Carlos Valdés

A prototypical center back, Carlos Valdés originally joined the Union on loan from Independiente Sante Fe on Jan. 20, 2011. After missing the entire 2013 season, and most of the 2014 season, Valdes officially re-joined the team by being called back from loan on Aug. 4, in addition to signing a contract extension.

2014: Re-joined the Union from loan on Aug. 4 after representing Colombia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In Philadelphia, he was a permanent fixture in the lineup upon return, making eight starts for the Union as the team shored up its defense allowing just 11 goals in those games. He made a crucial double-block against D.C. United, twice denying D.C. on the goal line.

2013: On January 15^, Valdes was sent on loan to Independiente Santa Fe for the length of the Liga Postobon Primera A season.

2012: Played and started 33 games, logging 2923 minutes. Valdes became team captain after Danny Califf was traded on May 17. Scored his first goal at PPL Park on July 14 against the Montreal Impact. Valdes was called up for International duty to play for his native Colombia in two World Cup Qualifying games. This was his first appearance with the Colombian national team since 2010.  He was named to the MLS All-Star Team for the game against Chelsea at PPL Park.

2011: On Jan. 20, Carlos Valdes was loaned to Philadelphia Union from Independiente Sante Fe. On August 5, Philadelphia Union secured Valdes' full rights. He started 32 regular season games and both postseason matches, logging a total of 3,060 minutes. His first and only goal came in a 3-0 win at NE Revolution on July 7. He helped anchor a back line that allowed an MLS-best 3.05 shots on goal.

2009-2010: Made 54 appearances for Club Santa Fe and scored one goal...Served as captain of the club and lead the team to the Colombian Cup title in 2009, beating Deportivo Pasto by a score of 3-1.

2005-2008: Made 97 appearances for America de Cali, scoring four goals...Became team captain and helped lead his team to the Torneo Finalizacion in 2008, beating Independiente Medellin  by a score of 1-0 in the first game and 3-1 in the second game.

2005: Began his career with Real Cartagena and appeared in 33 league matches… Played on a defense that allowed 20 goals in total throughout the season.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE: Was a member of Colombian national team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. There, he helped lead the team to its first quarterfinal appearance in federation history. He started a game against Japan in which the team won 4-1. He also helped the Colombian Men’s National Team win the U-20 South-American Cup in 2005 and the Central American and Caribbean Games the following year... After making his debut with the senior national squad in 2008, Valdes has been capped four times, scoring one goal… Competed at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, helping Colombia to the Round of 16 before losing to Argentina, the eventual champions.