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Benji Joya
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Héctor Benjamín "Benji" Joya Jiménez (born September 22, 1993) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder.
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Santos Laguna
[edit]Joya, who is of Mexican descent grew up in the Bay Area of California, played in the USSF Development Academy for De Anza Force. In early 2012, he joined Santos Laguna's organization. He began playing during the 2012 Clausura with the club's U-20 team. In September 2012, the midfielder made his first team debut in a Liga MX match.[2]
Chicago Fire
[edit]Joya was loaned to Chicago Fire with an option to buy ahead of the 2014 MLS season. In the 2014 season opener, he made his MLS debut as a 63rd-minute substitute with his side was down 2–0. Seconds after making his way onto the field, a shot deflected by the Chivas USA keeper landed in front of him. He scored a left-footed shot inside the six yard box to put the Fire on the board, making it 2–1. That was Joya's first MLS touch and only league goal of the season.[3]
Club Necaxa
[edit]Joya was loaned to Necaxa of the Ascenso MX for 2015–16.
Sporting Kansas City
[edit]Joya signed with Sporting Kansas City on September 15, 2016, before the MLS roster freeze.[4]
Irapuato
[edit]On January 10, 2018, Joya signed with Mexican club Irapuato.[5]
Oakland Roots SC
[edit]In April 2019, Joya signed with NISA expansion club Oakland Roots SC.[6] He played in six of the team's games during both the Fall and Spring seasons. On September 8, 2019, Joya scored his first goal for Oakland against Liga MX side FC Juárez in an international friendly at Laney College, which the Roots lost 4–2.[7]
On April 16, 2020, while the NISA season was on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Joya was released from Oakland following an arrest the previous day.[8]
International career
[edit]Joya was a member of the United States U-20 squad at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 List of Players: United States" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. June 23, 2013. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 27, 2013.
- ^ Sciaretta, Brian (September 26, 2012). "Joya, a Promising U.S. Player, Makes a Mark in Mexico". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
- ^ "Benji Joya RELEASE: Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires Midfielder Benji Joya". Chicago Fire. Archived from the original on January 5, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
- ^ Stephenson, Colin. "Sporting Kansas City sign former US U-20 midfielder Benji Joya". MLS Soccer. Archived from the original on June 3, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
- ^ Former U.S. U-23 international Benji Joya signs with Irapuato FC Archived August 26, 2018, at the Wayback Machine‚ sbisoccer.com, 10 January 2018
- ^ Zimmerman, Douglas. ""I am ready for this." Former U.S. U-20 captain Benji Joya joins Oakland Roots". SFGate. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (September 9, 2019). "Oakland Roots receive reality check against Liga MX's FC Juarez". SFGate. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ Roots, Oakland (April 16, 2020). "OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Today, the Oakland Roots were disappointed to learn that midfielder Benji Joya was arrested in San Jose on Wednesday. Therefore, the Club has decided to release him.The Roots will have no further comment on this issue given the ongoing investigation". @oaklandrootssc. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "U-20 World Cup Spotlight: Midfielder Benji Joya - U.S. Soccer". Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-05.