Daniel Hernandez
Encyclopedia
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
.
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.
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. 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
.
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
.
Tyler, Texas
Tyler is a city in and the county seat of Smith County, Texas, in the United States. It takes its name from President John Tyler . The city had a population of 109,000 in 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Youth and College
Hernández was a student at John Tyler High SchoolJohn Tyler High School
John Tyler High School is a public, co-educational secondary school in Tyler, Texas. It is part of the Tyler Independent School District and serves 9th through 12th grade...
and played youth soccer for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club
Dallas Texans Soccer Club
Dallas Texans Soccer Club is one of the top youth soccer clubs in the United States. Founded in 1993 by Hassan Nazari, the club has produced many players who have played professionally at various levels in the U.S. and overseas, including US National Team Star Clint Dempsey...
. He played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
from 1994 to 1997, where he was a First Team All-American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
as an attacking midfielder.
Professional
Upon graduating from SMU, Hernández was drafted in the second round of the 1998 MLS College Draft1998 MLS College Draft
The 1998 Major League Soccer College Draft was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 31 and February 1, 1998.-Format:On Saturday, January 31, 1997, Major League Soccer held the first round of its 1998 college draft during the halftime of the Umbro Select All-Star Classic at Lockhart Stadium. ...
by the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. He saw little playing time in the Galaxy, appearing mostly a substitute, before being traded to the Tampa Bay Mutiny
Tampa Bay Mutiny
The Tampa Bay Mutiny was a charter franchise of Major League Soccer active from 1996 - 2001. They initially played in Tampa Stadium and were immediately successful, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in...
in exchange for Jorge Salcedo
Jorge Salcedo
Jorge Salcedo is a retired American soccer defender who played professionally in Mexico and Major League Soccer. He earned three caps with the United States men's national soccer team and has coached the UCLA Bruins men's soccer team since 2004.-High school and college:Salcedo, son of Hugo...
. Hernández hardly played for the Mutiny either, appearing in only four games, and was traded the next year to the MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
for the rights to Daniel Alvarez
Daniel Alvarez (soccer)
Daniel Alvarez is a retired American soccer player.Alvarez graduated from Pine Forest High School. He attended Furman University where he was a 1999 First Team All American. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in health and exercise science...
.
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
Brian Kamler
Brian Kamler is a retired American soccer midfielder, who played two seasons in the USISL, winning the 1995 U.S. Open Cup and league titles with the Richmond Kickers, and ten seasons in Major League Soccer....
and Diego Serna
Diego Serna
Diego Serna is a Colombian soccer player currently signed with Syracuse Silver Knights of the American Major Indoor Soccer League...
to the New England Revolution for Mamadou Diallo
Mamadou Diallo
Mamadou Diallo , also known as Big Mama, is a former Senegalese football striker.-European career:Diallo has played all over the world: United States, Senegal, Morocco, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Africa, Mali, Germany, Turkey, Sweden and Norway...
, Andy Williams
Andy Williams (soccer)
Andrew "Andy" Williams is a Canadian-born Jamaican footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-College:...
, and Ted Chronopoulos
Ted Chronopoulos
Ted Chronopoulos is a retired American soccer player. He spent three seasons in the Greek First Division, seven seasons in Major League Soccer, three in the USL First Division and one in Major Indoor Soccer League...
. Despite being a starter for the Revolution, Hernández expressed displeasure with his situation, requesting a trade to his home state Dallas Burn
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
. The Burn, however, were unwilling to make such a trade, and upon the emergence of an adequate replacement for him in Shalrie Joseph
Shalrie Joseph
Shalrie Jamal Joseph is a Grenadian footballer who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:...
, Hernández was transferred to Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
club Necaxa
Necaxa
Necaxa is a Mexican football club and is based in the city of Aguascalientes. it plays in the Estadio Victoria. Necaxa is ranked seventh overall and 1st in ranking in Mexican football within the IFFHS Central and North America's Clubs of the Century in the CONCACAF behind CD Saprissa San Juan de...
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
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
. 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
Jaguares de Chiapas
The Club de Fútbol Jaguares de Chiapas, is a Mexican football club now based in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, in the state of Chiapas. They currently play in Primera División de México...
in 2007 and 2008, Hernández signed with FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
in September 2009. 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
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
.
Los Angeles Galaxy
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Supporters' Shield (1): 1998 - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Western Conference Championship (1): 1999
New England Revolution
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Eastern Conference Championship (3): 2002, 2005, 2006
FC Dallas
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Western Conference Championship (1): 20102010 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2010 Major League Soccer season was the 98th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 32nd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 15th in MLS history. It began on March 25 at Seattle's Qwest Field with Seattle Sounders FC defeating the expansion...
American Football
Hernández played as a placekickerPlacekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
on SMU's American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team while in school. He has often stated his ambition to play in the NFL for his hometown Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
.