Oguchi Onyewu

PRONUNCIATION

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

2017 (Philadelphia): Onyewu made 22 appearances (22 starts) at centerback in his first MLS campaign after joining the team as a Discovery Signing on January 30, 2017, scoring one goal ... he started the season opener at Vancouver (March 5), his club and League debut, and continued in the starting lineup for the home opener vs. Toronto FC (March 11) and in every Union match through the contest vs. Portland (April 8) ... was in the matchday 18 vs. New York City FC (April 14), vs. Montreal (April 22) and at LA Galaxy (April 29) but did not appear ... returned to the starting lineup with the nod vs. the New York Red Bulls (May 6), helping the Union keep a clean sheet as part of a 3-0 win ... continued in the starting lineup at D.C. United (May 13), helping the team keep another clean sheet while scoring his first goal of the season and in MLS as part of a 4-0 win ... started vs. Houston (May 17), contributing to the Union's record fourth straight shutout ... continued in the starting lineup vs. Colorado (May 20) and in every regular-season match through the contest at Montreal (July 19), including in the team's sixth clean sheet of the season, vs. D.C. United (June 24), and its seventh, vs. New England (July 2) ... was in the matchday 18 at Columbus (July 22) ... returned to the starting lineup vs. Columbus (July 26), helping the Union keep their eighth clean sheet of the season ... continued in the starting lineup at New England (July 29) and vs. FC Dallas (August 5) ... missed the match vs. Montreal with a groin injury (August 12) ... was in the matchday 18 at San Jose (August 19) ... returned to the starting lineup at Toronto (August 23) ... started at Minnesota (September 9) ... served a one-match suspension for yellow-card accumulation at New York (September 17) ... was in the matchday 18 vs. Chicago (September 23) ...returned to the starting lineup at Atlanta (September 27) ... was in the matchday 18 vs. Seattle (October 1), at Chicago (October 15) and vs. Orlando (October 22) ... did not appear in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, but was in the matchday 18 for the Round of 16 at the New York Red Bulls (June 28).

 

2014-15 (Charlton Athletic): Moving to Charlton Athletic, Onyewu made three additional Championship appearances with the club in the 2014-15 campaign.

 

2013-14: (Queens Park Rangers/Sheffield Wednesday): Onyewu joined Queens Park Rangers, but did not make an appearance. Midway through the year, he moved to Sheffield Wednesday, appearing 18 times in the Championship and once in the FA Cup.

 

2012-13 (Malaga): The defender was loaned to Malaga in Spain’s topflight for 2012-13, making two La Liga appearances, three UEFA Champions League appearances and four appearances in the Copa del Rey, scoring two goals.

 

2011-12 (Sporting CP): Onyewu returned to Milan following the expiration of his loan, and joined Sporting CP in Portugal. He made 17 appearances, with his Portuguese debut coming on September 10, 2011 against Pacos Ferreira. He also made five Europa League appearances as well as nine appearances in various Portuguese cup competitions.

 

2010-11 (AC Milan/FC Twente): The defender began the season with AC Milan but was loaned to Dutch club FC Twente midway through the year. He made eight appearances in the Eredivisie for Twente, as well as five Europa League appearances and one appearance in the Dutch Cup, a competition that Twente would go on to win for Onyewu’s third major professional club trophy.

 

2009-10 (AC Milan): Onyewu joined Italian giants AC Milan on a transfer ahead of the 2009-10 season. He missed the majority of the campaign following an injury, save for one appearance in the Group Stage of the UEFA Champions League against FC Zurich on September 30, 2009.

 

2008-09 (Standard Liege): In his fifth and final season with Standard Liege, Onyewu helped the club repeat as Belgian champions, finishing with a 24-5-5 record. He made 32 appearances in league play, totaling three goals and two assists. He also scored two goals as part of a 3-1 win over RSC Anderlecht to capture the Belgian Supercup. In addition, he made one UEFA Champions League qualification appearance as well as one Belgian Cup appearance and eight UEFA Cup appearances, scoring a goal.

 

2007-08 (Standard Liege): The defender returned to Standard Liege following the expiration of his loan with Newcastle, beginning his fourth season with the team. He made 33 appearances in 2007-08, scoring two goals and adding one assist. He helped Standard Liege to a 22-1-11 record on the season, finishing as Belgian champions. He also made five Belgian Cup appearances and three appearances in UEFA Cup play.

 

2006-07 (Standard Liege/Newcastle): Onyewu began the season with Standard Liege, totaling 15 league appearances, two UEFA Cup appearances, one Belgian Cup appearance, and one appearance in UEFA Champions League qualification. Midway through the campaign, he transferred to the English Premier League to join Newcastle United. He made his Premier League debut on February 3, 2007 against Fulham, and would record a total of 11 appearances in England that season.

 

2005-06 (Standard Liege): In his second season with Standard Liege, Onyewu registered 29 appearances with two goals and two assists, helping his club finish in second place to qualify for the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League. Onyewu also made six appearances in the Belgian Cup as Standard Liege made it all the way to the semifinals.

 

2004-05 (Standard Liege): After returning to Metz following the end of his loan spell, Onyewu transferred back to Belgium to join Standard Liege. He made 30 appearances for the club in the Belgian first division, totaling three goals and three assists. He also made six UEFA Cup appearances, scoring his first goal in that competition on December 16, 2004 against Athletic Bilbao.

 

2003-04: (Metz/La Louviere): Onyewu was loaned to Belgian topflight club La Louviere to begin the 2003-04 season. He appeared 22 times for the club in league play, scoring his first professional goal on February 27, 2007 against Standard Liege. He also appeared three times in the Belgian Cup and twice in the UEFA Cup.

 

2002-03 (Metz): The defender began his professional career by signing in France with Metz ahead of the 2002-03 campaign. He made three appearances in Ligue 2 that season, with his debut coming in a start on January 22, 2003 against FC Lorient.

 

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

A United States Men’s National Team veteran, Onyewu has made 69 caps for the Stars & Stripes, scoring six goals. His first tally came in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Honduras on July 21, 2005 at Giants Stadium. He was part of the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup squads.

 

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

 

Onyewu played for the Clemson Tigers for two seasons, in 2000 and 2001, finishing his career with 12 goals and 11 assists.

 

ACQUIRED

 

Philadelphia Union signed defender Oguchi Onyewu as a Discovery Signing on January 30, 2017.

 

Name: Oguchi Onyewu

Position: Defender

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 210

Born: May 13, 1982 in Olney, MD

Hometown: Olney, MD

Citizenship: United States, Belgium

Acquired: Philadelphia Union signed defender Oguchi Onyewu as a Discovery Signing on January 30, 2017.

Previous Experience: Charlton Athletic (2014-2015), Sheffield Wednesday (2014), Queens Park Rangers (2013-2014), Malaga (2012-2013), Sporting CP (2011-2013), Twente (2011), Milan (2009-2011), Newcastle (2007), Standard Liege (2004-2009), La Louviere (2003-2004), Metz (2002-2004)

 

PERSONAL

 

Onyewu’s favorite food is chicken. Away from the game, he likes to play Xbox and read. One of his secret talents is that he plays the piano. He is the fourth of five children, and his favorite vacation spot is anywhere warm with a relaxing beach.