Amado Guevara
Who was Amado Guevara?
Honduran attacking midfielder who captained the national team at the 2010 World Cup and earned 131 caps. He played professionally in Major League Soccer for the New York Red Bulls and Chivas USA.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Amado Guevara (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Amado Guevara was born on May 2, 1976, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. As a talented attacking midfielder, he became one of the most celebrated figures in Honduran football, earning 131 international caps and captaining the national team. He ranks second in all-time appearances for Honduras, just behind Maynor Figueroa. He played for his country across different football generations, providing leadership both on and off the field.
Guevara spent a large part of his club career in Major League Soccer, where he stood out as one of the league's top midfielders. He played for the New York Red Bulls and Chivas USA, gaining recognition for his creativity and goal-scoring skills. In 2004, he won both the Landon Donovan MVP Award and the MLS Scoring Champion Award, becoming one of the few players in league history to win both in the same season. His performance during that time boosted his reputation throughout North and Central American football.
Internationally, Guevara was a key player for the Honduras national team for over a decade. A major highlight was at the 2001 Copa América in Colombia, where he was named Best Player of the tournament. This achievement brought him to the attention of football fans in South America and beyond. He continued playing for Honduras through the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where he captained the team during their first World Cup appearance since 1982, a significant moment for the country.
After retiring as a player, Guevara moved into football management. He was the head coach of the Puerto Rico national team from 2018 to 2019, starting his career in international management and using the experience from his long professional career. His shift to coaching showed a dedication to the growth of football in the Caribbean and Central American region.
Before Fame
Guevara grew up in Tegucigalpa at a time when Honduran football was trying to establish a stronger presence internationally. Honduras had only played in one World Cup in 1982 and then missed several tournaments, leaving young talent in the country with limited chances to play professionally abroad. Guevara developed his skills in this setting, focusing on the technical abilities and vision that would later become his trademarks.
In the early days of his career, he made his mark in Central American club football before catching the eye of scouts, eventually leading him to Major League Soccer in the United States. When he arrived, MLS was still new, having been founded in 1996. The addition of skilled players from the Americas helped improve the league's competition level. Guevara's talent shone in that environment, and his professional progress matched Honduras's growing ambitions in international football.
Key Achievements
- Named Best Player of the 2001 Copa América held in Colombia
- Won the Landon Donovan MVP Award in Major League Soccer in 2004
- Won the MLS Scoring Champion Award in 2004
- Earned 131 caps for Honduras, second highest in national team history
- Captained Honduras at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa
Did You Know?
- 01.Guevara was named Best Player of the 2001 Copa América, an award that placed him among the most distinguished individual performers in that tournament's history.
- 02.He won both the MLS Scoring Champion Award and the Landon Donovan MVP Award in the same season, 2004, a double distinction that few players have achieved.
- 03.He captained Honduras at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, their first appearance at the tournament in 28 years.
- 04.With 131 international caps, Guevara is the second most-capped player in Honduras national team history, behind Maynor Figueroa.
- 05.After retiring as a player, he became the head coach of the Puerto Rico national team, serving in that role from 2018 to 2019.
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Landon Donovan MVP Award | 2004 | — |
| MLS Scoring Champion Award | 2004 | — |