Alex Bunbury facts for kids
Bunbury in 2018
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alexander Bunbury | ||
| Date of birth | 18 June 1967 | ||
| Place of birth | Plaisance, Guyana | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1987–1990 | Hamilton Steelers | 71 | (27) |
| 1990 | Toronto Blizzard | 6 | (1) |
| 1991 | Montreal Supra | 24 | (7) |
| 1992–1993 | West Ham United | 4 | (0) |
| 1993–1999 | Marítimo | 165 | (59) |
| 1999–2000 | Kansas City Wizards | 24 | (4) |
| Total | 269 | (110) | |
| International career | |||
| 1984–1985 | Canada U20 | 9 | (3) |
| 1986–1997 | Canada | 66 | (15) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2000–2008 | Bangu Tsunami FC | ||
| 2008–2012 | Minnesota Thunder (academy) | ||
| 2014–2015 | Minnesota Twin Stars | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Alexander Bunbury (born on June 18, 1967) is a Canadian former professional soccer player. He was a striker, which means he played in an attacking position to score goals.
During his 13-year career, he played for famous clubs like West Ham United in England, Marítimo in Portugal, and the Kansas City Wizards in the USA. He also proudly played for the Canadian national team. Alex Bunbury was recognized for his amazing career when he was added to the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in April 2006.
After he stopped playing, Bunbury became a coach. More recently, in April 2024, he led a group of investors to buy a soccer club called C.D. Portosantense. He became the new President of the club, owning 90% of it.
Contents
Alex Bunbury's Club Career Highlights
Alex Bunbury was born in Plaisance, Guyana. He started his professional soccer journey with the Hamilton Steelers in Canada. He also played for the Toronto Blizzard and Montreal Supra in the Canadian Soccer League.
Playing in Europe: West Ham and Marítimo
In 1993, Alex Bunbury moved to England to play for West Ham United. After a short time there, he moved to Portugal to join C.S. Marítimo. This was a big move for him!
At Marítimo, he became a legend. He scored 59 goals, making him the club's all-time top goalscorer in the Primeira Liga, which is Portugal's top soccer league. In his second season (1994–95), he even won the "Foreign Player of the Year" award. In his last year with the team (1998–99), he scored 15 goals, which was his best season for scoring.
Returning to North America and Coaching
In early 1999, Alex Bunbury wanted to be closer to his hometown of Montreal. So, he moved back to North America and played for the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer (MLS). He played for two seasons before retiring from playing soccer.
After retiring, he started coaching youth soccer teams in Minnesota. He coached for Bangu Tsunami FC and later for the Minnesota Thunder Academy.
Honors and Recognition
Alex Bunbury's great career was honored in April 2006 when he was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame. In 2012, the Canadian Soccer Association celebrated its 100th birthday. As part of this celebration, Alex Bunbury was named to the all-time Canada XI men's team, which means he was chosen as one of the best Canadian players ever!
Alex Bunbury's International Career
Alex Bunbury also played for Canada on the international stage. He played in all three of Canada's games at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Soviet Union.
Playing for the Canadian National Team
He made his first appearance for the senior national team in August 1986. Over 11 years, he played in 65 games for Canada and scored 15 goals. These games are called "caps."
By June 2008, Alex Bunbury was ranked fourth in Canada's all-time top goalscorers list and eighth in the number of appearances. He played in 30 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, trying to help Canada reach the World Cup. He also played in the very first 1989 FIFA Futsal World Championship.
His last game for the national team was in November 1997. It was a World Cup qualification match against Costa Rica.
International Goals Scored
Here are the goals Alex Bunbury scored for the Canadian national team:
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 September 1986 | Singapore, Singapore |  Singapore |
1–0 | 1–0 | Merlion Cup |
| 2 | 30 September 1987 | Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador |  El Salvador |
1-0 | 1–2 | Friendly |
| 3 | 15 November 1992 | Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, Canada |  Bermuda |
1–0 | 4–2 | 1994 World Cup qualification |
| 4 | 15 November 1992 | Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, Canada | Bermuda |
2–0 | 4–2 | 1994 World Cup qualification |
| 5 | 15 November 1992 | Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, Canada | Bermuda |
3–0 | 4–2 | 1994 World Cup qualification |
| 6 | 4 April 1993 | Estadio Nacional, Tegucigalpa, Honduras |  Honduras |
2–1 | 2–2 | 1994 World Cup qualification |
| 7 | 11 April 1993 | Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, Canada | El Salvador |
1–0 | 2–0 | 1994 World Cup qualification |
| 8 | 9 May 1993 | Varsity Stadium, Toronto, Canada |  Mexico |
1–0 | 1–2 | 1994 World Cup qualification |
| 9 | 15 July 1993 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico |  Martinique |
2–0 | 2–2 | 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup |
| 10 | 26 January 1995 | SkyDome, Toronto, Canada |  Portugal |
1–1 | 1–1 | SkyDome Cup |
| 11 | 10 October 1996 | Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada |  Cuba |
1–0 | 2–0 | 1998 World Cup qualification |
| 12 | 3 November 1996 | Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, Canada | El Salvador |
1–0 | 1–0 | 1998 World Cup qualification |
| 13 | 15 December 1996 | Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador | El Salvador |
2–0 | 2–0 | 1998 World Cup qualification |
| 14 | 14 September 1997 | Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador | El Salvador |
1–1 | 1–4 | 1998 World Cup qualification |
| 15 | 12 October 1997 | Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada | Mexico |
1–2 | 2–2 | 1998 World Cup qualification |
Alex Bunbury's Life After Soccer
After retiring from playing, Alex Bunbury made Prior Lake, Minnesota, his home. There, he worked as a youth soccer coach and trainer, helping young players improve their skills.
He has four children. Three of his children with his ex-wife, Kristi Novak-Bunbury, are:
- Kylie Bunbury, who is an actress.
- Teal Bunbury, who is also a professional soccer player.
- Logan.
He also has a child named Mataeo Bunbury with Andrea Hutton Pridgen.
In 2018, Alex Bunbury led a group of investors to buy a Portuguese soccer club called S.U. 1º Dezembro. In 2023, he talked with his former club, Marítimo, about investing in their team. Then, in 2024, he led another investment group to buy C.D. Portosantense. He became the President of this club and owns 90% of it. He has big plans for the club, hoping to build a new stadium and help the team reach the second division within five years.
Awards and Achievements
Alex Bunbury won several awards and honors during his soccer career:
With Marítimo
- Taça de Portugal: He was a runner-up in the 1994–95 season.
With Kansas City Wizards
- MLS Cup: He won the championship in 2000.
- MLS Supporters' Shield: His team also won this award in 2000 for having the best regular season record.
Individual Awards
- Canadian International Player of the Year: He won this award twice, in 1993 and 1995.
- Primeira Liga: He was named the Foreign Player of the Year for the 1994–95 season.
See also
In Spanish: Alex Bunbury para niños
