Daniel Hernández (soccer)

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Daniel Hernandez
Personal information
Full name Daniel Demetrio Hernandez
Date of birth July 23, 1976 (1976-07-23) (age 31)
Place of birth    Tyler, TX, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position defender
Youth clubs
1994-97 Flag of the United States SMU
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1998-99
1999-00
2000-02
2002-03
2003-05
2005-07
2007
2008-
Flag of the United States Los Angeles Galaxy
Flag of the United States Tampa Bay Mutiny
Flag of the United States MetroStars
Flag of the United States New England Revolution
Flag of Mexico Necaxa
Flag of the United States New England Revolution
Flag of Mexico Puebla FC
Flag of Mexico Jaguares de Chiapas
30 (0)
4 (0)
43 (1)
25 (4)
52 (3)
14 (0)
7 (1)
11 (0)
   

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 18 April 2007.
* Appearances (Goals)

Daniel Demetrio Hernandez (born July 23, 1976 in Tyler, Texas) is an Mexican-American soccer defender, currently playing in Mexico for Jaguares de Chiapas.

[edit] High school and college

Hernandez was a student at John Tyler High School and then played college soccer at Southern Methodist University from 1994 to 1997, where he was a First Team All-American as an attacking midfielder.

[edit] Professional

Upon graduating from SMU, Hernandez was drafted in the second round of the 1998 MLS College Draft by the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. Hernandez saw little playing time in the Galaxy, appearing mostly a substitute, before being traded to the Tampa Bay Mutiny in exchange for Jorge Salcedo. Hernandez hardly played for the Mutiny, appearing in only four games, and was traded the next year to the MetroStars for the rights to Daniel Alvarez.

With the MetroStars, Hernandez finally came into his own, earning a starting position, first in central defense, and then becoming one of the league's most dangerous defensive midfielders. He stayed with the MetroStars from 2000 to 2002, but was a part of a blockbuster trade in the middle of 2002, which sent him along with Brian Kamler and Diego Serna to the New England Revolution for Mamadou Diallo, Andy Williams, and Ted Chronopoulos. Despite being a starter for the Revolution, Hernandez expressed displeasure with his situation, requesting a trade to his home state Dallas Burn. The Burn, however, were unwilling to make such a trade, and upon the emergence of an adequate replacement for him in Shalrie Joseph, Hernandez was transferred to Mexican club Necaxa mid-season 2003. In six seasons in MLS, he totalled four goals and 15 assists in league play.

To the surprise of many, Hernandez, called Demetrio in Mexico, earned a starting position as a central defender on the club. According to Hernandez, his profile in his hometown of Tyler has increased enormously since his arrival in the Primera División. However, in 2005, he came back to MLS, re-signing with New England. In 2007, he was waived by the Revolution.

Hernandez, who also played as a placekicker on SMU's American football team, has often stated his ambition to play in the NFL for his hometown Dallas Cowboys.

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