Juan Carlos Toja

Football player infobox
playername = Juan Toja


fullname = Juan Carlos Toja Vega
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|05|24
cityofbirth = Bogotá
countryofbirth = Colombia
height = height|m=1.85
currentclub = Steaua Bucureşti
clubnumber = 14
position = Midfielder
youthyears = 1995-2003
youthclubs = Independiente Santa Fe
years = 2003-2005
2005-2006 2007
2007-2008
2008-
clubs = Independiente Santa Fe
→ River Plate (loan) → FC Dallas (loan)
FC Dallas
Steaua Bucureşti
caps(goals) =025 00(3)
003 00(1) 029 00(6) 016 00(2)
006 00(0)
nationalyears = 2004-2005
nationalteam = Colombia U20
nationalcaps(goals) = 015 00(3)
pcupdate = 04 October, 2008
ntupdate = 14 July 2007

Juan Carlos Toja Vega (born May 24, 1985 in Bogotá, Colombia) is a Colombian football player who plays for Steaua Bucureşti.

Career

Colombia

*Toja started his soccer career in Colombian tournament Interclubes (played amongst select country clubs) in the Clan MacGregor team, playing alongside retired professional player Lucas Jaramillo. Joined Colombian Santa Fe at age 16, playing for the club's U-19 team for six months, was promoted to the first team in early 2004, where he played 25 games in the next two seasons.

Argentina

*He signed with Argentine giants River Plate following the tournament but struggled to break into the first team and has yet to debut for the full Colombia squad. Played 5 games in the Copa Libertadores Tournament for River Plate, scoring once. He played in only three Torneo Verano games and was loaned to River Plate from Santa Fe in January 2006.

USA

*In February 2007, after sending a highlight video to FC Dallas and impressing in a tryout in Brazil, Toja signed with Major League Soccer.With his electric play and flashy style (topped off with an impressive hairdo - allegedly an homage to Jim Morrison, the late lead singer of The Doors), Toja has quickly became a fan favorite in Dallas. Scored his first MLS goal, the game-winner, in 2-1 win at Kansas City Wizards on 5/12, Tallied another game-winner in 2-1 win at Chicago Fire on 5/17.

*Scored his fourth goal in 1-0 victory at Colorado Rapids on 6/23, his team-leading third game-winner; Scored two in historic comeback at D.C. United on 7/14 and earned in the Week 15 the MLS Player of the Week honors for his effort. Was named to the Major League Soccer All-Star Game, starting and scoring the second goal of the MLS team's 2-0 win over Celtic F.C. on 7/19 in Colorado.

*Started all three SuperLiga matches and tallied a goal and an assist. Left U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal game vs. Charleston at halftime on 8/7 with a sprained ankle, which kept him out for the next two regular season games. *Missed 9/15 game at New England Revolution due to sprained right ankle. Returned to play full 90 minutes on 9/20 in 1-1 tie with Chicago Fire. Started 27 regular season games, finishing second on the team with 6 goals. Appeared in all 4 U.S. Open Cup games and all 3 SuperLiga games, scoring once vs. Los Angeles Galaxy on 7/31 in SuperLiga match. His 34 appearances in all competitions tied for second on the team with Arturo Alvarez and Drew Moor.

*His production fell after the All-Star Game as he received an ankle injury and struggled to find consistency. The season was considered a success and FC Dallas purchased Toja from Independiente Santa Fe. [ [http://www.3rddegree.net/2007/12/fcd-buys-tojas-contract/ FCD buys Toja's Contract] ]

*His performances remained at a high standard in the 2008 season with FC Dallas, scoring 2 goals, but he left the US to follow his 'dream' to play in Europe for Romanian giants Steaua. As a testament to the quality and effort Toja put into his performances the FC Dallas faithful would wear wigs in celebration of his trademark 'rock and roll' long hair.

Romania

*On August 1st 2008, FC Dallas made Toja's transfer to Romanian side Steaua Bucureşti official. He is thus the first player to move from the United States to a Romanian club. Several days after his appearance at the MLS All-Star game against West Ham United, it had been speculated that Toja would move to Europe within a few days. He will now join Colombian mates Dayro Moreno and Robinson Zapata. [ [http://www.sport.ro/liga-1/becali-toja-e-al-stelei.html Toja e al Stelei] ]

Colombia National Team

*He played with the Colombian U-20 national team at the 2005 South American Youth Championship, which Colombia hosted and won. Toja then competed at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in Holland, helping Colombia to the Round of 16 before losing to eventual champion Argentina. Toja appeared in three of the team's four games, once as a substitute, including a start against Argentina.
*He has been called up to the Colombian national team in October 2008 for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=578576&sec=worldcup2010&cc=5901 New Colombia coach recalls Calero and Yepes] ]

Personal life

*His family sustained a tragedy when brother Sebastian, one year younger, was involved in an accident that claimed his life when Juan was 14 years old, also played volleyball as a youth has had long hair any chance he's had…though at school he was not permitted to have long hair, would grow it out while on vacation before getting it cut for school each year…is a fan of a variety of music, especially rock with his favorite performer being the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Police and Soda Stereo also likes salsa music. His grandfather on his dad's side, also named Juan Carlos Toja, was born in Uruguay and played professional soccer in his country for C.A. Peñarol later moved to Colombia and played for Independiente Medellín and Cucuta Deportivo grandfather on mother's side - Victor Vega, is Colombian and played professionally for Santa Fe, Millonarios and was a member of the Colombia National Team.

ources

* [http://galerie.lydo.org Images with Juan Carlos Toja]

ee also

Persondata
NAME=Toja, Juan Carlos Vega
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Professional soccer player
DATE OF BIRTH=May 24, 1985
PLACE OF BIRTH=Bogotá, Colombia
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=