Eduardo Hurtado
Encyclopedia
Eduardo Estíguar Hurtado Roa (born December 12, 1969 in Esmeraldas
, Ecuador
) is a footballer who play as a striker
. He has the record of being the 2nd all-time leading scorer for the Ecuador national football team
with 26 goals in 74 caps.
("The Tank") for trying to roll over everything in his path, has played for many teams in different countries. His first teams were now defunct Valdez Sporting Club
from Milagro
and Emelec
from Guayaquil
, in his native Ecuador, and he also had stops in Switzerland
, Chile
, Mexico
, the United States
, Argentina
, and Scotland
. He later returned to Ecuador.
(MLS). In 1996, the league's first year, he finished second in goals, scoring 21 for the Los Angeles Galaxy
. He added three in the playoffs as Galaxy fell short in the MLS Cup
final and was named to the MLS Best XI
after the season. After only eight goals in 1997, Hurtado was traded to the MetroStars
two games into the 1998 season and finished the year with 11 goals and 15 assists (10 and 14 of those for the Metros), plus added a goal in the playoffs.
And then 1999 came. After scoring two goals in the Metro season opener, Hurtado scored just five the rest of the way. Playing for one of the worst teams in league history, he was the epitome of everything wrong with the squad, missing easy sitters and empty nets game after game. El Tanque became known as El Tanque, and the Metros let him go on waivers after the season. The New England Revolution
picked him up, but he only lasted three goalless games there before getting his release.
, Argentinos Juniors
and then Hibernian
, where he joined international teammate Ulises De La Cruz
. Hurtado's spell with Hibernian was an unhappy one, as he was signed by Alex McLeish
, who soon left the club to join Rangers
. Hurtado was ineffective and was given a free transfer by Bobby Williamson
.
He then played for Barcelona Sporting Club
, El Nacional
, the team of Universidad de Concepción
, and Audaz Octubrino
from Machala
. In 2004, he came back to the United States to play indoor soccer
, signing with the Cleveland Force
of the MISL
in December. However, he couldn't adjust to the indoor game and was released in less than a month, going back to Ecuador to play for Olmedo
, in 2006 he played for the 2nd Division club Norte America.
He surprisingly announced that he would transfer to Colombian football to sign for the 1st Division Club Deportivo Pereira
. The Recordman said: "I feel like I'm 20 years old, I want to score in Colombia" in an interview with a local TV.
In 2008 he plays in San Camilo of Ecuadorian Second Division.
Finally he decided to play his final season at 40 years old with the oldest team in Ecuador, Club Sport Patria in the Second Division.
Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Esmeraldas is a coastal city in northwestern Ecuador. It is the seat of the Esmeraldas Canton and the capital of the Esmeraldas Province. It has an international sea port and a small airport ....
, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
) is a footballer who play as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
. He has the record of being the 2nd all-time leading scorer for the Ecuador national football team
Ecuador national football team
The Ecuadorian national football team represents Ecuador in international football competitions and is controlled by the Ecuadorian Football Federation. They generally play official home matches at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, but often play friendlies in other stadiums around the country...
with 26 goals in 74 caps.
Early history
Hurtado, nicknamed El TanqueTank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
("The Tank") for trying to roll over everything in his path, has played for many teams in different countries. His first teams were now defunct Valdez Sporting Club
Valdez Sporting Club
Valdez Sporting Club was an Ecuadorian football club based in Milagro, Guayas. The club was founded in 1991 after Filanbanco ceded its franchise to the club. That same year, it finished as the Serie A runner-up. The following year, they participated in their first and only Copa Libertadores...
from Milagro
Milagro
Milagro means "miracle" in Spanish. It may refer to:Places:*Milagro, Ecuador, a city*Milagro Canton, Ecuador, of which the city is the canton seat*Milagro River, Ecuador*Milagro, Navarre, Spain, a town and municipality...
and Emelec
Club Sport Emelec
Club Sport Emelec is a Ecuadorian sports club based in Guayaquil that is best known for their professional football team. The football team plays in the Ecuadorian Serie A, the highest level of professional football in the country....
from Guayaquil
Guayaquil
Guayaquil , officially Santiago de Guayaquil , is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador,with about 2.3 million inhabitants in the city and nearly 3.1 million in the metropolitan area, as well as that nation's main port...
, in his native Ecuador, and he also had stops in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Mexico
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...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. He later returned to Ecuador.
Career in Major League Soccer
Hurtado was one of the early stars of Major League SoccerMajor 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...
(MLS). In 1996, the league's first year, he finished second in goals, scoring 21 for 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...
. He added three in the playoffs as Galaxy fell short in the MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
final and was named to the MLS Best XI
MLS Best XI
The MLS Best XI is an acknowledgement of the best eleven players in the league in a given season for Major League Soccer in Canada and the United States.-Winners:*Players in bold text also won the Major League Soccer MVP Award award for that season....
after the season. After only eight goals in 1997, Hurtado was traded 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...
two games into the 1998 season and finished the year with 11 goals and 15 assists (10 and 14 of those for the Metros), plus added a goal in the playoffs.
And then 1999 came. After scoring two goals in the Metro season opener, Hurtado scored just five the rest of the way. Playing for one of the worst teams in league history, he was the epitome of everything wrong with the squad, missing easy sitters and empty nets game after game. El Tanque became known as El Tanque, and the Metros let him go on waivers after the season. The New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
picked him up, but he only lasted three goalless games there before getting his release.
Further travels
Since his departure from MLS, Hurtado played for Liga Deportiva UniversitariaLiga Deportiva Universitaria (Quito)
Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito —often referred to as LDU Quito, Liga de Quito, or simply la Liga— is an Ecuadorian professional football club based in Quito. They play in the Serie A, the highest level of the Ecuadorian professional football league...
, Argentinos Juniors
Argentinos Juniors
Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors is an Argentine football club based in La Paternal, Buenos Aires. Founded on August 15, 1904, the club was originally called the “Martyrs of Chicago”, in homage to the eight anarchists imprisoned or hanged after the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago.-Early...
and then Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, where he joined international teammate Ulises De La Cruz
Ulises de la Cruz
Ulises Hernán de la Cruz Bernardo is a Ecuadorian footballer currently with LDU Quito.De la Cruz has set up a charity, Friends of FundeCruz, in his home village to fund a number of projects serving the local community....
. Hurtado's spell with Hibernian was an unhappy one, as he was signed by Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish
Alexander "Alex" McLeish , is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, who is currently managing English Premier League club Aston Villa...
, who soon left the club to join Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. Hurtado was ineffective and was given a free transfer by Bobby Williamson
Bobby Williamson
Robert "Bobby" Williamson is a former association footballer who is currently manager of the Uganda national football team. He previously managed Kilmarnock and Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League and Plymouth Argyle in the Football League Championship.-Playing career:As a player, Williamson...
.
He then played for Barcelona Sporting Club
Barcelona Sporting Club
Barcelona Sporting Club is an Ecuadorian sports club based in Guayaquil, known best for its professional football team. They currently play in the Ecuadorian Serie A, the highest level of football in the country, and hold the distinction of being the only team to have never been relegated.With...
, El Nacional
Club Deportivo El Nacional
Club Deportivo "El Nacional" is a Ecuadorian sports club from Quito, known best for their professional football team. The team currently plays in the Serie A, the top-flight football league in the country....
, the team of Universidad de Concepción
Universidad de Concepción
The University of Concepción , also known for its acronym UdeC, is one of the most prestigious universities in Chile. It is the third oldest university in the country, and it is part of the Council of Rectors. It was the first University founded in the South of Chile, and the first to become a...
, and Audaz Octubrino
Club Deportivo Audaz Octubrino
The Club Deportivo Audaz Octubrino is a professional soccer team from the city of Machala in Ecuador. Its stadium is called "9 de Mayo" and has a capacity of about 10,000 people...
from Machala
Machala
Machala is a city in south-west Ecuador. It is the capital of the El Oro Province and located near the Gulf of Guayaquil on fertile lowlands. Machala has a population of 230,901 , making it the fourth biggest city of the country; it has been referred to as the Banana Capital of the...
. In 2004, he came back to the United States to play indoor soccer
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
, signing with the Cleveland Force
Cleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
of the MISL
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
in December. However, he couldn't adjust to the indoor game and was released in less than a month, going back to Ecuador to play for Olmedo
Centro Deportivo Olmedo
Centro Deportivo Olmedo is a professional football club based in Riobamba, Ecuador. They currently play in the Serie A, Ecuador's top level of professional football....
, in 2006 he played for the 2nd Division club Norte America.
He surprisingly announced that he would transfer to Colombian football to sign for the 1st Division Club Deportivo Pereira
Deportivo Pereira
Deportivo Pereira is a professional soccer team of the Colombian city of Pereira. Founded in 1944, its traditional colors are red and yellow. It plays in the Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas.-History:...
. The Recordman said: "I feel like I'm 20 years old, I want to score in Colombia" in an interview with a local TV.
In 2008 he plays in San Camilo of Ecuadorian Second Division.
Finally he decided to play his final season at 40 years old with the oldest team in Ecuador, Club Sport Patria in the Second Division.
Nation
-
- Canada CupCanada Cup (soccer)The Canada Cup or Maple Cup was a men's invitational international football tournament for national football teams. Its first edition was the 1995 Canada Cup. Three nations competed: Canada, Chile and Northern Ireland...
: 19991999 Canada Cup-Canada vs Guatemala:-Ecuador vs Guatemala:-Canada vs Iran:-Iran vs Guatemala:-Canada vs Ecuador:-References:*... - Korea CupKorea CupKorea Cup was a football competition held annually in the South Korea from 1971 to 1999. The cup, hosted by the Korea Football Association, was contested between South Korea and guest teams....
: 1995
- Canada Cup