Monsef Zerka
Encyclopedia
Monsef Zerka is a French
-born Moroccan
professional footballer. He plays in Major League Soccer
for New England Revolution
. He originally played as a striker
, but throughout his career he has also played as a fullback and as a midfielder
.
as a youngster, Zerka was signed by Nancy on the recommendation of his coach Jacques Quéré. He completed the final years of his apprenticeship at Nancy before making his debut in 2001. He debuted in a 4-0 home win against SM Caen
, coming in as a late substitute in the 83rd minute.
Before finally signing professional forms (initially a three-year contract) with Nancy in August 2002, Zerka had made his debut for the Morocco national team
.
After playing in various positions over the years, Zerka proved effective in a forward role in Nancy's first season back in the top flight, scoring 6 goals in 24 appearances and continued in this position in 2006-07. He left AS Nancy
in the summer of 2009, after playing 173 league matches for the club and scoring 17 goals. In Ligue 1
, he featured in 85 matches and scored 13 goals.
Zerka will be remember by AS Nancy
supporters for scoring the first goal of AS Nancy
in the Final of the 2006 Coupe de la Ligue. It was the first major trophy won by the club since the 1978 French Cup.
outfit FC Nantes. Zerka debuted for his new in a 2-1 home win against Racing Strasbourg. He also scored his first goal for Nantes in his debut. It was the 1-1 equalizer, scored in the 22nd minute of the match after an assist by Jean-Claude Darcheville
. He scored his second, and last, league goal for Nantes in the next match against SC Bastia
. It was scored in the 7th minute of the match and it was the opening goal, in a match that ended as an 1-1 draw. It was scored after an assist by Djamel Abdoun
. In the next season Zerka remained goalless for FC Nantes in the league
. He scored his only goal that season, in a French Cup
4-2 away defeat by US Boulogne
. On 7 January 2011 Nantes' manager stated that he could be released by the club and that it would be better for both Nantes and Zerka to part ways. During his spell at FC Nantes Zerka featured in 35 Ligue 2
games, scoring 2 goals.
club New England Revolution
on August 18, 2011.
, scoring 3 goals.
squad for the 2004 Summer Olympics football tournament
. He was a starter in Morocco's
first match, a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica
. In the second match, an 1-2 defeat by Portugal
, Zerka was once again a starter, but he was substituted in the 72nd minute by Tajeddine Sami
. He watched Morocco's
third, and last, match in the tournament from the bench. The match ended up a 2-1 victory for Morocco
, its only victory in the tournament. Morocco
got 4 points, equal to those of Costa Rica
, but it was eliminated from the tournament, as it had scored less goals than Costa Rica
.
squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana
. In the opening match for Morocco
, he came in as a substitute for Youssouf Hadji
in the 70th minute. He managed to score a header for Morocco
4 minutes after his entrance in the game. It was his team's last goal in 1-5 devastation against Namibia
and Zerka's first goal for the Atlas Lions
. He was a starter in his team's next match, a 3-2 defeat by Guinea
, but he was substituted in the 80th minute by El Moubarki
. In the next match Morocco
had to compete against host nation Ghana
. Zerka came in as a substitute for Aboucherouane in the 55th minute of the match, but he was unable to help his team overturn Ghana's
2-0 lead. Morocco
finished 3rd in its group and was eliminated.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-born Moroccan
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
professional footballer. He plays 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...
for 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...
. He originally played 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...
, but throughout his career he has also played as a fullback and as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
AS Nancy
Playing for US OrléansUS Orléans
Union Sportive Orléanaise Loiret Football is a French association football club based in Orléans. The club was founded in 1920 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third division of French football, having achieved promotion from the Championnat de France amateur in the 2009–10...
as a youngster, Zerka was signed by Nancy on the recommendation of his coach Jacques Quéré. He completed the final years of his apprenticeship at Nancy before making his debut in 2001. He debuted in a 4-0 home win against SM Caen
SM Caen
Stade Malherbe Caen is a professional French football team, playing in the city of Caen, Normandy. The club was founded on 17 November 1913 following the merger of Club Malherbe Caennais and Club Sportif Caennais...
, coming in as a late substitute in the 83rd minute.
Before finally signing professional forms (initially a three-year contract) with Nancy in August 2002, Zerka had made his debut for the Morocco national team
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
.
After playing in various positions over the years, Zerka proved effective in a forward role in Nancy's first season back in the top flight, scoring 6 goals in 24 appearances and continued in this position in 2006-07. He left AS Nancy
AS Nancy
Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine is a French association football club based in Nancy. The club was founded in 1967 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Nancy plays its home matches at the Stade Marcel Picot in Tomblaine, a commune located in the Arrondissement of...
in the summer of 2009, after playing 173 league matches for the club and scoring 17 goals. In Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
, he featured in 85 matches and scored 13 goals.
Zerka will be remember by AS Nancy
AS Nancy
Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine is a French association football club based in Nancy. The club was founded in 1967 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Nancy plays its home matches at the Stade Marcel Picot in Tomblaine, a commune located in the Arrondissement of...
supporters for scoring the first goal of AS Nancy
AS Nancy
Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine is a French association football club based in Nancy. The club was founded in 1967 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Nancy plays its home matches at the Stade Marcel Picot in Tomblaine, a commune located in the Arrondissement of...
in the Final of the 2006 Coupe de la Ligue. It was the first major trophy won by the club since the 1978 French Cup.
Nantes
On 31 August 2010 Zerka signed for Ligue 2Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
outfit FC Nantes. Zerka debuted for his new in a 2-1 home win against Racing Strasbourg. He also scored his first goal for Nantes in his debut. It was the 1-1 equalizer, scored in the 22nd minute of the match after an assist by Jean-Claude Darcheville
Jean-Claude Darcheville
Jean-Claude Ducan Darcheville is a former French footballer who played as a striker. He played for various clubs in France, England and Scotland. He spent the final two years of his career with Greek Super League side AO Kavala....
. He scored his second, and last, league goal for Nantes in the next match against SC Bastia
SC Bastia
Sporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
. It was scored in the 7th minute of the match and it was the opening goal, in a match that ended as an 1-1 draw. It was scored after an assist by Djamel Abdoun
Djamel Abdoun
Djamel Abdoun is an Algerian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Olympiacos.-Personal:...
. In the next season Zerka remained goalless for FC Nantes in the league
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
. He scored his only goal that season, in a French Cup
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
4-2 away defeat by US Boulogne
US Boulogne
Union Sportive de Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d'Opale is a French association football club based in the commune of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The club was founded in 1898 and currently plays in Ligue 2, the second of division of French football, having been relegated from Ligue 1 during the 2009–10 season.The...
. On 7 January 2011 Nantes' manager stated that he could be released by the club and that it would be better for both Nantes and Zerka to part ways. During his spell at FC Nantes Zerka featured in 35 Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
games, scoring 2 goals.
Iraklis
On 14 January 2011 Zerka signed a contract with Greek Superleague club Iraklis until the summer of 2012. He debuted for Iraklis on 23 January 2011, as he was in the starting line-up in a 3-0 away defetat by AO Kavala.New England Revolution
Zerka was released by Iraklis after their relegation from the Greek top flight, and he subsequently signed with 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...
club 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...
on August 18, 2011.
International career
Zerka, so far, has gained 12 full caps for MoroccoMorocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
, scoring 3 goals.
2004 Summer Olympics football tournament
Zerka was a member of the MoroccanMorocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
squad for the 2004 Summer Olympics football tournament
Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics started on 11 August, , and ended on 28 August.The men's tournament is played by U-23 national teams, with up to three over age players allowed per squad...
. He was a starter in Morocco's
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
first match, a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica
Costa Rica national football team
The Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Costa Rica is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States...
. In the second match, an 1-2 defeat by Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, Zerka was once again a starter, but he was substituted in the 72nd minute by Tajeddine Sami
Tajeddine Sami
Sami Tajeddine is a Moroccan football player who, , was playing for Raja Casablanca.He was part of the Moroccan 2004 Olympic football team, who exited in the first round, finishing third in group D, behind group winners Iraq and runners-up Costa Rica.-External links:...
. He watched Morocco's
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
third, and last, match in the tournament from the bench. The match ended up a 2-1 victory for Morocco
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
, its only victory in the tournament. Morocco
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
got 4 points, equal to those of Costa Rica
Costa Rica national football team
The Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Costa Rica is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States...
, but it was eliminated from the tournament, as it had scored less goals than Costa Rica
Costa Rica national football team
The Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Costa Rica is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States...
.
2008 African Cup of Nations
Zerka also featured in the MoroccoMorocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. In the opening match for Morocco
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
, he came in as a substitute for Youssouf Hadji
Youssouf Hadji
Youssouf Hadji is a Moroccan footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder, he currently plays for French club Rennes in Ligue 1.- Career :Hadji started his career at Nancy in Ligue 1 under the guidance of Laszlo Bölöni...
in the 70th minute. He managed to score a header for Morocco
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
4 minutes after his entrance in the game. It was his team's last goal in 1-5 devastation against Namibia
Namibia national football team
The Namibia national football team, nicknamed the Brave Warriors, is the national team of Namibia and is controlled by the Namibia Football Association...
and Zerka's first goal for the Atlas Lions
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
. He was a starter in his team's next match, a 3-2 defeat by Guinea
Guinea national football team
The Guinea national football team, nicknamed Syli national , is the national team of Guinea and is controlled by the Fédération Guinéenne de Football. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals, and their best finish in the African Nations Cup was second in the 1976...
, but he was substituted in the 80th minute by El Moubarki
Bouchaib El Moubarki
Bouchaib El Moubarki is a Moroccan footballer. He currently plays for Raja Casablanca.-Club career:He also played for the famous Qatari side, Al-Sadd Sports Club and Grenoble....
. In the next match Morocco
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
had to compete against host nation Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
. Zerka came in as a substitute for Aboucherouane in the 55th minute of the match, but he was unable to help his team overturn Ghana's
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
2-0 lead. Morocco
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
finished 3rd in its group and was eliminated.
Nancy
- Ligue 2Ligue 2Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
(1)- Winner: 2004-05
- Coupe de la LigueCoupe de la LigueThe Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
- Winner (1): 2006