Juan Agudelo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Juan Sebastian Agudelo

Personal information
Full name	Juan Sebastian Agudelo
Date of birth	(1992-11-23) November 23, 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth	Manizales, Colombia
Height	6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m)
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	San Antonio FC
Number	17
Youth career
	NJSA 04
2007	PASCO Jr. Stallions
2007–2010	New York Red Bulls
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2010–2012	New York Red Bulls	33	(6)
2012–2013	Chivas USA	26	(5)
2013	New England Revolution	14	(7)
2014	Stoke City	0	(0)
2014	→ FC Utrecht (loan)	14	(3)
2015–2019	New England Revolution	142	(28)
2020	Inter Miami CF	14	(3)
2021	Minnesota United FC	13	(0)
2022–2023	Birmingham Legion	62	(12)
2024–	San Antonio FC	28	(8)
National team‡
2008–2009	United States U17	16	(12)
2010	United States U20	8	(2)
2012	United States U23	2	(2)
2010–2018	United States	28	(3)
Honours Representing  United States Runner-up CONCACAF Gold Cup 2011 Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 2017 Men's Soccer
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 31, 2024. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of January 28, 2018

Juan Sebastián Agudelo (born November 23, 1992) is a professional soccer player. He plays as a striker for San Antonio FC. Juan was born in Colombia, but he played for the United States national team.

He moved from Colombia to New Jersey when he was young. Juan started his career with the New York Red Bulls and played his first Major League Soccer game in October 2010. After scoring six goals in 2011, he moved to Chivas USA in May 2012. Juan played in California for a year before joining the New England Revolution in May 2013. In January 2014, he tried to join the English team Stoke City. However, he could not get a work permit for the UK. So, he was loaned to the Dutch team FC Utrecht.

Juan has also played for the United States youth teams. These include the Under-17, Under-20, and Under-23 teams. He played his first game for the senior national team on November 17, 2010. He scored the only goal in that match against South Africa.

Early Life and Soccer Beginnings

Juan Agudelo moved from Colombia to the New York area with his family when he was seven. He grew up playing soccer in Barnegat Township, New Jersey. Later, he moved to Kinnelon, New Jersey to live with his godmother. For one year in 2007, he went to St. Benedict's Preparatory School.

Club Career Highlights

New York Red Bulls Journey

Agudelo started his career with the New York Red Bull Academy. This academy is part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. He quickly became known as one of the best young players there. In 2009, he had a chance to join the junior team. But he decided to try out for a Colombian team called Millonarios in 2010. Even though some thought he signed with Millonarios, he came back to the United States. He joined the Red Bulls for their pre-season training.

On March 26, 2010, Agudelo officially joined the New York Red Bulls. He played his first professional game on April 27, 2010. This was a U.S. Open Cup match against Philadelphia Union. His first MLS game was on October 9, 2010, against Real Salt Lake. He came into the game in the 85th minute. He scored his first professional goal on March 19, 2011. This goal helped the Red Bulls win their first game of the 2011 MLS season against Seattle Sounders FC. In October 2011, MLS ranked Agudelo as the second-best young player under 24.

In late 2011, Agudelo trained with European clubs. This was suggested by the US National team manager, Jürgen Klinsmann. He spent two weeks training with VfB Stuttgart and then another two weeks with Liverpool.

Time with Chivas USA

Agudelo was traded to Chivas USA on May 17, 2012. In return, the Red Bulls received defender Heath Pearce and some money. Agudelo played for Chivas in 2012. He scored four goals for the team. Chivas USA had a tough season that year, finishing last in their conference. After the 2012 season, Agudelo trained with Scottish club Celtic. He also trained with West Ham United.

Agudelo started the 2013 well. He scored goals against FC Dallas and Chicago Fire. On May 7, 2013, he was traded to the New England Revolution.

Joining New England Revolution

Agudelo joined the New England Revolution on May 7, 2013. He played his first game for New England in a 2–0 win against Houston Dynamo. He helped create the second goal in that match. He then scored goals against Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. After this, he was out for a month because of a knee injury.

In August 2013, English team Stoke City became interested in him. Agudelo came back from his injury on August 17. He scored an amazing back-heel goal against Chicago Fire in a 2–0 win. This goal was a finalist for MLS Goal of the Year. MLS ranked Agudelo as the sixth-best young player under 24 for the 2013 season.

Stoke City and Loan to FC Utrecht

On August 9, 2013, it was announced that Agudelo had signed a deal with English club Stoke City. He was set to join them on January 1, 2014, after his contract with the New England Revolution ended. However, the move didn't happen because he was not given a work permit. Even so, Stoke officially signed Agudelo on January 21, 2014. They loaned him to Dutch team FC Utrecht for the rest of the 2013–14 season. He scored his first goal for Utrecht on February 6, 2014, in a 2–1 loss to PEC Zwolle.

Stoke tried again to get a work permit for Agudelo in May 2014, but they were not successful. After this, Juan decided to return to the United States. He felt most comfortable and at home playing for the USMNT and the New England Revolution.

Return to New England Revolution

On January 30, 2015, Agudelo signed again with the New England Revolution. He shared his excitement on social media, saying he was happy to be back with his teammates and coaches. In the 2015 MLS Cup playoffs, he scored a "stunning" bicycle kick goal against D.C. United. This goal gave the Revolution a 1-0 lead. In October 2015, MLS listed Agudelo as the 13th best young player under 24.

In the 2016 season, Agudelo was the top scorer for the Revolution. He scored seven goals and made five assists. He was ranked as the 17th best young player on MLS's 2016 "24 under 24" list. He scored a career-high eight goals in the 2017 season. He was also named MLS Player of the Week after scoring two goals against Minnesota United FC.

On December 3, 2019, Toronto FC chose Agudelo in a draft. However, they could not agree on a contract.

Inter Miami CF Experience

Agudelo then joined Inter Miami CF. He played in Miami's very first game on March 1, 2020. This game was a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC. He scored his first goal for Miami on July 8 in the MLS is Back Tournament. This was in a 2-1 loss to Orlando City SC. He scored two more goals and played in 14 games for the club in their first season. After the 2020 season, Miami decided not to keep him.

Minnesota United FC and Birmingham Legion FC

On March 2, 2021, Agudelo signed with Minnesota United FC. He played 13 games for them. On March 31, 2022, Agudelo signed with Birmingham Legion. This is a team in the second-tier USL Championship. He joined his former coaches, Tom Soehn and Jay Heaps, there. In his first season in Birmingham, Agudelo scored seven goals and made five assists. The club re-signed him for the 2023 season. He was named the best lower division player in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup. He scored three goals and made a game-winning assist. The Legion reached the quarterfinals of the tournament.

San Antonio FC Today

Agudelo moved to San Antonio FC in the USL Championship on December 21, 2023. He joined them for their 2024 season.

International Career for the United States

Agudelo played for the United States at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. In 2010, he also played for the United States Under-20 team. On January 23, 2010, he scored a goal that tied the game for the Under-20 team in a 1–1 draw with Brazil.

On November 11, 2010, Agudelo was called up to the United States senior national team for the first time. This was for a match against South Africa on November 17. He made his debut in that game, wearing the number 17 shirt. Agudelo scored the only goal of the game with a volley. This made him the youngest player in the national team's history to score in a senior game. On January 22, 2011, Agudelo helped the U.S. get a penalty kick. This led to their only goal in a 1–1 draw against Chile. In a friendly game on March 26, 2011, he scored a goal that tied the game against Argentina.

Playing Style

Juan Agudelo is known for his very precise dribbling and excellent ball control. Because of this, he often gets fouled by opponents. This helps his team win free-kicks.

Personal Life

Juan Agudelo is married to Vanessa Agudelo. They have been together for 12 years. They have two daughters named Alina and Bella. Juan is a devoted Christian, and his faith is very important to him. It helps guide him in his life as a husband, father, and soccer player.

Career Statistics

Club

International

International Goals

Score and result list United States goal tally first.

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1.	November 17, 2010	Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa	South Africa	1–0	1–0	Friendly
2.	March 27, 2011	New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, United States	Argentina	1–1	1–1
3.	April 16, 2015	Alamodome, San Antonio, United States	Mexico	2–0	2–0

Honors

United States

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2017; runner-up 2011

See also

In Spanish: Juan Agudelo para niños