After three successful years at UCLA, Carlos left the collegiate ranks to join MLS in 2000, where he was drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Fire. Despite making the jump from the amateur ranks to the professional level, Carlos had little trouble making an immediate impact by starting 27 of 32 games.
During his rookie campaign, he not only won the MLS Rookie of the year, but also helped his team to the US Open Cup title and a runner-up finish in the MLS Cup.
After a sparkling first season as a professional, the strong left-footed center back made himself a fixture in the Fire lineup, helping the club to become one of the powers in the league.
He earned the Defender of the Year award in both 2002 and 2003, playing 87 games with five goals and eight assists during his four years with the Fire.
Before the start of his fifth campaign for the Fire, Bocanegra caught the attention of Fulham FC of the English Premiership with his good play at both the club and international levels.
In the middle of an backline injury crisis in late 2003, the club signed the out-of-contract Southern California native to a three-and-a-half year deal.
He made his debut for the club in a 3-1 loss at Newcastle on January 19, 2004, going the full 90 minutes. Bocanegra was impressive in his early play for the club and quickly established himself at the London club, playing as a left back as opposed to his usual role in the center.
Bocanegra scored his first goal for Fulham against Portsmouth in August of 2004, albeit in a losing cause. He ended the season having started in 31 of his 33 appearances.
The defender struggled with injuries in 2005/2006, but rebounded during the 2006-2007 campaign to become the team's second leading scorer with five goals behind fellow American Brian McBride.
The 2007-2008 season started off as a special one for Bocanegra as he was named team captain for the first time in an early September match against Tottenham. Later that month, he made his 100th appearance for the club against Wigan Athletic. That same season turned bittersweet for Bocanegra as he was released in May of 2008 by Fulham.
Just a month later Bocanegra was quickly scooped up by French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais. The defender has been a mainstay for the French side all season long helping their chances for European play next season.
International Career
Bocanegra began his career with the US National Team at the youth level in 1999, playing every minute for the Under-20's in the World Youth Championships in Nigeria. After an impressive start to his club career, he was called up to the senior team and made his debut in a 1-0 loss to South Korea on December 9, 2001.
Early the next year, he played in all five games of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, helping the US team to the title. Despite his solid play, he was left off the World Cup roster, but has since solidified his place in the US backline.
Playing in has familiar central defensive position, he has managed to become a set piece scoring threat for the team. Bocanegra notched four international goals in 2003, and added a goal and three assists in 10 games in 2004.
Bocanegra then had a goal and two assists in 11 starts to help the US clinch a fifth consecutive World Cup place and played 180 minutes of their World Cup campaign in Germany.
Since the 2006 World Cup, Bocanegra has assumed a leadership role on the U.S. National Team. He was named captain for the first time in a 2007 friendly against China and in 2008 was selected as the first choice captain of the national team, a distinction he presently holds.
Eric fesses up that he preferred watching the World Cup in the land of the champions and asks... Can US soccer grip our hearts?
Jack feels that it is time for Americans to become proactive about its soccer and stop being... A soccer nation on the fence
Eric Wynalda's free kick vs Switzerland '94
Earnie Stewart's finish vs Colombia '94
John O'Brien's opener vs Portugal '02
Brian McBride's diving header vs Portugal '02
Brian McBride's side-footed opener vs Mexico '02
Landon Donovan's header vs Mexico '02
Landon Donovan's roofer vs Slovenia '10
Michael Bradley's equalizer vs Slovenia '10
Other
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