Francisco Palencia
Encyclopedia
Juan Francisco Palencia Hernández (born April 28, 1973 in Mexico City
) is a former Mexican
football
striker, his last team was Pumas UNAM.
on June 8, 1996 against Bolivia
at the U.S. Cup tournament in Dallas, Texas, scoring the winning goal.
Palencia played in the 1996 Summer Olympics
in Atlanta, taking his side to the quarterfinals where they were defeated by Nigeria
, the eventual winners. He was a member of the national team for the 1996, 1998 and 2003 Gold Cup
tournaments and the 1999 Confederations Cup tournament, where he helped Mexico win all four competitions. Palencia also played in two FIFA World Cup
s, France'98 and Korea-Japan 2002
, but could only help his team reach the "Round of 16" of the tournaments before being eliminated.
He has also represented his country in three Copa América
tournaments in 1997, 1999 and 2004, as well as two Confederations Cup appearances in 1997 and 1999.
A veteran of 396 career games at club level with 121 goals to his name, 79 international caps for his country and 12 international goals. His experience has made him one of Mexico's best players. Palencia trained with the Cruz Azul youth system at age 13 and made his debut in the Primera División de México
in 1994 at age 21. After finishing the 1995-1996 season with highly anticipated performances, Palencia was awarded the "Rookie of the Year Award", for most outstanding young player in the Mexican First Division.
Palencia would go on to play seven seasons, captaining and scoring 91 goals for Mexico City's Club Deportivo Cruz Azul
, and leading them to two championship titles in the CONCACAF
Tournaments of 1996 and 1997, one championship title in the Mexican First Division in 1997, and second place in the Copa Libertadores of 2001.
After finishing second place to Boca Juniors
in the Copa Libertadores, Palencia departed from Cruz Azul at the end of the 2000-2001 season and went to Spain
(on loan) to play for RCD Espanyol
in La Liga
, were he played 35 matches and scored six goals. After his one year contract expired, Palencia returned to Mexico in late 2002 to play one more season with his old club, Cruz Azul. In late 2003, Palencia joined another club of Mexican football, this time to the "All Mexican Team", Club Deportivo Guadalajara. He continued on with his success displaying his excellent form, taking the team into the semi-finals of the 2005 Copa Libertadores tournament and registering 5 goals.
Palencia was originally slated to join C.D. Chivas USA
for the start of their inaugural season, but he enjoyed so much success with Guadalajara that his arrival to the United States team was delayed until August 19, 2005. In his American debut, he promptly displayed his fine form and scored two goals. In 2006, Palencia was the team captain of Chivas USA and was also the highest paid player in MLS
at that time, earning US$ 1,360,000 a year. In 2006, the veteran striker missed out on selection in Mexico's 23 man squad for the World Cup
. On January 2007, Palencia signed to UNAM Pumas. On February 7, Palencia was called up by coach Hugo Sánchez
to represent his country and play a friendly game against the United States. The Mexicans lost the match 0-2. However, Palencia played against Paraguay
on March 25 and Ecuador
on March 28, Mexico winning both matches and Palencia score a goal.
Palencia had another opportunity to play in the Copa Libertadores on May 3 and 8 of 2007. Club Toluca
signed him on loan for a couple of games to reinforce its squad against Corporación Nuevo Cúcuta Deportivo in both matches of the Round of 16. Unfortunately for Toluca, Cúcuta Deportivo won the first match at home 5-1, even though Toluca scored first on the very first minute of the game. This match was followed by a 2-0 Toluca victory over Cucuta Deportivo, also starting Palencia. Toluca was eliminated from the tournament and Palencia will have to wait for another opportunity to play in Latin America's biggest club championship event.
Cruz Azul
Primera División de México
:
Copa Libertadores:
Pumas UNAM
| 1. || December 14, 1997 || King Fahd II Stadium, Riyadh
, Saudi Arabia
|| || 4–0 || Win || 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup
|-
| 2. || December 14, 1997 || King Fahd II Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia || || 4–0 || Win || 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup
|-
| 3. || February 4, 1998 || Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland
, United States
|| || 4–2 || Win || 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup
|-
| 4. || February 24, 1998 || Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens
, United States || || 2–3 || Loss || Friendly
|-
| 5. || July 17, 1999 || Estadio Defensores del Chaco
, Asunción
, Paraguay
|| || 2–1 || Win || 1999 Copa América
|-
| 6. || July 29, 1999 || Estadio Azteca
, Mexico City
, Mexico
|| || 1–0 || Win || 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup
|-
| 7. || February 13, 2000 || Qualcomm Stadium
, San Diego, United States || || 4–0 || Win || 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
|-
| 8. || November 11, 2001 || Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico || || 3–0 || Win || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 9. || May 16, 2002 || Pacific Bell Park
, San Francisco, United States || || 1–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 10. || June 19, 2004 || Alamodome
, San Antonio, United States || || 10–0 || Win || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 11. || March 28, 2007 || McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, United States || || 4–2 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 12. || October 10, 2009 || Estadio Azteca Mexico City, Mexico || || 4–1 || Win || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|}
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
) is a former 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...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
striker, his last team was Pumas UNAM.
Biography
Palencia made his international debut for the Mexican national football teamMexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
on June 8, 1996 against Bolivia
Bolivia national football team
The Bolivia national football team is the national team of Bolivia and is controlled by the Federación Boliviana de Fútbol. After playing in the 1930 and 1950 World Cups, they qualified just once—in 1994...
at the U.S. Cup tournament in Dallas, Texas, scoring the winning goal.
Palencia played in the 1996 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics
The association football competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics was held in Birmingham, Alabama; Washington, D.C; Orlando, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Athens, Georgia....
in Atlanta, taking his side to the quarterfinals where they were defeated by Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
, the eventual winners. He was a member of the national team for the 1996, 1998 and 2003 Gold Cup
Gold Cup
Gold Cup may refer to:In art and archaeology:* Royal Gold Cup, 14th century French cup in the British Museum* Rillaton Gold Cup, late Neolithic, from Rillaton Barrow in England* Ringlemere Cup, Bronze Age from EnglandIn horse racing:...
tournaments and the 1999 Confederations Cup tournament, where he helped Mexico win all four competitions. Palencia also played in two FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
s, France'98 and Korea-Japan 2002
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
, but could only help his team reach the "Round of 16" of the tournaments before being eliminated.
He has also represented his country in three Copa América
Copa América
The Copa América —previously known as South American Championship—is an international football competition contested between the men's national teams of CONMEBOL, the sport's continental governing body...
tournaments in 1997, 1999 and 2004, as well as two Confederations Cup appearances in 1997 and 1999.
A veteran of 396 career games at club level with 121 goals to his name, 79 international caps for his country and 12 international goals. His experience has made him one of Mexico's best players. Palencia trained with the Cruz Azul youth system at age 13 and made his debut in the Primera División de México
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...
in 1994 at age 21. After finishing the 1995-1996 season with highly anticipated performances, Palencia was awarded the "Rookie of the Year Award", for most outstanding young player in the Mexican First Division.
Palencia would go on to play seven seasons, captaining and scoring 91 goals for Mexico City's Club Deportivo Cruz Azul
Club Deportivo Cruz Azul
Club Deportivo, Social, y Cultural Cruz Azul, known simply as Cruz Azul, is a Mexican professional Association football club based in Mexico City, Mexico; after which initially was based in Ciudad Cooperativa Cruz Azul in the Mexican state of Hidalgo...
, and leading them to two championship titles in the CONCACAF
CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football is the continental governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean...
Tournaments of 1996 and 1997, one championship title in the Mexican First Division in 1997, and second place in the Copa Libertadores of 2001.
After finishing second place to Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
in the Copa Libertadores, Palencia departed from Cruz Azul at the end of the 2000-2001 season and went to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
(on loan) to play for RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
in La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, were he played 35 matches and scored six goals. After his one year contract expired, Palencia returned to Mexico in late 2002 to play one more season with his old club, Cruz Azul. In late 2003, Palencia joined another club of Mexican football, this time to the "All Mexican Team", Club Deportivo Guadalajara. He continued on with his success displaying his excellent form, taking the team into the semi-finals of the 2005 Copa Libertadores tournament and registering 5 goals.
Palencia was originally slated to join C.D. Chivas USA
C.D. Chivas USA
Club Deportivo Chivas USA is an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada....
for the start of their inaugural season, but he enjoyed so much success with Guadalajara that his arrival to the United States team was delayed until August 19, 2005. In his American debut, he promptly displayed his fine form and scored two goals. In 2006, Palencia was the team captain of Chivas USA and was also the highest paid player in MLS
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...
at that time, earning US$ 1,360,000 a year. In 2006, the veteran striker missed out on selection in Mexico's 23 man squad for the World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
. On January 2007, Palencia signed to UNAM Pumas. On February 7, Palencia was called up by coach Hugo Sánchez
Hugo Sánchez
Hugo Sánchez Márquez , popularly nicknamed Pentapichichi, or Hugol, is a Mexican football coach and former striker. He played for four European clubs, including Real Madrid. Sanchez is considered the first highly talented Mexican player. He was also a member of the Mexico national team, and...
to represent his country and play a friendly game against the United States. The Mexicans lost the match 0-2. However, Palencia played against Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
on March 25 and Ecuador
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...
on March 28, Mexico winning both matches and Palencia score a goal.
Palencia had another opportunity to play in the Copa Libertadores on May 3 and 8 of 2007. Club Toluca
Club Toluca
Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club is a Mexican professional football club. Toluca's stadium Nemesio Diez Riega is located in Toluca, State of Mexico in Mexico. Toluca plays in the Primera División de México and has been champion ten times...
signed him on loan for a couple of games to reinforce its squad against Corporación Nuevo Cúcuta Deportivo in both matches of the Round of 16. Unfortunately for Toluca, Cúcuta Deportivo won the first match at home 5-1, even though Toluca scored first on the very first minute of the game. This match was followed by a 2-0 Toluca victory over Cucuta Deportivo, also starting Palencia. Toluca was eliminated from the tournament and Palencia will have to wait for another opportunity to play in Latin America's biggest club championship event.
Honours
Club: Cruz Azul
- CONCACAF Champions Cup:
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...
:
- Runner-up (1): 2001
Pumas UNAM
- Primera División de MéxicoPrimera División de MéxicoThe 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...
:- Winner (1): Clausura 2009
- Winner (1): Clausura 2011
International
MexicoMexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
- Gold CupGold CupGold Cup may refer to:In art and archaeology:* Royal Gold Cup, 14th century French cup in the British Museum* Rillaton Gold Cup, late Neolithic, from Rillaton Barrow in England* Ringlemere Cup, Bronze Age from EnglandIn horse racing:...
- champions (1996, 1998 and 2003) - Confederation CupConfederation CupConfederation Cup may refer to various sports competitions. It most commonly refers to:*the FIFA Confederations Cup, for International football*the CAF Confederation Cup for African club football...
- champions (1999)
International goals
|-| 1. || December 14, 1997 || King Fahd II Stadium, Riyadh
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...
, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
|| || 4–0 || Win || 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup
1997 FIFA Confederations Cup
-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Awards:-Top scorers:7 goals Romário5 goals Vladimír Šmicer4 goals Ronaldo-References:...
|-
| 2. || December 14, 1997 || King Fahd II Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia || || 4–0 || Win || 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup
|-
| 3. || February 4, 1998 || Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|| || 4–2 || Win || 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup
1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the fourth edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean ....
|-
| 4. || February 24, 1998 || Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens
Miami Gardens, Florida
Miami Gardens is a Miami suburban city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city name comes from one of the major roadways through the area, Miami Gardens Drive. According to the 2010 U.S...
, United States || || 2–3 || Loss || Friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
|-
| 5. || July 17, 1999 || Estadio Defensores del Chaco
Estadio Defensores del Chaco
Estadio Defensores del Chaco is a multi-purpose stadium in Asunción, Paraguay. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium once had a 50,000+ capacity but over the years the stadium has undergone remodeling dropping the capacity to 36,000....
, Asunción
Asunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
, Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
|| || 2–1 || Win || 1999 Copa América
Copa América 1999
The 1999 Copa América was a football tournament held in Paraguay, from June 29 to July 18, 1999. It was organised by CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body.There is no qualifying for the final tournament...
|-
| 6. || July 29, 1999 || Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca is a stadium in Santa Ursula, Mexico City, Mexico. It is the official home stadium of the Mexico national football team and the Mexican team Club América.The stadium was the venue for football soccer in the 1968 Summer Olympics....
, Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, 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...
|| || 1–0 || Win || 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup
1999 FIFA Confederations Cup
-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Awards:-Top scorers:6 goals Cuauhtémoc Blanco Marzouq Al-Otaibi Ronaldinho4 goals Alex3 goals José Manuel Abundis Zé Roberto-Notes:...
|-
| 7. || February 13, 2000 || Qualcomm Stadium
Qualcomm Stadium
Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area....
, San Diego, United States || || 4–0 || Win || 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the fifth edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean . It was held in the United States, in Los Angeles, Miami, and San Diego. The format of the tournament changed from 1998; it was expanded to twelve teams,...
|-
| 8. || November 11, 2001 || Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico || || 3–0 || Win || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
The 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, CONCACAF Zone ran from March 2000 to November 2001 in order to determine the three CONCACAF representatives at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. For an overview of the qualification rounds, see 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification....
|-
| 9. || May 16, 2002 || Pacific Bell Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
, San Francisco, United States || || 1–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 10. || June 19, 2004 || Alamodome
Alamodome
The Alamodome is a domed 65,000 seat, multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S...
, San Antonio, United States || || 10–0 || Win || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for North, Central America and the Caribbean. A total of 34 teams took part , competing for 3.5 places in the World Cup.The qualification process was divided in three stages...
|-
| 11. || March 28, 2007 || McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, United States || || 4–2 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 12. || October 10, 2009 || Estadio Azteca Mexico City, Mexico || || 4–1 || Win || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
The CONCACAF qualification stage for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa consisted of 35 national teams competing for the three berths given automatically to CONCACAF by FIFA. The United States, Mexico and Honduras qualified...
|}