Carlos Bocanegra

Lore & Background

Bocanegra was born in Upland, CA, raised in Alta Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, California, and attended Alta Loma High School. He played college soccer at UCLA, studying history and geography, and was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. He signed a Project-40 contract with MLS and was drafted by the Chicago Fire with the fourth overall pick in the 2000 MLS College Draft. He won MLS Rookie of the Year and became the first player to win MLS Defender of the Year twice (2002 and 2003). He played for the Chicago Fire, Fulham, Rennes, Saint-Étienne, Rangers, Racing Santander (on loan), and Chivas USA, retiring at the end of the 2014 MLS season. He captained the U.S. national team for six years and played in the 2002, 2006, and 2010 FIFA World Cups.

Reader's Guide

Bocanegra's playing career ended in 2014. After retiring, he became technical director and vice president for Atlanta United.

Did You Know?

• He scored five goals for Fulham during the 2006–07 Premier League season, tying for third on the team in scoring.
• Bocanegra captained the U.S. national team for six years and led them in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal win over Spain.
• Rangers fans nicknamed him 'Captain America'.
• Bocanegra was on the U.S. roster for the 2002 World Cup and made appearances in the tournament.