Benji Joya

Héctor Benjamín "Benji" Joya Jiménez (born September 22, 1993) is an American soccer player.

Benji Joya
Personal information
Full name Héctor Benjamín Joya Jiménez
Date of birth (1993-09-22) September 22, 1993
Place of birth San Jose, California, United States
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2009–2011 De Anza Force
2011–2012 Santos Laguna
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2016 Santos Laguna 4 (0)
2014 → Chicago Fire (loan) 12 (1)
2015–2016 → Necaxa (loan) 2 (0)
2016 Sporting Kansas City 7 (0)
2018–2019 Irapuato 0 (0)
2019–2020 Oakland Roots 6 (0)
National team‡
2012–2013 United States U20 19 (4)
2014–2015 United States U23 4 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of March 17, 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of April 23, 2015

Club career

Santos Laguna

Joya, who 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.[1]

Chicago Fire

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.[2]

Club Necaxa

Joya was loaned to Club Necaxa of the Ascenso MX for 2015-16.

Sporting Kansas City

Joya signed with Sporting Kansas City on September 15, 2016, before the MLS roster freeze.[3]

Irapuato

On January 10, 2018, Joya signed with Mexican club Irapuato.[4]

Oakland Roots SC

In April 2019, Joya signed with NISA expansion club Oakland Roots SC.[5] 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.[6]

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.[7]

International career

Joya was a member of the United States U-20 squad at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[8]

References
  1. Sciaretta, Brian. "Joya, a Promising U.S. Player, Makes a Mark in Mexico". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  2. "Benji Joya RELEASE: Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires Midfielder Benji Joya". Chicago Fire. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  3. Stephenson, Colin. "Sporting Kansas City sign former US U-20 midfielder Benji Joya". MLS Soccer. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  4. Former U.S. U-23 international Benji Joya signs with Irapuato FC‚ sbisoccer.com, 10 January 2018
  5. Zimmerman, Douglas. ""I am ready for this." Former U.S. U-20 captain Benji Joya joins Oakland Roots". SFGate. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  6. Zimmerman, Douglas (September 9, 2019). "Oakland Roots receive reality check against Liga MX's FC Juarez". SFGate. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  7. 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. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)


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