Daniel Hernández (soccer)

For other people with the same name, see Daniel Hernández.

Daniel Hernández

Personal information
Full name	Daniel Demetrio Hernández
Date of birth	July 23, 1976 (1976-07-23) (age 35)
Place of birth	Tyler, Texas, United States
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position	Defender / Midfielder
Club information
Current club	FC Dallas
Number	2
Youth career
1990–1994	Dallas Texans
1994–1997	SMU Mustangs
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1998–1999	Los Angeles Galaxy	29	(0)
1999–2000	Tampa Bay Mutiny	4	(0)
2000–2002	MetroStars	40	(1)
2002–2003	New England Revolution	28	(3)
2003–2005	Necaxa	50	(3)
2005–2007	New England Revolution	14	(0)
2007	Puebla	7	(1)
2008	Jaguares de Chiapas	24	(0)
2009	Necaxa	6	(0)
2009–	FC Dallas	61	(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 1, 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Daniel Demetrio Hernández (born July 23, 1976 in Tyler, Texas) is an American soccer player who currently plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.

Career

Youth and College

Hernández was a student at John Tyler High School and played youth soccer for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club. He played college soccer at Southern Methodist University from 1994 to 1997, where he was a First Team All-American as an attacking midfielder.

Professional

Upon graduating from SMU, Hernández was drafted in the second round of the 1998 MLS College Draft by the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. He saw little playing time in the Galaxy, appearing mostly a substitute, before being traded to the Tampa Bay Mutiny in exchange for Jorge Salcedo. Hernández hardly played for the Mutiny either, appearing in only four games, and was traded the next year to the MetroStars for the rights to Daniel Alvarez.

With the MetroStars, Hernández finally came into his own, earning a starting position, first in central defense, and then becoming one of the league's most dangerous defensive midfielders. He stayed with the MetroStars from 2000 to 2002, but was a part of a blockbuster trade in the middle of 2002, which sent him along with Brian Kamler and Diego Serna to the New England Revolution for Mamadou Diallo, Andy Williams, and Ted Chronopoulos. Despite being a starter for the Revolution, Hernández expressed displeasure with his situation, requesting a trade to his home state Dallas Burn. The Burn, however, were unwilling to make such a trade, and upon the emergence of an adequate replacement for him in Shalrie Joseph, Hernández was transferred to Mexican club Necaxa mid-season 2003. In six seasons in MLS, he totalled four goals and 15 assists in league play.

To the surprise of many, Hernández - called Demetrio in Mexico - earned a starting position as a central defender on the club. According to Hernández, his profile in his hometown of Tyler has increased enormously since his arrival in the Primera División. However, in 2005, he came back to MLS, re-signing with New England. In 2007, he was waived by the Revolution.

After brief stints back in Mexico with Puebla and Jaguares de Chiapas in 2007 and 2008, Hernández signed with FC Dallas in September 2009.^[1] With Dallas, Hernandez has been a key player playing as the teams primary defensive midfielder. During the 2010 season Daniel appeared in 24 league matches and helped the club reach the 2010 MLS Cup. Hernandez was named to the MLS Team of Week 10 in the 2011 MLS season for his play against Real Salt Lake.^[2]

Honors

Los Angeles Galaxy

• Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield (1): 1998
• Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (1): 1999

New England Revolution

• Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Championship (3): 2002, 2005, 2006

FC Dallas

• Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (1): 2010

American Football

Hernández played as a placekicker on SMU's American football team while in school. He has often stated his ambition to play in the NFL for his hometown Dallas Cowboys.

See also

• List of current MLS players

References

1. ^ FC Dallas acquire Daniel Hernandez
2. ^ http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/05/24/mlssoccercom-team-week-week-10

External links

• MLS player profile
• mediotiempo.com
• Official site

Persondata
Name	Hernandez, Daniel
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	July 23, 1976
Place of birth	Tyler, Texas, United States
Date of death
Place of death