With Wigan Athletic changing manager again and on the brink
of relegation to League One, we thought we’d take a look back at one of their
FA Cup winning heroes.
As Gary Caldwell was taking the hot seat at the Latics, his
former team mate helped Sporting Kansas City to their remarkable
comeback at the weekend.
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| Espinoza in his Wigan Athletic days |
Factfile:
Full Name: Roger Aníbal Espinoza Ramírez
Date of Birth: 25/10/1986
Nationality: Honduran
Height: 1.80m
Clubs: Wigan Athletic, Sporting Kansas City*
Club Appearances: 153*
Club Goals: 5*
International Appearances: 42*
International Goals: 4*
Honours:
Lamar Hunt US Open Cup 2012
FA Cup 2012/13
The Early Years:
Born in Puerto Cortés, Espinoza moved from his native
Honduras to Denver, Colorado when he was aged 12.
He played two years of college soccer at Yavapai College,
spending the 2006 season with the Arizona Sahuaros of the National Premier
Soccer League – regarded as the fourth tier.
But the wing back decided against finishing his senior year
in college, instead signing a Generation Adidas contract with Major League
Soccer.
The programme encourages early entry, without college
graduation, of home-grown players into the league – the likes of Tim Howard and
Clint Dempsey took the same path.
Making The Breakthrough:
Espinoza, then 21, was selected with the 11th overall pick
of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by the Kansas City Wizards – who rebranded as
Sporting Kansas City two years later.
The Honduran, who can also play in defensive midfield, became a mainstay of the team and went on to make 22 appearances in his rookie season.
His performances were also recognised on the international stage when he was called up for the 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup held in his native Honduras.
Having scored the winner in the 3rd place play-off, he clearly made an impression and was selected for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Honduran, who can also play in defensive midfield, became a mainstay of the team and went on to make 22 appearances in his rookie season.
His performances were also recognised on the international stage when he was called up for the 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup held in his native Honduras.
Having scored the winner in the 3rd place play-off, he clearly made an impression and was selected for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
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| The Honduran in action against England last summer |
Taste Of Silverware:
Having spent five seasons in Kansas, Espinoza capped off his
time by winning the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in his final season with the
franchise.
They overcame defending champions Seattle Sounders in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, where the Honduran actually missed his side’s second spot kick.
At the end of the MLS campaign he moved on a free transfer to Wigan, making his debut in January 2013 before scoring his first goal against Swansea that May.
But Espinoza’s true moment of glory for Athletic came days later, when he played the whole 90 minutes of their famous FA Cup win over mega-rich Manchester City.
They overcame defending champions Seattle Sounders in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, where the Honduran actually missed his side’s second spot kick.
At the end of the MLS campaign he moved on a free transfer to Wigan, making his debut in January 2013 before scoring his first goal against Swansea that May.
But Espinoza’s true moment of glory for Athletic came days later, when he played the whole 90 minutes of their famous FA Cup win over mega-rich Manchester City.
Back To Where It Began:
From the heights of Wembley, Wigan were brought crashing
down just three days later as their relegation from the Premier League was
confirmed with defeat to Arsenal.
Despite playing Championship level football, the Honduran remained in his country’s plans and represented the Central American nation at the 2014 World Cup.
But after returning from Brazil he saw his game time limited in the 2014/15 campaign and both parties agreed to end his stay in December.
Espinoza decided to return to Sporting Kansas City ahead of the 2015 MLS season, but no details of the length of his contract were revealed.
Despite playing Championship level football, the Honduran remained in his country’s plans and represented the Central American nation at the 2014 World Cup.
But after returning from Brazil he saw his game time limited in the 2014/15 campaign and both parties agreed to end his stay in December.
Espinoza decided to return to Sporting Kansas City ahead of the 2015 MLS season, but no details of the length of his contract were revealed.
What’s Next:
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| The returning hero in action against New York Red Bulls |
Upon his January arrival, Espinoza stated his ambition to win
more trophies with the side that crept into the post-season last year.
The 28-year-old is one of Sporting’s most experienced
players and Manager Peter Vermes will be hoping he can guide some of the
younger players in the squad.
It is also an important year for the left-sided player on
the international stage, with Honduras in CONCACAF Gold Cup action this summer.
Images courtesy of Clive Brunskill, Joel Auerbach and brent flanders, with thanks.
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