Gonzalo Segares

Gonzalo Segares González (born October 13, 1982) is a Costa Rican former professional footballer who spent most of his career with Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire. He currently serves as head coach for the United States U17 national team.

Playing career

Youth and college

Segares started his career playing in Saprissa's minor league system, before being awarded with a scholarship to play college soccer at Virginia Commonwealth University from 2001 to 2004. Segares was a strong player from his debut, starting all 83 games he played in his four seasons. He registered 16 goals and 10 assists from the back in his four years with the team, was a first-team All-CAA selection his final three years, and was a first team All-American and Hermann Trophy finalist as a senior. During this time he also played with the Williamsburg Legacy in the USL Premier Development League.

Professional

Segares began his professional career with the Chicago Fire as a 2005 SuperDraft third round selection, and quickly proved himself during his rookie campaign. Segares was in the Fire's starting eleven for the first three games of the 2006 campaign until an ankle injury sidelined the young defender for a month of action. Upon his return, Segares came back with a vengeance, starting 19 of Chicago's last 24 games. Segares also helped the "Men in Red" earn an MLS club-record fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title in 2006, playing every minute in the tournament's Final. He held down the left side of defense in Chicago's starting XI in 2008 and 2009, while balancing his burgeoning duties for both club and country.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

After the 2009 season, Segares left the Fire for Greek Cypriot club Apollon Limassol on a free transfer.<ref>Segares jugará en Chipre - Nación Template:In lang</ref> In August 2010 Segares returned to the Fire.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On December 6, 2012 Chicago Fire re-signed Segares to a multi-year deal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2014 season, the club declined his contract option.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On February 4, 2015, Segares announced his retirement.<ref name="Longtime Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares retires, joins club's academy staff">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

International

Earning his first call up in 2007, Segares participated in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying and the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where Costa Rica made it to the semifinals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Coaching career

After his retirement, Segares remained on staff with Chicago Fire as an academy coach and a club ambassador.<ref name="Longtime Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares retires, joins club's academy staff" /> In January 2020, he joined the United States Soccer Federation becoming United States U15 head coach. On October 18, 2021, Segares was announced as the United States U17 new head coach.<ref name="Tracey Kevins Named Head Coach of U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team; Gonzalo Segares Named Head Coach of U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Coaching statistics

Coaching record by team and tenure

Team	From	To	Record
			Template:Abbr	Template:Abbr	Template:Abbr	Template:Abbr	Template:Abbr
United States U-17 MNT	Oct 2021	Present
Total

Personal

Segares holds a U.S. green card which qualified him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Honours

Chicago Fire

• Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
  • Winners (1): 2006

Individual

• Chicago Fire Defender of the Year:
  • Winner: (1): 2007

External links

• Template:MLS player
• Template:NFT player