Jason Hernandez
FullnameJason Hernandez
Birth dateAugust 26, 1983 (age 43)
Birth placeNew York, New York, United States
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
PositionDefender
Collegeyears 12001–2004
College 1Seton Hall Pirates
Years 12005
Clubs 1MetroStars
Caps 13
Goals 10
Years 22006–2007
Clubs 2Chivas USA
Caps 250
Goals 20
Years 32008–2014
Clubs 3San Jose Earthquakes
Caps 3165
Goals 30
Years 42015–2016
Clubs 4New York City FC
Caps 457
Goals 40
Years 52017–2018
Clubs 5Toronto FC
Caps 518
Goals 50
Years 62017–2018
Clubs 6→ Toronto FC II (loan)
Caps 62
Goals 60
Totalcaps295
Totalgoals0
Nationalyears 12016
Nationalteam 1Puerto Rico
Nationalcaps 13
Nationalgoals 10

Jason Hernandez (born August 26, 1983) is former professional soccer player who is the general manager of Major League Soccer club Toronto FC. He previously played for the Puerto Rico national team as a defender.

Hernandez played prep soccer at Paramus Catholic High School.[1]

College

Hernandez played college soccer at Seton Hall University from 2001 to 2004, and captained the team in his final two seasons. He was also named Second Team ALL-BIG EAST in 2004.[2]

Club career

MetroStars

Hernandez was selected by the MetroStars with the sixth pick in the first round of the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft and signed a developmental contract with the team for the 2005 season.[3] After not playing a minute in the club's first 29 league games, he made his debut against Chicago on October 5, 2005. He started the last three games of the regular season, as well as both games in the playoffs.[4]

Chivas USA

Hernandez was traded to Chivas USA in a trade that allowed the MetroStars to move up to the first selection of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft and select Marvell Wynne.[5]

In his initial campaign with Chivas, Hernandez went on to appear in 29 league matches, including 24 starts. During the 2007 season Hernandez saw his role reduced as he appeared in 21 league matches, starting only nine. He started three of the club's four playoff matches during his two-year stint at the Los Angeles-based club.[6]

San Jose Earthquakes

Hernandez was picked up by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2007 MLS Expansion Draft.[7] He made his debut on April 3, 2008, starting against LA Galaxy.[8]

Hernandez would play for the club through the 2014 season, and would captain the team multiple times.[2] His 160 games started and 13,859 minutes played placed him third all time in both categories for the club.[8]

New York City

Hernandez was selected by New York City FC as the 6th pick in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft.[9] He would start in their first ever MLS game, a 1–1 draw with Orlando City SC on March 8, 2015.[10]

After the signing of Italian legend Andrea Pirlo in July 2015, Hernandez changed his number from 21 to 2 to honor his boyhood idol, New York Yankees legendary shortstop Derek Jeter.[citation needed] He was not retained following the 2016 season.[11]

Toronto FC

Hernandez was signed by Toronto FC in March 2017.[12] He made his Toronto FC debut and his first start of the season on May 6, 2017, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 win against the Seattle Sounders FC.[13]

Hernandez was re-signed by Toronto FC on April 13, 2018,.[14] He was released at the end of the 2018 season following the expiration of his contract.[15]

Hernandez announced his retirement from professional football on April 2, 2019, and that he would be joining Toronto's front office as Manager of Player Engagement.[16]

Hernandez was named General Manager of Toronto FC on June 27, 2023.[17]

International career

Hernandez was born in the United States to parents of Puerto Rican descent. In January 2009, he was called for a training camp with the United States, but he did not appear in a match for the team.[18] Eligible for Puerto Rico through his parents, he made his international debut with the team in March 2016 during a Caribbean Cup qualifier against Guyana.[19]

Management career

After retiring as a professional player in April 2019, he became Toronto FC's Manager of Player Engagement.[16] He later became the team's Assistant General Manager, Player Personnel and Engagement Strategy in 2021, before being promoted to General Manager in June 2023.[20]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[21]
ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffs[a]National cup[b]ContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
MetroStars2005Major League Soccer302000—50
Chivas USA2006Major League Soccer2902000—310
20072101000—220
Total500300000530
San Jose Earthquakes2008Major League Soccer280—00—280
2009160—00—160
20102703000—300
2011280—00—280
20122502010—280
2013210—004[c]0250
2014200—10—210
Total16505020401760
New York City FC2015Major League Soccer260—10—270
20163100010—320
Total570002000590
Toronto FC2017Major League Soccer800010—90
2018100—2000120
Total180003000210
Toronto FC II (loan)2017USL10———10
201810———10
Total2000000020
Career total295010070403160
  1. ^ Includes MLS Cup playoffs
  2. ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup, Canadian Championship
  3. ^ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[22]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Puerto Rico201630
Total30

Honors

Club

San Jose Earthquakes

Toronto FC

References

  1. ^ Hernandez[dead link], San Jose Earthquakes. Accessed October 20, 2022. "High School/Club: Four-year letter-winner at Paramus Catholic"
  2. ^ "Hernandez alumni report". shupirates.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Metros sign Hernandez". bigapplesoccer.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Jason Hernandez statistics". metrofanatic.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  5. ^ "MLS SuperDraft". Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
  6. ^ "Jason Hernandez NYCFC profile". nycfc.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  7. ^ "MLS releases results of expansion draft". oursportcentral.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  8. ^ "San Jose profile". sjearthquakes.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  9. ^ "2014 MLS expansion draft". centerlinesoccer.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  10. ^ "NYCFC vs Orlando City". espnfc.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  11. ^ Booth, Mark (28 November 2016). "NYCFC Announce Roster Options for 2017". NYCFC.com. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  12. ^ "Toronto FC Sign Jason Hernandez". Toronto FC. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  13. ^ "TFC's strength in depth on full display in win over Sounders - Sportsnet.ca"
  14. ^ "Toronto FC welcome back Jason Hernandez, promote three from Toronto FC II". www.mlssoccer.com. April 13, 2018.
  15. ^ "Toronto FC decline Clint Irwin, Tosaint Ricketts options". www.cbc.ca. November 27, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  16. ^ "Jason Hernandez Announces Retirement, Joins Front Office". Torontofc.ca. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  17. ^ torontofc. "Jason Hernandez named Toronto FC General Manager | Toronto FC". torontofc. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  18. ^ "www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_12189704.html". Retrieved January 7, 2009.
  19. ^ "Jason Hernández le ve futuro a onceno boricua – elVocero". Archived from the original on 26 October 2016.
  20. ^ "Jason Hernandez named Toronto FC General Manager". Toronto FC. June 27, 2023.
  21. ^
  22. ^
  23. ^ "San Jose clinch Supporters' Shield". sjearthquakes.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.