Marcelo Balboa
Encyclopedia
Marcelo Balboa is an American former soccer defender
who played in the 1990s for the U.S. national team
, becoming its captain. After retiring from playing, he has worked as a commentator for ESPN
and ABC and MLS games on HDNet
and Altitude
. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
.
descent, grew up in Cerritos, California
, and was a product of the American Youth Soccer Organization
program in Southern California, where he played for his father, Luis Balboa. Luis was a professional player in Argentina and also played with the Chicago Mustangs
of the North American Soccer League.
After playing in college at San Diego State University
, Marcelo Balboa anchored the American defense in the 1990 and the 1994 FIFA World Cup
s (his first cap came on January 10, 1988 against Guatemala
). He was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
in 1992 and 1994. In 1995, he became the first U.S. player to break the 100-cap barrier.
Marcelo played for León
in the Mexican League
in 1995 and 1996, before signing with Major League Soccer
and the Colorado Rapids
. Balboa played six seasons for the Rapids, leading as the team's all-time leader in many statistical categories. In 1998
, he joined Tab Ramos
and Eric Wynalda
as the first U.S. players to play in three World Cups. Traded to the MetroStars
in 2002, Marcelo played only five minutes all year, sitting out the rest with injuries, and retiring afterwards.
Balboa ended his U.S. career with 128 caps and 13 goals, and his MLS career with 24 goals and 23 assists in 152 games. In 2005, Balboa was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI
and elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame
on the first ballot along with Nick Folan.
Balboa was known for his bicycle kick
s, a near miss in the U.S. win over Colombia
in the 1994 World Cup; and a goal for the Rapids in 2000 against the Columbus Crew
, named the MLS Goal of the Year for that season.
Balboa debuted as a sideline reporter during ABC's coverage of the 2003 MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup. In 2004, he became a regular announcer for ABC and ESPN's television
coverage of the U.S. national team
. Most recently, Balboa has paired up with baseball announcer Dave O'Brien as networks' #1 U.S. announcing team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
.
In 2007 Marcelo started a soccer radio show, From The Pitch, which airs on Denver station Mile High Sports Radio.
Balboa served as an analyst for NBC Sports
coverage of Soccer at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
He has been a guest soccer analyst on Telefutura
's Contacto Deportivo
.
, and is currently the executive director for Trebol Soccer Club in Lafayette, Colorado.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who played in the 1990s for the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, becoming its captain. After retiring from playing, he has worked as a commentator for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
and ABC and MLS games on HDNet
HDNet
HDNet is a men's interest television channel in the United States, broadcasting exclusively in high-definition format and available via cable and satellite television...
and Altitude
Altitude Sports and Entertainment
Altitude Sports and Entertainment is a regional sports network that serves the Rocky Mountain region, specifically Denver. It officially launched on Sept...
. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
.
Playing career
Balboa, who is of ArgentineArgentina
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...
descent, grew up in Cerritos, California
Cerritos, California
Cerritos is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, and is one of several cities that constitute the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County. It was incorporated on April 24, 1956...
, and was a product of the American Youth Soccer Organization
American Youth Soccer Organization
The American Youth Soccer Organization is a non-profit soccer organization in the United States for children aged 4 through 19. Headquartered in Torrance, California, AYSO has local programs known as "regions" in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago...
program in Southern California, where he played for his father, Luis Balboa. Luis was a professional player in Argentina and also played with the Chicago Mustangs
Chicago Mustangs
The Chicago Mustangs were an American professional soccer team based out of Chicago, Illinois that was a charter member of the United Soccer Association in 1967. The league was made up of teams imported whole from foreign leagues. The Chicago club was actually Cagliari Calcio from Italy...
of the North American Soccer League.
After playing in college at San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
, Marcelo Balboa anchored the American defense in the 1990 and the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
s (his first cap came on January 10, 1988 against Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
). He was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
The U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year is given by the United States Soccer Federation to the American soccer players judged best in the calendar year. It is the longest running major American soccer award...
in 1992 and 1994. In 1995, he became the first U.S. player to break the 100-cap barrier.
Marcelo played for León
Club León
Club León, is a Mexican professional football club based in the city of León, in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. They currently play in the Liga De Ascenso formerly known as "Primera A", the second tier of football in Mexico since their relegation from the Primera Division in 2002.León has won...
in the Mexican League
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 1995 and 1996, before signing with 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...
and the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado 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, having competed in the league...
. Balboa played six seasons for the Rapids, leading as the team's all-time leader in many statistical categories. In 1998
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...
, he joined Tab Ramos
Tab Ramos
Tabaré Ramos Ricciardi, known as Tab Ramos is a retired U.S. Olympic Team and National Team soccer midfielder. He played professionally for 13 seasons in Spain, Mexico and the United States. Ramos was the first player to sign with Major League Soccer, where he played seven years with the MetroStars...
and Eric Wynalda
Eric Wynalda
Eric Boswell Wynalda is a retired American soccer player, and former sports broadcaster. He was the co-host of Fox Football Fone-In on Fox Soccer Channel and is currently employeed as the president of international operations at Mexican third division club Murcielagos.Wynalda scored the first goal...
as the first U.S. players to play in three World Cups. 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...
in 2002, Marcelo played only five minutes all year, sitting out the rest with injuries, and retiring afterwards.
Balboa ended his U.S. career with 128 caps and 13 goals, and his MLS career with 24 goals and 23 assists in 152 games. In 2005, Balboa was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI
MLS All-Time Best XI
In 2005, as part of its tenth anniversary celebrations, Major League Soccer, the United States' top soccer league, named its All-Time Best XI, a selection of the best eleven players in the history of the league...
and elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
on the first ballot along with Nick Folan.
Balboa was known for his bicycle kick
Bicycle kick
A Bicycle kick or Scissor kick is a physical move made by throwing the body up into the air, making a shearing movement with the legs to get one leg in front of the other without holding on to the ground. The move can either be done backwards or sideways...
s, a near miss in the U.S. win over Colombia
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
in the 1994 World Cup; and a goal for the Rapids in 2000 against the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
, named the MLS Goal of the Year for that season.
After retirement
After the 2004 MLS season, Balboa assumed a front office position with the Rapids.Balboa debuted as a sideline reporter during ABC's coverage of the 2003 MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup. In 2004, he became a regular announcer for ABC and ESPN's television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
coverage of the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. Most recently, Balboa has paired up with baseball announcer Dave O'Brien as networks' #1 U.S. announcing team for the 2006 FIFA 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...
.
In 2007 Marcelo started a soccer radio show, From The Pitch, which airs on Denver station Mile High Sports Radio.
Balboa served as an analyst for NBC Sports
NBC Sports
NBC Sports is the sports division of the NBC television network. Formerly "a service of NBC News," it broadcasts a diverse array of programs, including the Olympic Games, the NFL, the NHL, MLS, Notre Dame football, the PGA Tour, the Triple Crown, and the French Open, among others...
coverage of Soccer at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
He has been a guest soccer analyst on Telefutura
TeleFutura
TeleFutura is a U.S. Spanish-language broadcast television network owned by Univision with headquarters in Miami, Florida.-Overview:TeleFutura Is America’s #2 Spanish-Language Network in prime time...
's Contacto Deportivo
Contacto Deportivo
Contacto Deportivo is the only nightly Spanish language sports highlights and recap program broadcast on the TeleFutura network aimed at the Mexican and Hispanic market in the United States. It provides coverage of American NBA, MLB, NFL. Also the Mexican Primera División, English Premier League...
.
Personal life
Balboa resides in the town of Superior, ColoradoSuperior, Colorado
Superior is a Statutory Town in Boulder and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. According to United States Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,308 on 2005-07-01.-History:...
, and is currently the executive director for Trebol Soccer Club in Lafayette, Colorado.