach Hugo Sanchez, who has called upon Maza's services for his rendition of the National Team.

[edit] External links

Francisco Rodríguez Article (In Spanish)

	Mexico squad - 2006 FIFA World Cup
1 Sánchez \| 2 Suárez \| 3 Salcido \| 4 Márquez \| 5 Osorio \| 6 Torrado \| 7 Naelson \| 8 Pardo \| 9 Borgetti \| 10 Franco \| 11 Morales \| 12 Corona \| 13 Ochoa \| 14 Pineda \| 15 Castro \| 16 Méndez \| 17 Fonseca \| 18 Guardado \| 19 Bravo \| 20 García \| 21 Arellano \| 22 Rodríguez \| 23 Pérez \| Coach: Lavolpe

Chivas de Guadalajara - Current Squad
1 Arias \| 2 Martínez \| 3 Rodríguez \| 4 Reynoso \| 5 Araujo \| 6 Esparza \| 7 Pineda \| 8 Olvera \| 9 Bravo \| 10 Medina \| 11 Morales \| 13 Ávila \| 14 Patlán \| 15 Sol \| 17 Talavera \| 18 Rivera \| 19 Magallón \| 20 Mejia \| 21 Santana \| 23 Michel \| 34 Baez \| 43 López \| 45 Hernández \| 48 Ledesma \| 49 Rivera \| 100 Bautista \| Manager: de la Torre