We continue to honor some of the #USMNT’s many #HispanicHeroes.
Today: @HugoPerez_07
Born in , Hugo moved to the with his family at age 11, gained his citizenship in 1982, and first represented the U.S. at the 1983 FIFA U-20 World Cup. (1/8)
Today: @HugoPerez_07
Born in , Hugo moved to the with his family at age 11, gained his citizenship in 1982, and first represented the U.S. at the 1983 FIFA U-20 World Cup. (1/8)
Pérez debuted for the #USMNT in a 0-0 draw with on May 30, 1984, and he went on to play for the at that year’s Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Here, Hugo is seen with legendary striker @GaryLineker, following a 1985 friendly in LA. (2/8)
Here, Hugo is seen with legendary striker @GaryLineker, following a 1985 friendly in LA. (2/8)
Hugo had a penchant for big moments against .
In a 1988 Olympic qualifier, he scored two goals in a 4-2 win in San Salvador.
In 1990 #WCQ he scored this goal in a crucial 1-0 win on Sept. 17, 1989, becoming the first #USMNT player to score against his birth country. (3/8)
In a 1988 Olympic qualifier, he scored two goals in a 4-2 win in San Salvador.
In 1990 #WCQ he scored this goal in a crucial 1-0 win on Sept. 17, 1989, becoming the first #USMNT player to score against his birth country. (3/8)
The 1989 @FIFAWorldCup qualifier vs. was played in the neutral site of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Hugo dedicated the game-winning goal to his grandfather who drove seven hours from El Salvador to see the match. (4/8)
Hugo dedicated the game-winning goal to his grandfather who drove seven hours from El Salvador to see the match. (4/8)
And while injury ultimately kept him from making the 1990 @FIFAWorldCup roster, he returned to the team the following year, helping the win the inaugural 1991 @GoldCup. (5/8)
Always a focal point of the attack, Pérez was also probably the ’s first dead ball specialist.
Three of his 13 #USMNT goals came from free kicks, like this one on April 4, 1992 vs. .
Three more came from penalties.
Three of his eight assists came on set pieces. (6/8)
Three of his 13 #USMNT goals came from free kicks, like this one on April 4, 1992 vs. .
Three more came from penalties.
Three of his eight assists came on set pieces. (6/8)
Ten years after making his #USMNT debut, Pérez finally got to a @FIFAWorldCup in 1994, making the roster, and starting the Round of 16 match vs. eventual champs .
He played his last #USMNT match that September, finishing with 73 caps, 13 goals & 8 assists. (7/8)
He played his last #USMNT match that September, finishing with 73 caps, 13 goals & 8 assists. (7/8)
Recognizing his long contributions to the game in the , in 2008 @HugoPerez_07 was inducted into the @SoccerHoF.
He would later coach the U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team.
Gracias, Hugo! (8/8)
#HispanicHeroes
He would later coach the U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team.
Gracias, Hugo! (8/8)
#HispanicHeroes