Carlos Mercado
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jose Carlos Mercado[1] | ||
| Date of birth | September 27, 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Laredo, Texas, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Orlando City | ||
| Number | 99 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014–2017 | FC Dallas Academy | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2019 | Incarnate Word Cardinals | 31 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018 | Des Moines Menace | 7 | (0) |
| 2019 | Laredo Heat | ||
| 2019 | Corpus Christi FC | 1 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | San Antonio FC | 1 | (0) |
| 2023 | San Antonio FC | 1 | (0) |
| 2024– | Orlando City B | 19 | (0) |
| 2024– | Orlando City | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| United States U16 | |||
| Mexico U18 | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 6, 2024 | |||
Jose Carlos Mercado (born September 27, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Orlando City in Major League Soccer. Mercado also represented Mexico at a youth level.
Youth and college career
[edit]Mercado joined the FC Dallas Academy in 2014 and participated in the Dallas Cup's 2015, 2016, and 2017 editions, including winning the 2017 edition.[3] Mercado also participated in multiple U.S. Soccer Development Academy championships, including winning the 2014–15 and 2015–16 U-15/16 championships with the academy.[4][5]
In 2018, Mercado began playing college soccer at the University of the Incarnate Word. Mercado made 15 appearances in the 2018 season, making his debut against the Saint Mary's Gaels in a 6–0 loss on August 24.[6] In 2019, Mercado recorded his first college shutout in a 1–0 win against the Liberty Flames on September 1.[7][8]
Club career
[edit]Des Moines Menace
[edit]On May 9, 2018, Mercado was announced to be on USL League Two (then the Premier Development League) side Des Moines Menace's roster.[9] Mercado made his debut on June 1 in a 2–1 win over Kaw United FC and he recorded his first shutout on June 10 in a 3–0 victory over FC Manitoba.[10][11] Des Moines finished first in the regular season with zero losses and one draw in the Heartland Division with the highest points total in the league, with Mercado only conceding half of Des Moines' six conceded goals.[12] Mercado played in both of Des Moines' playoffs matches, but the club was defeated 1–0 by Chicago FC United in the Central Conference Final.[13][14]
Laredo Heat
[edit]On March 21, 2019, Mercado joined Laredo Heat in the National Premier Soccer League.[15]
Corpus Christi FC
[edit]Mercado joined Corpus Christi FC in USL League Two for the 2019 season. Mercado made one appearance for the club when he played half of an 8–1 loss to Brazos Valley Cavalry FC on June 1 in which he conceded half of those goals.[16][17]
San Antonio FC
[edit]On March 6, 2020, Mercado joined San Antonio FC in the USL Championship.[18] Mercado made one appearance for the club and made his professional debut when he came on as a 62nd-minute substitute for Matt Cardone on October 31, 2021 after Cardone sustained an injury in a 3–0 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.[19] Mercado was let go at the end of the 2021 USL Championship season, but he rejoined the club on February 14, 2023 for the 2023 USL Championship season. Mercado made just two appearances in this stint with the club, a 2–1 win over Club de Lyon on April 4 in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup and a 3–1 win over Birmingham Legion on July 1 before once again departing the club at the end of the season.[20][21][22][23]
Orlando City B
[edit]On March 15, 2024, Mercado was announced to be part of Orlando City B's 2024 MLS Next Pro season roster.[24] On March 16, Mercado made his debut for Orlando City B in the season opener at Atlanta United 2 in a 3–2 victory, playing the full match.[25] On August 11, Mercado recorded his first clean sheet in a goalless draw against Crown Legacy FC.[26] On October 20, Mercado made his MLS Next Pro playoffs debut in a 1–1 draw at Chicago Fire II, but he was unable to stop any of Chicago's penalties in the ensuing shootout and Orlando City B were eliminated 5–4 on penalties.[27]
Orlando City
[edit]On September 20, 2024, Mercado was signed to a First Team contract with Orlando City through 2024 with options for 2025, 2026, and 2027.[28]
Personal life
[edit]Mercado is the uncle of fellow professional soccer player Sebastian Mercado and played alongside him at San Antonio FC.[18]
International career
[edit]Youth
[edit]Mercado has played for the United States at the U16 level and Mexico at the U18 level.[23]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played October 20, 2024
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Playoffs | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Des Moines Menace | 2018 | Premier Development League | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Laredo Heat | 2019 | National Premier Soccer League | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Corpus Christi FC | 2019 | USL League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| San Antonio FC | 2020 | USL Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Total | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Orlando City B | 2024 | MLS Next Pro | 19 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| Orlando City | 2024 | Major League Soccer | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career total | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 | ||
Honors
[edit]FC Dallas Academy
- Dallas Cup: 2017
- U.S. Soccer Development Academy Boys' U-15/16 championship: 2014–15 & 2015–16
Des Moines Menace
- Premier Development League regular season title: 2018
References
[edit]- ^ "United States – C. Mercado – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway".
- ^ "Jose Carlos Mercado". Orlando City SC. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ Kroeger, Garrett (March 21, 2019). "The Heat sign local goalkeeper Mercado". Laredo Morning Times. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ "Carlos Mercado". FC Dallas. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Soccer Development Academy Champions List". SoccerWire. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Men's Soccer vs Saint Mary's on 8/24/2018". Incarnate Word Cardinals. August 24, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Men's Soccer vs Liberty on 9/1/2019". Incarnate Word Cardinals. September 1, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Carlos Mercado - Men's Soccer - University of the Incarnate Ward". Incarnate Word Cardinals. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Announcing the Menace's 2018 roster". Des Moines Menace. May 22, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Des Moines Menace at Kaw Valley FC - 2018 Regular Season". USL League Two. June 1, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Des Moines Menace at FC Manitoba - 2018 Regular Season". USL League Two. June 10, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Standings - 2018 Regular Season". USL League Two. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Des Moines Menace - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - # - Carlos Mercado". USL League Two. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Chicago FC United at Des Moines Menace - 2018 Playoffs". USL League Two. July 21, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Ortiz, Edith (March 21, 2019). "Heat Announce Signing of Local Player to 2019 NPSL Roster". Laredo Heat. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Corpus Christi FC - 2019 Regular Season - Statistics". USL League Two. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C. at Corpus Christi FC - 2019 Regular Season". USL League Two. June 1, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "San Antonio FC signs goalkeeper Carlos Mercado". San Antonio FC. March 6, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "San Antonio 3–0 Colorado". ESPN. October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado returns to San Antonio FC". USL Championship. February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "San Antonio vs. Club de Lyon - 5 April 2023". Soccerway. April 5, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "San Antonio 3–1 Birmingham (Jul 1, 2023)". ESPN. July 1, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Rollins, Sean (September 20, 2024). "Orlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado". The Mane Land. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Orlando City B announces complete roster and coaching staff for 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Season". Orlando City B. March 15, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Atlanta United II vs. Orlando City B - 16 March 2024". Soccerway. March 16, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Match Report: Orlando City B and Crown Legacy FC play to 0-0 draw". Orlando City B. August 11, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Match Report: Orlando City B eliminated by Chicago Fire FC II in penalty-kick shootout". Orlando City B. October 20, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Orlando City SC signs goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to First Team deal". Orlando City. September 20, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.