Hector Jiménez (soccer) explained

Hector Jiménez
Fullname:Hector Osvaldo Jiménez[1]
Birth Date:3 November 1988
Birth Place:Huntington Park, California, United States
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Austin FC
Clubnumber:16
Youthyears1:2002–2006
Youthclubs1:Arsenal FC (California)
Youthyears2:2005
Youthclubs2:IMG Soccer Academy
Collegeyears1:2006–2010
College1:California Golden Bears
Years1:2011–2013
Clubs1:LA Galaxy
Caps1:43
Goals1:4
Years2:2014–2020
Clubs2:Columbus Crew SC
Caps2:133
Goals2:2
Years3:2021–
Clubs3:Austin FC
Caps3:54
Goals3:1
Pcupdate:16:59, July 22, 2024 (UTC)

Hector Osvaldo Jiménez (born November 3, 1988) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club Austin FC.

College and amateur career

Hector played two years at Bell Gardens High School from 2004 to 2006 where he established himself as one of the team's leaders and caught the eye of various soccer programs across the country.

Jiménez is a product of the University of California Berkeley where he played between 2006 and 2010. He was three-time First Team All-Pac-10 (2008–2010), NSCAA Second Team Far West Region, no. 2 on Cal's all-time assist list, ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 8 team, NSCAA First Team Far West All-Region and was three-time Second Team Pac-10 All-Academic.[2] During his college years, Jiménez also played with the Bay Area Ambassadors of the National Premier Soccer League.

Professional career

LA Galaxy

On January 14, 2011, Jiménez was drafted in the second round (34th overall) in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by Los Angeles Galaxy.[3] He played three seasons with the Galaxy, recording four goals and six assists in 43 appearances while helping the Galaxy win titles in 2011 and 2012.

Columbus Crew SC

On January 14, 2014, Jiménez was traded to the Columbus Crew for a Second Round 2014 MLS SuperDraft selection (42nd overall) and allocation money.[4] He made his club debut on March 8, 2014, in a 3–0 victory over D.C. United.[5] His first goal for the Crew came on April 19, 2014, also against D.C. United. Jiménez's 90th-minute goal earned the Crew a 1–1 draw and would be nominated for MLS AT&T Goal of the Week honors.[6] He went on to appear in both legs of the Crew's playoff series against the New England Revolution.

Jiménez made 23 appearances in 2015, including his 75th professional appearance on May 16 against the San Jose Earthquakes. He notched four assists on the season while playing at four different positions. However, he did not appear in the playoffs as Crew SC made a run to MLS Cup 2015, where they would fall 2–1 to the Portland Timbers.

Jiménez racked up 25 appearances in 2016, playing five different positions. He made his 100th career appearance on July 3, in a 3–2 defeat to Sporting KC.[7] During the 2017 season, Jiménez made 23 appearances for Columbus. However, in 2018, the signing of Milton Valenzuela, a young Designated Player, saw Jiménez's time on the field significantly decrease, with him only making 12 total appearances.[8] However, during the 2019 season Valenzuela suffered a long-term injury which again saw Jiménez seize the starting left back position and he made a total of 23 appearances.

In his last season with Columbus, Jiménez made a total of 10 appearances. One of these appearances was during the 2020 MLS Cup where Columbus beat Seattle Sounders FC 3–0.[9] On December 14, 2020, Columbus declined their contract option on Jiménez following their 2020 season ending his time with the club.[10]

Austin FC

On December 21, 2020, Jiménez joined Austin FC as a free agent ahead of their inaugural season in 2021.[11] He made his first start for Austin on May 15 against former club LA Galaxy, but was removed on a stretcher in the first half.[12] His next appearance came on June 24, replacing injured right-back Nick Lima.[13] Jiménez scored the final goal of Austin's 4–1 win over Portland Timbers on July 1, the club's first win at Q2 Stadium.[14]

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonLeagueLeague cupU.S. Open CupCCLOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
LA Galaxy2011MLS20101040
2012151101040211
2013263101030313
Total434203080564
Columbus Crew SC2014MLS2412020281
201523010240
201625020270
20171904010240
20181101010130
201923120251
20208020100
Total133290901512
Austin FC2021MLS251251
202214010150
2023200010101050
20241300000130
Total54100201010581
Career total229711014090102647
Notes

Personal life

Both of Jiménez's parents are Mexican immigrants, who met in the United States.[15]

Honors

LA Galaxy

2011, 2012

Columbus Crew SC

2020

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hector Osvaldo Jimenez . . July 13, 2020.
  2. Web site: Hector Jimenez | Major League Soccer . 2011-04-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110216220716/http://www.mlssoccer.com/player/hector-jimenez . 2011-02-16 . dead .
  3. Web site: 2011 MLS SuperDraft Tracker | Major League Soccer . 2011-01-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110121115744/http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft-tracker . 2011-01-21 .
  4. Web site: Crew acquires Hector Jimenez and First Round 2014 MLS SuperDraft selection from LA Galaxy | Columbus Crew . 2014-01-14 . https://archive.today/20140114181151/http://www.thecrew.com/draftcentral/2014/01/crew-acquires-hector-jimenez-and-first-round-2014-mls-superdraft-selection-la-galaxy . 2014-01-14 . dead .
  5. Web site: Columbus Crew 3–0 D.C. United. ColumbusCrewSC.com. 4 January 2017.
  6. Web site: Columbus Crew 1–1 D.C. United. ColumbusCrewSC.com. 4 January 2017.
  7. Web site: Kamara records brace in wild match at Kansas City. ColumbusCrewSC.com. 4 January 2017.
  8. Web site: USA - H. Jiménez - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. 2020-12-15. us.soccerway.com.
  9. News: Goff. Steven. Columbus Crew roars past Seattle Sounders to win MLS Cup behind Lucas Zelarayan's dominance. en-US. Washington Post. 2020-12-15. 0190-8286.
  10. Web site: RELEASE | Core of 2020 MLS Cup-winning Columbus Crew SC roster to return in 2021 | Columbus Crew.
  11. Web site: Austin FC sign versatile midfielder Hector Jimenez MLSSoccer.com.
  12. Web site: Recap: LA Galaxy 2, Austin FC 0 . MLS Soccer . Jonathan . Sigal . May 15, 2021.
  13. Web site: Austin FC winless streak continues with 2-0 loss at Minnesota United . Austin American-Statesman . Mike . Craven . June 24, 2021.
  14. Web site: Austin FC savor "momentous occasion" of first win, first goals at Q2 Stadium . MLS Soccer . Jonathan . Sigal . July 2, 2021.
  15. Web site: Immigrant, Coach, Dad: Crew SC's Hector Jimenez proves his father's hopes & training methods. MLS. June 21, 2015. December 7, 2017.