Julian de Guzman

Julian de Guzman
Personal information
Full name Julien Bobby de Guzman
Date of birth March 25, 1981 (1981-03-25) (age 30)
Place of birth Toronto, Canada
Height 5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Toronto FC
Number 6
Youth career
1994–1997 North Scarborough SC
1997–2000 Marseille
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2000–2002 FC Saarbrücken 51 (5)
2002–2005 Hannover 96 78 (2)
2005–2009 Deportivo La Coruña 97 (1)
2009– Toronto FC 49 (2)
National team‡
1999–2001 Canada U20 13 (4)
2002– Canada 52 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 22, 2011.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of November 11, 2011

Julian de Guzman (born March 25, 1981 in Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.

Previously, he played for Deportivo de La Coruña, and was the first Canadian to play in the Spanish La Liga. His younger brother Jonathan de Guzmán currently plays in La Liga as well. While playing in Spain Julian was voted 2007–2008 Deportivo Player of the year.

De Guzman has played at both the Canadian U-20 and Senior level, he was awarded the Canadian Player of the Year in 2008 and in 2007 became only the second Canadian international to be awarded the CONCACAF Gold Cup Most Valuable Player, the other was Craig Forrest.

Contents

Club career

Europe

De Guzman was discovered by representatives of Olympique Marseille while playing for the North Scarborough youth soccer club in Toronto.[1] After playing with Marseille's reserve side, de Guzman became a first-team regular with 1. FC Saarbrücken in the German Second Bundesliga in the 2001–02 season. In 21 appearances he never scored.[2]

In 2002, he joined newly promoted Hannover 96, becoming only the third Canadian to play in the German First Bundesliga. He played three seasons for Hannover and in 78 appearances he scored twice.[3]

De Guzman's contract with Hannover expired in 2005 allowing his to move to any team with no transfer fee, he was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham where he would have joined Canadian captain Paul Stalteri. He decided against the move to London due to the depth in the centre of mid-field he chose to join Deportivo La Coruña in Spain becoming the first Canadian to play in La Liga.[4] After playing a starring role in the club's remarkable turnaround in the 2007–2008 season to avoid relegation and gain a spot in the UEFA Cup, de Guzman was named the team's player of the season. In 95 appearances he scored one goal. His only goal with Deportivo came in 2005 against the Spanish giants Real Madrid. His contract with Deportivo expired in the summer of 2009.

Toronto FC

In September 2009 an agreement was reached with Toronto FC for De Guzman to sign as a designated player, becoming the first ever Canadian Designated Player in league history, his contract is worth $1,910,746 annually. The Canadian midfielder signed a three-year deal to play in MLS.[5] De Guzman made his debut for the club in an away game against the Los Angeles Galaxy on September 19, 2009. Julian was able to convince former Deportivo teammate and friend Mista to join Toronto in July 2010. Julian was heavily criticized for his inconsistent performances as a designated player in the 2010 season making 36 appearances in all competitions. Much doubt was left over the future of Julian and Toronto on November 23 when the club failed to protect him for the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft, meaning Vancouver Whitecaps FC or Portland Timbers could select him if they were willing to take on a Designated Players Salary.[6] However he was untouched going through the sixth round when Vancouver selected O'Brian White which allowed Toronto to protect one player for the remaining four rounds in which they protected Julian.[7] On January 5, 2011 de Guzman revealed that will be undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus which may have plagued his performance for the last half of the season. It's expected he will return to full fitness by mid training camp.[8]

In January 2011, Toronto hired Aron Winter as the head coach of the club to bring in a new style of possession soccer, many pundits believe that this new style will benefit Julian's abilities and will allow him to succeed within the MLS.[9] Ten days before the new season kicked off it was revealed that De Guzman would miss this first game against Vancouver and potentially a few more, this was due to Winter not wanting to aggravate the recent successful surgery. Winter also revealed that De Guzman is one of the key figures for his new total football system, which it will benefit de Guzman's talents much more than previous tactics used at the Canadian club.[10] De Guzman made his much anticipated return from injury on April 2, 2011 versus Chivas USA as a second half sub for Jacob Peterson, the game ended in a 1–1 home draw.[11] De Guzman scored his first goal for Toronto in a 3–3 away draw against DC United on August 6th.[12] Twelve days later in the CONCACAF Champions League Group stage Toronto took on Tauro F.C. when Julian scored his second goal of the season in the 24th minute, the game ended as a 2–1 away win for Toronto.[13] With the summer additions of designated players Danny Koevermans and Torsten Frings, the quality of Toronto's talent drastically increased and allowed Julian to succeed in the league for the first time, having his best season since joining the club.[14] However, with the arrival of Frings the club allowed Julian to look for another European club during the remainder of the summer transfer window [15] De Guzman was once again left unprotected in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft for strategic reasons with Toronto management believing that Montreal Impact would not select him due to his large contract, he was not picked for the second year in a row.[16][17]

International career

De Guzman played at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina, alongside Atiba Hutchinson and Mike Klukowski among others.

He made his senior debut for Canada in a January 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Martinique. By December 2009, he earned a total of 42 caps, scoring 4 goals.[18] He has represented Canada in 11 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.[19]

In Canada's opening match of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Julian scored twice to help defeat Costa Rica 2–1. After the conclusion of the competition, de Guzman was named tournament MVP.[20]

De Guzman was also chosen in the 23-man roster for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Canada won group A with 7 points before being knocked out by Honduras in the quarter finals. He was later chosen in the all-tournament team along with fellow Canadian Michael Klukowski, this was the second time in a row he has been selected for this competition.

On June 1, 2011 in a friendly against Ecuador in the last minutes of play Canada was down 2–1 when Julian played a clever yet controversial quick free kick just outside the 18 yard box to Tosaint Ricketts who put in the net for his first ever international goal leading the Canadian team to a well earned draw.[21] De Guzman earned his fiftieth cap for Canada's senior mens team on October 7, 2011 in a dominating 7-0 victory over Saint Lucia in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Beausejour Stadium.[22]

International goals

Updated to games played September 7, 2010.

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. June 6, 2007 Miami, USA  Costa Rica 1–1 2–1 CONCACAF Gold Cup 2007
2. June 6, 2007 Miami, USA  Costa Rica 2–1 2–1 CONCACAF Gold Cup 2007
3. May 31, 2008 Seattle, USA  Brazil 2–2 2–3 Friendly
4. August 20, 2008 Toronto, CAN  Jamaica 1–0 1–1 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification

Personal life

His younger brother Jonathan de Guzman also plays professional football, for Spanish club Villarreal.[23] Changes to FIFA regulations regarding switching nations now mean that Jonathan de Guzman is again eligible for selection by the Netherlands, Jamaican, Philippine and the Canadian national team, having yet to receive a senior call up from the Netherlands.[24] In late November 2011 Julian was being interviewed by The Score's James Sharman and was asked about his brother Jonathan's possible return to joining the Canadian National team, Julian responded by saying that recently he has shown interest in playing for his birth nation and hopes to be able to regain his passport, also he is trying to convince Junior Hoilett to join. The interview immediately gave a great deal of hope to national team supporter and the dream of qualifying for 2014 FIFA World Cup.[25]

Honours

Club

1. FC Saarbrücken

Deportivo de La Coruña

Toronto FC

Individual

Country

Canada

Career statistics

Club Statistics

As of 18 October 2011 (2011 -10-18)

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Club League Season Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Germany League DFB-Pokal DFB-Ligapokal Europe Total
1. FC Saarbrücken 2. Bundesliga 2000–01 2 0 0 0 - - 2 0
2001–02 19 0 1 0 - - 19 0
Hannover 96 Bundesliga 2002–03 18 0 2 0 - - 20 2
2003–04 30 2 2 0 - - 30 0
2004–05 30 0 2 0 - - 30 0
Spain League Copa del Rey - Europe Total
Deportivo La Coruña La Liga 2005–06 22 1 - 4 0 26 1
2006–07 20 0 1 0 - 21 0
2007–08 35 0 - 35 0
2008–09 20 0 2 0 5 0 27 0
Canada League Canadian Championship MLS Playoffs North America Total
Toronto FC MLS 2009 5 0 0 0 - 0 0 5 0
2010 25 0 3 0 - 8 0 36 0
2011 19 2 3 0 - 8 1 30 3
Club totals 1. FC Saarbrücken 21 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 22 0
Hannover 96 78 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 84 2
Deportivo La Coruña 97 1 3 0 - 9 0 109 1
Toronto FC 49 2 6 0 0 0 15 1 70 3
Career totals Germany 99 2 7 0 0 0 0 0 106 2
Spain 97 1 3 0 - 9 0 109 1
Canada 49 5 6 0 0 0 15 1 70 3
Career statistics 245 8 16 0 0 0 24 1 285 9

International

Canada national team
Year Apps Goals
2002 4 0
2003 2 0
2004 7 0
2005 2 0
2006 3 0
2007 10 2
2008 7 2
2009 7 0
2010 2 0
2011 8 0
Total 52 4

Statistics as of November 11, 2011

See also

References

  1. ^ "Community". North Scarborough (Toronto). December 1, 2011. http://www.northscarboroughsoccer.com/community.php. Retrieved December 1, 2011. 
  2. ^ "Play Bio". Julain De Guzman Bio (Toronto). December 1, 2011. http://www.juliandeguzman.info/about/. Retrieved December 1, 2011. 
  3. ^ "Play Bio". Julain De Guzman Bio (Toronto). December 1, 2011. http://www.juliandeguzman.info/about/. Retrieved December 1, 2011. 
  4. ^ "Julian de Guzman joins Deportivo". Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto). June 14, 2011. http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article.jsp...614_152356_2768. Retrieved December 7, 2011. 
  5. ^ Mallet, Peter (September 9, 2009). "Toronto FC lands De Guzman". The Globe and Mail (Toronto). http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/tfc-to-repatriate-de-guzman/article1280153/. Retrieved September 9, 2009. 
  6. ^ Wileman, Luke (November 23, 2010). "Red Reveal Unprotected Players". Toronto FC (Toronto). http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/11/reds-reveal-unprotected-players. Retrieved November 24, 2010. 
  7. ^ 2010 "Expansion Draft: pick by pick". Major League Soccer. November 26, 2010. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2010-expansion-draft-pick-pick 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2011. 
  8. ^ Mallett, Peter (January 5, 2011). "De Guzman sidelined with knee injury". The Globe and Mail (Toronto). http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/de-guzman-sidelined-with-knee-injury/article1859411/?cmpid=rss1. Retrieved January 15, 2011. 
  9. ^ Bottjer, Steve (January 11, 2011). "De Guzman's Opportunity for Renewal". Red Nation (Toronto). http://www.rednationonline.ca/De_Guzmans_Opportunity_for_Renewal_january_11_11_article.shtml. Retrieved January 15, 2011. 
  10. ^ "JDG To Play A key Role injury". March 8, 2011. http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/03/jdg-play-key-role. Retrieved March 8, 2011. 
  11. ^ "Gordon Goal Gifts Reds a Draw". Toronto FC. April 2, 2011. http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/04/gordon-goal-gifts-reds-draw. Retrieved April 2, 2011. 
  12. ^ "D.C.'s De Rosario gets hatrick in draw with Toronto FC". National Post. August 6, 2011. http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/08/06/d-c-s-de-rosario-gets-hat-trick-in-draw-with-toronto-fc/. Retrieved August 6, 2011. 
  13. ^ "Toronto Taxed In Tauro Win". Toronto FC. 18 August 2011. http://www.torontofc.ca/content/toronto-taxed-tauro-win. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  14. ^ "De Guzman: Culture change key to TFC turnaround". Red Nation. 22 November 2011. http://www.rednationonline.ca/DeGuzmanCultureChangeKeyToTFCTurnaround.aspx. Retrieved 5 December 2011. 
  15. ^ . http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?2002-Chances-of-de-Guzman-staying-improving. 
  16. ^ "Reds (Probably) Shouldn't Worry JDG". Toronto FC. 22 November 2011. http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/11/reds-probably-shouldnt-worry-about-jdg. Retrieved 5 December 2011. 
  17. ^ "Expansion Draft: Reds Retain Players". Toronto FC. 23 November 2011. http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/11/expansion-draft-reds-retain-players. Retrieved 5 December 2011. 
  18. ^ "Appearances for Canada National Team". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/can-recintlp.html. Retrieved April 15, 2011. 
  19. ^ Julian de Guzman – FIFA competition record
  20. ^ "De Guzman claims MVP honours". Globe and Mail. http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070625.wsptgold25/GSStory/GlobeSportsSoccer/home. Retrieved June 25, 2007. 
  21. ^ "Canada draw Ecuador". Sportsnet.ca (Rogers Sportsnet). 1 June 2011. http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2011/06/01/canada_ecuador/. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  22. ^ "De Guzman at fifty caps and counting". rednation.ca (Red Nation). 11 October 2011. http://www.rednationonline.ca/DeGuzmanatFiftyCapsandCounting.aspx. Retrieved 7 December 2011. 
  23. ^ Goal.com (USA). 31 August 2011. http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2011/08/31/2645090/official-villarreal-sign-mallorcas-jonathan-de-guzman. Retrieved 31 August 2011. 
  24. ^ "FIFA removes age limit on players switching nations". Reuters. June 3, 2009. http://football.uk.reuters.com/world/news/L3177353.php. Retrieved October 5, 2009. 
  25. ^ "De Guzman: Little brother, Hoilett considering Canada". mlssoccer.com (Major League Soccer). 30 November 2011. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/30/de-guzman-little-brother-hoilett-considering-canada. Retrieved 1 December 2011. 

External links
Toronto FC – current squad
  • Head Coach/Technical Director: Winter
  • Assistant Coach: de Klerk
  • Assistant Coach: Bent
  • Goalkeeper Coach: Kerr
  • Director of Player Development: Mariner