Juan Carlos Toja (born May 24, 1985 in Bogotá, Colombia) is a Colombian soccer player who plays for Steaua Bucharest from Romania.
Toja started his soccer career in Colombian tournament Interclubes (played amongst select country clubs) in the Clan MacGregor team, playing alongside retired professional player Lucas Jaramillo. Joined Colombian Santa Fe at age 16, playing for the club’s U-19 team for six months, was promoted to the first team in early 2004, where he played 25 games in the next two seasons.
Argentina
He signed with Argentine giant River Plate following the tournament but struggled to break into the first team and has yet to debut for the full Colombia squad. Played 5 games in the Copa Libertadores Tournament for River Plate, scoring once played in only three Torneo Verano games was loaned to River Plate from Santa Fe in January 2006.
USA
In February 2007, after sending a highlight video to FC Dallas and impressing in a tryout in Brazil, Toja signed with Major League Soccer.With his electric play and flashy style (topped off with an impressive hairdo – allegedly an homage to Jim Morrison, the late lead singer of The Doors), Toja has quickly became a fan favorite in Dallas. Scored his first MLS goal, the game-winner, in 2-1 win at Kansas City Wizards on 5/12, Tallied another game-winner in 2-1 win at Chicago Fire on 5/17.
Scored his fourth goal in 1-0 victory at Colorado Rapids on 6/23, his team-leading third game-winner; Scored two in historic comeback at D.C. United on 7/14 and earned in the Week 15 the MLS Player of the Week honors for his effort. Was named to the Major League Soccer All-Star Game, starting and scoring the second goal of the MLS team’s 2-0 win over Celtic F.C. on 7/19 in Colorado.
Started all three SuperLiga matches and tallied a goal and an assist. Left U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal game vs. Charleston at halftime on 8/7 with a sprained ankle, which kept him out for the next two regular season games. Missed 9/15 game at New England Revolution due to sprained right ankle. Returned to play full 90 minutes on 9/20 in 1-1 tie with Chicago Fire. Started 27 regular season games, finishing second on the team with 6 goals. Appeared in all 4 U.S. Open Cup games and all 3 SuperLiga games, scoring once vs. Los Angeles Galaxy on 7/31 in SuperLiga match. His 34 appearances in all competitions tied for second on the team with Arturo Alvarez and Drew Moor.
His production fell after the All-Star Game as he received an ankle injury and struggled to find consistency. The season was considered a success and FC Dallas purchased Toja from Independiente Santa Fe. [1]
Colombia National Team
He played with the Colombian U-20 national team at the 2005 South American Youth Championship, which Colombia hosted and won. Toja then competed at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in Holland, helping Colombia to the Round of 16 before losing to eventual champion Argentina. Toja appeared in three of the team’s four games, once as a substitute, including a start against Argentina.
His family sustained a tragedy when brother Sebastian, one year younger, was involved in an accident that claimed his life when Juan was 14 years old, also played volleyball as a youth has had long hair any chance he’s had…though at school he was not permitted to have long hair, would grow it out while on vacation before getting it cut for school each year…is a fan of a variety of music, especially rock with his favorite performer being the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Police and Soda Stereo also likes salsa music. His grandfather on his dad’s side, also named Juan Carlos Toja, was born in Uruguay and played professional soccer in his country for C.A. Peñarol later moved to Colombia and played for Independiente Medellín and Cucuta Deportivo grandfather on mother’s side – Victor Vega, is Colombian and played professionally for Santa Fe, Millonarios and was a member of the Colombia National Team.
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