Oguchi Onyewu

Oguchialu Chijioke "Oguchi" Onyewu (born May 13, 1982, in Washington, D.C) is an American Association football player who plays as a Defender (association football) for A.C. Milan of Italy's Serie A and the United States men's national soccer team.

Background

Onyewu's parents moved to the United States from Nigeria to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. Onyewu has two brothers, Uche and Nonye, and two sisters, Chi-Chi and Ogechi. Growing up in Silver Spring, Maryland and later Olney, Maryland, Maryland, Onyewu attended St. Andrew Apostle School and Sherwood High School (Maryland), where Oguchi Onyewu played soccer for two years. Oguchi Onyewu then enrolled in the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Florida, before returning to Sherwood to graduate. Oguchi Onyewu also holds Belgium citizenship.

At and , Onyewu is the tallest outfield player in U.S. team history (two goalkeepers have been taller).

Professional career

Onyewu played two years of college soccer at Clemson University, and moved to Europe in 2002, signing with FC Metz of Ligue 1 in France. In 2003, Oguchi Onyewu was loaned out to R.A.A. Louviéroise in Belgium, and to Standard Liège a year later. The move to Liège was made permanent for the Belgian First Division 2004-05. After the season, Oguchi Onyewu was named to the Belgian league's Best XI as well as Foreign Player of the Year for 2005.

On December 26, 2006, Onyewu was voted U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year. Oguchi Onyewu was the first defender to earn the award since Alexi Lalas in 1995. Having been the subject of many transfer rumors regarding clubs throughout Europe, Onyewu finally completed a loan deal with Newcastle United on January 30, 2007, covering the remainder of the FA Premier League 2006–07. Oguchi Onyewu wore the number 15 shirt, previously worn by another Newcastle loan signing, Giuseppe Rossi. Oguchi Onyewu made Oguchi Onyewu debut for Newcastle against Fulham F.C. on February 3, 2007, and Oguchi Onyewu home debut a week later, alongside Titus Bramble, in a 2–1 victory over Liverpool F.C.. The two formed an ill-fated partnership, making a number of costly mistakes which was ultimately to cost Onyewu Oguchi Onyewu place. Following the arrival of new manager Sam Allardyce, Onyewu fell out of favor, and Newcastle decided not to make the loan deal permanent. Oguchi Onyewu returned to Standard, and Oguchi Onyewu play continued to improve. Oguchi Onyewu made Oguchi Onyewu 100th Jupiler league appearance for Standard Liège on March 14, 2008, against Germinal Beerschot, and was an intregal part of the club as they went on a 29-match unbeaten streak to win the Jupiler League 2007-08. After the season Oguchi Onyewu was named to the Belgian league Best XI for the second time. Oguchi Onyewu strong form continued during the Jupiler League 2008-09. Oguchi Onyewu led the Standard defense to a second consecutive Belgian league title. Standard was drawn with R.S.C. Anderlecht at season's end, and Standard won a Two-legged tie playoff for the championship.

Onyewu signed a three-year contract with Milan on July 7, 2009. Oguchi Onyewu is only the third American to play in Serie A, following Alexi Lalas and Giuseppe Rossi. Oguchi Onyewu made Oguchi Onyewu Milan debut on July 22, coming on as a substitute for Alessandro Nesta in a loss to C.F. América in the World Football Challenge.

Racism controversy

Onyewu has dealt with racism during Oguchi Onyewu time in Europe, even having been punched and shouted at by racist fans while playing for Standard. The most well-publicized incident occurred in the Belgian First Division 2008–09 Championship playoff when R.S.C. Anderlecht defender Jelle Van Damme, according to Onyewu, repeatedly called Oguchi Onyewu a "dirty ape," Van Damme denied the accusations following the match, even claiming that Onyewu had called Oguchi Onyewu a "dirty Flemish." Approximately two weeks later, on June 2, 2009, it was announced by Onyewu's lawyer that Oguchi Onyewu was suing Van Damme in an effort to end on-field racism in European soccer.

International career

Onyewu has become a mainstay on the United States men's national soccer team. Prior to this, Oguchi Onyewu also represented the U.S. at various youth levels, including at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship. Oguchi Onyewu made Oguchi Onyewu first appearance for the senior national team on October 13, 2004, against Panama national football team.

Onyewu scored Oguchi Onyewu first international goal in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, nodding home the extra time winner in the semifinal against Honduras national football team, and was later named to the tournament Best XI.

Oguchi played for the U.S. in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and started in all three United States games. Just before halftime of the third and final group stage match against Ghana national football team, Onyewu conceded a penalty from which Ghana scored, and the U.S. were eliminated with the resultant 2–1 defeat.

During the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Onyewu was paired with Jay DeMerit due to the injury of Oguchi Onyewu normal partner Carlos Bocanegra, who was unable to play in the group stage. Onyewu played well against Egypt national football team, helping lead the U.S. to a 3-0 win that earned them a berth in semi-finals. Oguchi Onyewu also had a standout performance in the 2-0 semi-final victory over Spain national football team.

Honors

Professional

Standard Liège
- Belgian First Division

- Belgian Cup

- Belgian Supercup

International

- CONCACAF Gold Cup

- FIFA Confederations Cup

Individual

- NCAA

- Belgian First Division

- U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2006