Hendry Thomas

Hendry Thomas
Personal information
Full nameHendry Bernardo Thomas Suazo[1]
Date of birth23 February 1985
Place of birthLa Ceiba, Honduras
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2][3]
Playing positionDefensive Midfielder
Youth career
Olimpia Reservas
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2001–2009Olimpia143(6)
2009–2012Wigan Athletic55(0)
2012–2013Colorado Rapids35(2)
2014FC Dallas10(0)
National team‡
2007–2008Honduras U237(3)
2005–Honduras52(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 29, 2014.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of October 29, 2014
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Thomas and the second or maternal family name is Suazo.

Hendry Bernardo Thomas Suazo (born 23 February 1985) also known as Buchuca, is a Honduran footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder.

Thomas has been described as displaying a "rugged approach driven by his ample physical gifts and his significant work rate and supplemented with enough technical ability to excel in his preferred holding midfield role."[4]

Club career

Early years

Thomas made his debut with Olimpia on 26 September 2001, against Real Comayagua when he was only 16 years of age. He continued to play for Olimpia of Tegucigalpa in the Liga Nacional de Honduras. He has been a regular member of the Honduras national football team since 2005. Thomas is the cousin of fellow footballers Maynor Suazo, David Suazo and Allan Lalín. He scored Olimpia's 2000th goal in the club's history. During his time at Olimpia, the club went on to win lots of Liga Nacional de Fútbol. Thomas underwent a trial period with French club Toulouse. However, the trial was unsuccessful.

Wigan Athletic

In July 2009, Thomas made his move to Premier League side Wigan Athletic on a three-year deal, subject to being granted a work permit. Interestingly, Wigan also made a failed attempt to sign Thomas in 2008 after work permit issues arose[5] but on 2 July, it was officially announced that he would join Wigan and he was given the shirt number 6.[6] He made his debut against Aston Villa on 15 August 2009, and assisted a goal in a 2–0 victory for Wigan.[7] In his first three matches, he won one 'Man of the Match' (Aston Villa) and one 'Most Impressive Player' (Manchester United) award. Early on in the season, Thomas formed a strong midfield partnership with Mohamed Diamé and was praised by Roberto Martínez. [8] On 16 January 2010, Thomas received a red card for the first time in his Premier League career due to a second bookable offence in a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. In his first season, he made 33 appearances (31 in the Premier League, 1 in League Cup and FA Cup).

In the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, Thomas was a regular member of the team. In the opening weeks of the 2010–11 season, Thomas received praise from his manager Roberto Martinez after a string of all-action displays in central midfield. [9] Towards the end of the 2010–11 season with Wigan facing relegation, Thomas rarely featured, often being on the bench or being left out of the squad due to the return of James McCarthy from injury. On the last day of the season, Wigan would maintain their Premier League place for the next season after beating Stoke City 1-0, thanks to Hugo Rodallega. Despite losing his place in the starting line-up to McCarthy, Thomas still managed to make 30 appearances (24 in the Premier League, 4 in the League Cup and 2 in FA Cup). One month after the season ended, Martinez stated Thomas was still in his plans for the next season.[10]

However in the 2011–12 season, the club went through various tactical changes as well as new signings, and Thomas struggled to even make matchday squads during the first half of the season. Thomas would go on to make only two appearances, both in League Cup and FA Cup. In the January transfer window, Martinez insisted Thomas would not leave the club, maintaining he still had a future at Wigan by hinting at the offer of a new contract.[11]However, at the end of 2011–12 season, Thomas was released by Wigan, along with several other players upon the expiration of their contracts.[12]

Major League Soccer

On 20 August 2012, Thomas signed with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.[13] Shortly after moving to Colorado Rapids, Thomas spoke highly of his move, stating that he's looking forward to the challenge.[14] On 31 August 2012, Thomas made his debut in a 1-0 loss against Portland Timbers.[15] After the game, Thomas stated to the media he was happy with his debut, but the result was disappointing .[16] After a half season, Thomas signed an improved long-term deal with the club.[17] On 30 March 2013, Thomas scored his first goal for the club, from a penalty, in a 2-2 draw against Portland Timbers. After the game, Thomas updated his Facebook profile, dedicating his goal to, "God, because without him, nothing is possible. Family, because they are there through the good and the bad and all my Honduran people that wish me well and always message me with positive vibes.".[18]

International career

Thomas made his debut for Honduras in a February 2005 UNCAF Nations Cup match against Panama and has earned a total of 52 caps, scoring 2 goals. He has represented his country in 15 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and at the 2008 Summer Olympics as well at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[19] He also played at the 2005[20] and 2009 UNCAF Nations Cups[21] as well as at the 2005[22] and 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cups.[23]

His most recent international was a September 2011 friendly match against Colombia.

International goals

Hendry Thomas: International goals
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 March 2008 Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States  Colombia 2 – 1 2–1 Friendly
2 11 October 2008 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras  Canada 3 – 1 3–1 World Cup 2010 Qualifier

Personal

Thomas received his U.S. green card in October 2013, which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[24]

References

  1. ↑ Premier League clubs squad lists
  2. ↑ http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10429~43338,00.html
  3. ↑ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  4. ↑ McCarty, Kyle. "McCarthy's Musings: Colorado gambles wisely on ex-Wigan midfielder Hendry Thomas". Goal.com. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  5. ↑ "Thomas knock back for Latics". Wigan Today. 12 July 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Thomas completes switch to Wigan". BBC News. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  7. ↑ "Aston Villa 0 – 2 Wigan". BBC News. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  8. ↑ "Rob praises midfield duo". Wigan Today. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  9. ↑ "Martinez delight at Thomas form". Sky Sports. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  10. ↑ "Hendry still has big future". Wigan Today. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  11. ↑ "Martinez not doubting Thomas". Wigan Today. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  12. ↑ "Kirk out". Wigan Today. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  13. ↑ "Rapids sign World Cup and EPL veteran Hendry Thomas". Colorado Rapids Site. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  14. ↑ "New Colorado Rapids player Hendry Thomas looks forward to challenge - The Denver Post". The Denver Post. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  15. ↑ "Colorado at Portland, August 31, 2012". Colorado Rapids Site. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  16. ↑ "Thomas happy with debut, not with result". Colorado Rapids Site. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  17. ↑ "Hendry Thomas signs long-term deal with Colorado Rapids in midfield makeover - The Denver Post". Denver Post. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  18. ↑ "Hendry Thomas Scores First MLS Goal". Honduras.com. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  19. ↑ Hendry Thomas – FIFA competition record
  20. ↑ UNCAF Tournament 1997 - RSSSF
  21. ↑ UNCAF (Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup) 2009 - Details - RSSSF
  22. ↑ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2005 - Full Details - RSSSF
  23. ↑ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2011 - Full Details - RSSSF
  24. ↑ http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2013/10/hendry-thomas-retains-hope-playing-honduras-2014-world-cup

External links