Defender
Marcelo Balboa
6' 1"
Biography of USMNT soccer player and National Soccer Hall of Famer Marcelo Balboa who played in three World Cups.
Caps: 127 | Goals: 13
With 130 international appearances, Marcelo Balboa was the heart of the USMNT defense through most of the 1990s, earning the nickname Iron Man. He is one of only two players to win US Soccer’s Male Athlete of the Year award twice, and the Colorado Rapids veteran was honored for scoring the MLS Goal of the Year in 2000 for a brilliant bicycle kick against the Columbus Crew.
However, it is probably a bicycle kick that went just wide against Colombia in the 1994 World Cup for which Balboa is most recognized. It may be fitting that he is known best for what he has done with the USMNT, a side the he often captained in the mid ’90s and competed with in three World Cups.
Balboa has continued his career in the game, working as a broadcaster and as soccer ambassador for the Colorado Rapids. He was elected to The National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.
He served as the top analyst for ESPN/ABC during the 2006 World Cup, working alongside Dave O’Brien. Balboa currently works as a commentator on Univision broadcasts and coaches high school soccer in Colorado.
USMNT Experience
2003
Honored with star at the U.S. Soccer Star Plaza at Home Depot Center.
2000
Played in his final game with the USMNT.
1999
Played in two games.
1998
Part of the World Cup squad.
1995
Captained the U.S. squad to a semifinal appearance in the 1995 Copa America.
1995
Became the first U.S. player to acquire 100 caps on June 11, 1995, scoring a goal in a 3-2 win over Nigeria.
1994
Played every minute of every game for the U.S. in the 1994 World Cup.
1994
Named U.S. Soccer's Chevrolet Male Athlete of the Year award for the second time.
1992
Named U.S. Soccer's Chevrolet Male Athlete of the Year.
1991
Scored two goals in the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup, including a spectacular bicycle kick against Trinidad & Tobago.
1990
Played in all three games for the U.S. in the 1990 World Cup.
1990
Scored his first full international goal against Liechtenstein on May 30, 1990.
1988
Earned his first cap against Guatemala on January 10, 1988.
Professional Experience
2002
Traded to the Metrostars in January for a third round draft pick. Retired after a single appearance with the MetroStars.
2001
Collected five goals and a career-high six assists, becoming the first defender in league history to notch 20 goals and 20 assists (24 goals, 23 assists) in a career
2000
Scored the Goal of the Year in MLS for a bicycle kick that found the net against Columbus.
2000
Was selected to the MLS All Star game for the fifth season in a row, though he only played in four of them as he missed the '96 game due to injury.
1997
Led the Rapids to a second-place finish in the 1997 MLS Cup.
1996
Joined the Colorado Rapids in MLS' inaugural year, scoring seven goals in just 18 games in a season that was marred by injury.
1996
Led Mexican First Division side Leon to the Mexican league playoffs.
1995
Signed with Leon and helped them stave off relegation.
1992
Won the American Professional Soccer League championship as a member of the Colorado Foxes.
