Andy Najar
{{Short description|Honduran football player (born 1993)}}
{{family name hatnote|Najar|Rodríguez|lang=Spanish}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Andy Najar
| image = Andy Najar.jpg
| caption = Najar with Honduras in 2015
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|3|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = Choluteca, Honduras
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}}{{cite web |title=Andy Najar |url=https://www.dcunited.com/players/andy-najar/ |access-date=20 August 2022 |publisher=D.C. United}}
| position = Right-back, right-winger
| currentclub = Nashville SC
| clubnumber = 31
| youthyears1 = 2008–2010
| youthclubs1 = D.C. United
| years1 = 2010–2013
| clubs1 = D.C. United
| caps1 = 82
| goals1 = 10
| years2 = 2013
| clubs2 = → Anderlecht (loan)
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2013–2020
| clubs3 = Anderlecht
| caps3 = 126
| goals3 = 11
| years4 = 2020
| clubs4 = Los Angeles FC
| caps4 = 8
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2021–2023
| clubs5 = D.C. United
| caps5 = 70
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2024
| clubs6 = Olimpia
| caps6 = 35
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2025–
| clubs7 = Nashville SC
| caps7 = 7
| goals7 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2012
| nationalteam1 = Honduras U23
| nationalcaps1 = 7
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2011–
| nationalteam2 = Honduras
| nationalcaps2 = 53
| nationalgoals2 = 5
| medaltemplates =
| club-update = 17 April 2025
| nationalteam-update = 17 April 2025
}}
Andy Ariel Najar Rodríguez ({{IPAc-en|n|ə|ˈ|h|ɑːr}} {{respell|nə|HAR}};[http://www.dcunited.com/news/2010/03/andy-najar-signs-with-first-team "Andy Najar signs with first team", D.C. United press release, Monday, 22 March 2010.] {{IPA|es|naˈxaɾ|lang}}; born 16 March 1993) is a Honduran professional footballer who plays as a right-back for MLS club Nashville SC and the Honduras national team.
Early life
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=April 2023}}
Najar moved with his family from Honduras to the United States at the age of thirteen, settling in the Washington metropolitan area. Najar attended Thomas A. Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia and joined D.C. United's youth academy in 2008. During his time with the academy program, Najar received numerous awards and honours for his outstanding play at right back, being named to the USSF Development Academy Starting XI in 2009. He was also the leading scorer of the 2009 US Developmental Academy Finals in Los Angeles.
Club career
= D.C. United =
Najar signed a professional Generation Adidas contract with D.C. United on 22 March 2010. Once part of MLS, the league and his team became responsible for his education.{{cite news|title=DC United Signs 17-Year-Old Honduran Andy Najar from Youth System|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/367966-17-year-old-honduras-native-comes-through-dc-united-youth-system|access-date=11 December 2015|work=Bleacher Report|date=23 March 2010}} He became the second player to graduate directly from United's Academy to the first team, following goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who signed in September 2009. File:Andy-najar.jpg
Najar made his professional debut on 27 March 2010, in DC's opening game of the 2010 MLS season against the Kansas City Wizards.{{cite news| url=http://stats.cbc.ca/mls/boxscore.asp?gamecode=2010032706&season=2010-1 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721224758/http://stats.cbc.ca/mls/boxscore.asp?gamecode=2010032706&season=2010-1 | url-status=dead | archive-date=21 July 2011 |title=MLS Boxscore| publisher=CBC News}} He scored his first professional goal on 28 April 2010 in a US Open Cup game against FC Dallas.{{cite news|last1=Boehm|first1=Charles|title=USOC: United get the better of Dallas|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/04/29/usoc-united-get-better-dallas|access-date=11 December 2015|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=28 April 2010}} His impressive performance throughout the 2010 season earned him the MLS Rookie of the Year, ahead of Tim Ream and Danny Mwanga.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/teen-phenom-najar-takes-mls-rookie-year |title=Teen phenom Najar takes MLS Rookie of the Year |author=Simon Borg |date=3 November 2010 |publisher=Major League Soccer }}{{cite news |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/11/mls_rookie_of_the_year_and_top.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103235643/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/11/mls_rookie_of_the_year_and_top.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 November 2010 |title=D.C. United's Andy Najar is MLS rookie of year |author=Steven Goff |date=3 November 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post }}
Najar was considered by pundits such as Soccer America's Paul Gardner to be one of D.C. United's top players at the age of 17.{{cite news|last1=Gardner|first1=Paul|title=MLS needs for D.C. United to recapture its old glory|url=http://www.socceramerica.com/article/39364/mls-needs-for-dc-united-to-recapture-its-old-glo.html|access-date=11 December 2015|publisher=Soccer America|date=23 August 2010}} He received interest from European clubs, according to his agent, and was expected to move there later in his career, possibly at the end of the 2010 season.{{cite news|last1=Posadas |first1=Fredy |title=No está para la sub 20 |url=http://www.elheraldo.hn/Ediciones/2010/08/27/Noticias/No-esta-para-la-sub-20 |trans-title=Not for the under 20 |access-date=11 December 2015 |work=El Heraldo |date=26 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830192248/http://www.elheraldo.hn/Ediciones/2010/08/27/Noticias/No-esta-para-la-sub-20 |archive-date=30 August 2010 |language=es |url-status=dead }} However, it was announced in December 2010 that Najar had signed a multi-year contract with D.C. United.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/dc-sign-top-rookie-najar-multi-year-deal |title=DC sign top rookie Najar to multi-year deal |author=Travis Clark |date=21 December 2010 |publisher=Major League Soccer }}
Najar was the only player from the D.C. United's Academy to be called up for the 2012 Olympics.{{cite web|last=Salazar|first=Sebastian|title=Najar's call-up a source of pride around club|url=http://www.dcunited.com/news/2012/06/najars-call-up-a-source-of-pride-around-club|publisher=DC United|access-date=26 June 2012|quote="I can only thank God for this," Najar said in a Spanish language interview Thursday. "I'll be representing not only my country, but my family as well. The Olympics are a dream for every player and I get the chance to live it."|archive-date=26 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626141947/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2012/06/najars-call-up-a-source-of-pride-around-club|url-status=dead}}
= Anderlecht =
On 7 January 2013, Najar moved to Belgian Pro League champions Anderlecht on a one-month loan.{{cite news| url=http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/DC-United-loans-Andy-Najar-to-Anderlecht-4172450.php |title=DC United loans Andy Najar to Anderlecht|date=7 January 2013 |agency=Associated Press|work=San Francisco Chronicle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108053937/http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/DC-United-loans-Andy-Najar-to-Anderlecht-4172450.php|archive-date=8 January 2013}} On 30 January 2013, Anderlecht finalised the full transfer of Najar.{{cite web|title=United's Andy Najar transferred to Belgian side R.S.C. Anderlecht|url=http://www.dcunited.com/post/2013/01/30/united's-andy-najar-transferred-belgian-side-rsc-anderlecht|publisher=D.C. United|access-date=11 December 2015|date=30 January 2013}}{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The reported transfer fee was $3 million.{{cite news|last1=Goff|first1=Steven|title=It's official: Najar sold to Anderlecht|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2013/01/30/its-official-najar-sold-to-anderlecht/|access-date=11 December 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=30 January 2013}}
He made his debut against Cercle Brugge on 2 August 2013 as a substitute in the 79th minute.{{cite news|last1=Seltzer|first1=Greg|title=American Exports: Sacha Kljestan returns to lineup as Anderlecht go to the top in Belgium|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2013/08/02/american-exports-sacha-kljestan-returns-lineup-anderlecht-go-top-belgium|access-date=14 December 2015|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=2 August 2013}}
On 22 October 2014, Najar opened the scoring for Anderlecht in the second half of their Champions League match against Arsenal but two late goals for the English side resulted in a 2−1 defeat for the Belgian champions.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29362790 |title=Arsene Wenger celebrated his 65th birthday with a vital Champions League win as Arsenal scored twice in the final two minutes to beat Anderlecht. |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=23 October 2014 }}
After a summer 2019 injury, Najar did not play for Anderlecht for more than a year.
= Los Angeles FC =
In February 2020, Najar trained with LAFC during their preseason.
On 17 June 2020, Najar returned to Major League Soccer, signing with Los Angeles FC, who earlier in the year had traded $350,000 in General Allocation Money to Nashville SC in exchange for the first selection spot in the league's Allocation Ranking.{{cite web|url=https://www.lafc.com/post/2020/06/16/najar-joins-lafc-right-blend-talent-experience |title=Najar Joins LAFC With Right Blend Of Talent & Experience |website=LAFC.com |date=16 June 2020 |access-date=17 June 2020 }} Following the 2020 season, LAFC declined their contract option on Najar.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lafc.com/post/2020/12/01/lafc-announces-roster-moves-2021-season|title = LAFC Announces Roster Moves for 2021 Season | Los Angeles Football Club}}
= Return to D.C. United =
After being released by LAFC, Najar returned to former club D.C. United for a six-week trial period. The Black-and-Red signed him to a one-year deal with an option for two more years.{{Cite web|date=16 April 2021|title=D.C. United Sign Former Black-and-Red Standout Andy Najar|url=https://www.dcunited.com/post/2021/04/16/dc-united-sign-former-black-and-red-standout-andy-najar|access-date=16 April 2021|website=D.C. United}} On 17 April 2021, Najar came on in the 88th minute in the 2–1 win over New York City FC.{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jason|date=17 April 2021|title=D.C. United open 2021 by fighting their way past NYCFC in 2-1 win|url=https://www.blackandredunited.com/2021/4/17/22389614/dc-united-nycfc-mls-2021-recap-final-score-highlights|access-date=19 April 2021|website=Black and Red United}} Najar scored his first MLS goal since his return on 8 August in a 2–1 win over CF Montréal.{{Cite web|last=Razo|first=Eduardo|date=8 August 2021|title=See it: DC United's Najar scores first MLS goal since 2011|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/dc-united/see-it-dc-uniteds-andy-najar-scores-first-mls-goal-ten-years?cid=Yahoo&partner=ya4nbcs&chrcontext=WRC|access-date=11 August 2021|website=NBC Sports}}
The club exercised Najar’s options thus keeping him at the club for 2 more years. {{Cite web|date=16 April 2021|title=D.C. United Sign Andy Najar to Multi-Year Contract Extension through 2023|url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-united-sign-andy-najar-to-multi-year-contract-extension-through-2023|access-date=10 March 2022|website=D.C. United}} He was instrumental in then head coach Hernan Losada and Wayne Rooney’s defenses, sometimes playing as a right wingback and sometimes as a center back alongside Fred Brilliant, Steve Birnbaum, Hines-Ike and Donovan Pines. His dribbling skills and positive carries often opened up scoring opportunities for United. Many fans were accepting of the decision to release him due to injuries and the want of a rebuild, but he will always be remembered as a legend for the black and red at both RFK and Buzzard Point. {{Cite web|last=Umaña|first=José|date= 2 December 2023|title=DC United releases Northern Va. product Andy Najar, 8 other players to start rebuild|url=https://wtop.com/dc-united/2023/12/dc-united-releases-northern-va-product-andy-najar-8-other-players-to-start-rebuild/|access-date=2 December 2023|website=wtop news}}
=Olimpia=
In January 2024, Najar joined Liga Nacional de Honduras club Olimpia on a one-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://clubolimpia.com/2024/01/23/andy-es-del-leon/|trans-title=ANDY IS FROM THE LION!|title=¡ANDY ES DEL LEÓN!|language=Spanish|website=clubolimpia.com|date=23 January 2024|accessdate=24 January 2024}}
=Nashville SC=
On 16 January 2025, Najar returned to Major League Soccer, joining Nashville SC on a one-year deal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nashvillesc.com/news/nashville-sc-signs-honduran-defender-andy-najar|title=Nashville Soccer Club Signs Honduran Defender Andy Najar|first=Nashville|last=SC|website=Nashville SC}}
International career
On 6 April 2011, Najar formally announced that he would play for the Honduras national team, choosing his birth nation over the United States, from which he had yet to receive citizenship.{{cite news|title=Andy Najar to represent Honduras|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6296595/andy-najar-dc-united-says-play-honduras-team|access-date=11 December 2015|publisher=ESPN FC|date=6 April 2011}} He made his first appearance for Honduras on 3 September 2011 against Colombia, entering in the 67th minute.{{cite web|title=D.C. United International Round-Up: Andy Najar Debuts For Honduras|date=3 September 2011|url=http://www.blackandredunited.com/2011/9/3/2401781/dc-united-international-round-up-andy-najar-debuts-honduras-bill-hamid-chris-pontius-usmnt|publisher=Black and Red United|access-date=4 September 2011}}
Najar was called up to the Honduras U23 national team in the 2012 Olympics.
On 21 July 2013, Najar scored his first international goal for Honduras in the knockout stages of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup vs Costa Rica in a 1–0 victory that advanced Honduras to the semi-finals.{{cite web|title=Gold Cup: Andy Najar nets first int'l goal as Honduras top Costa Rica to book semi with USMNT|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/goldcup/news/article/2013/07/21/gold-cup-andy-najar-nets-first-intl-goal-honduras-top-costa-rica-book-semi-u|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=22 July 2013}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|17 April 2025}}{{Soccerway|andy-najar/123948}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental{{Efn|Includes appearances in UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and CONCACAF Central American Cup.}} !colspan="2"|Other{{efn|Appearances in league playoffs|name=playoffs}} !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|D.C. United
|2010 |rowspan="3"|MLS |26 | 5 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0
|0 | 28 | 5 | |||
| 2011
|31 | 5 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0
|0 | 31 | 5 | |||
| 2012
|25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!82 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 87 | 10 | |
| rowspan="8" |Anderlecht
|{{nowrap|2013–14}} | rowspan="7" |Belgian Pro League |15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 27 | 3 | |
| 2014–15
|26 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 48 | 8 | |
| 2015–16
|24 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 3 | |
| 2016–17
|9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2018–19
|18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |
| 2019–20
|0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!93 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 27 | 2 | 26 | 5 | 157 | 14 | |
| Los Angeles FC
|2020 | rowspan="4" |MLS |8 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |8 |0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="4" |D.C. United
|2021 |26 |1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |26 |1 | ||||||||||
| 2022
|23 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |23 |0 | ||||||||||
| 2023
|21 | 0 | 1
|0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!70 !1 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !71 !1 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="3" |Olimpia
|2023–24 | rowspan="2" |Honduran Liga Nacional |18 |1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |18 |1 | ||||||||||
| 2024–25
|17 |1 | colspan="2" |— |4 |0 | colspan="2" |— |21 |1 | ||||||||||
| !
!35 !2 !0 !0 !4 !0 !0 !0 !39 !2 | ||||||||||
| Nashville
|2025 |MLS |7 |1 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |7 |1 | ||||||||||
| colspan="3" |Career total
!308 | 19 | 16 | 1 | 31 | 2 | 27 | 5 | 382 | 27 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{Updated|match played 16 June 2024}}{{NFT player|44931|access-date=11 October 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan="13" |Honduras
|2011 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 12 | 1 |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 |
| 2015 | 9 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024 | 5 | 1 |
| 2025
|2 |0 | ||
| colspan="2" |Total
!53 | 5 |
|---|
:Scores and results list Honduras' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Najar goal.
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition !scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| style="text-align:center"|1
|{{dts|21 July 2013}} |M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA |{{fb|Costa Rica}} |style="text-align:center"|1–0 |style="text-align:center"|1–0 |
| style="text-align:center"|2
|rowspan="2"|{{dts|29 March 2015}} |rowspan="2"|Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras |rowspan="2"|{{fb|French Guiana}} |style="text-align:center"|1–0 |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–0 |rowspan="2"|2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|3
|style="text-align:center"|2–0 |
| style="text-align:center"|4
|{{dts|10 July 2015}} |Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, USA |{{fb|Panama}} |style="text-align:center"|1–1 |style="text-align:center"|1–1 |
| style="text-align:center"|5
|{{dts|9 June 2024}} |Bermuda National Stadium, Devonshire Parish, Bermuda |{{fb|Bermuda}} |style="text-align:center"|5–1 |style="text-align:center"|6–1 |
Honours
Anderlecht{{Soccerway|andy-najar/123948|accessdate=6 October 2014}}
Individual
- MLS Rookie of the Year: 2010{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/03/AR2010110307457.html |title=D.C. United's Andy Najar named MLS rookie of the year |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=4 November 2010 |access-date=6 October 2014 }}
- RSC Anderlecht Player of the Season: 2015–16,{{Cite web|title=Anderlecht Online - Andy Najar verkozen tot speler van het seizoen (01 jun 16)|url=https://www.anderlecht-online.be/nl/article/142866|access-date=16 November 2020|website=www.anderlecht-online.be}} 2016–17{{Cite web|title=Anderlecht Online - Wie werd verkozen tot MVP? (08 jun 17)|url=https://anderlecht-online.be/nl/article/156225|access-date=16 November 2020|website=anderlecht-online.be}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
- {{MLS player|andy-najar}}
- {{FIFA player|330693}}
{{Nashville SC squad}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Honduras squads
| bg = #0073CF
| fg = white
| bordercolor = #0B2F83
|list1=
{{Honduras men's football squad 2012 Summer Olympics}}
{{Honduras squad 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Honduras squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Honduras squad 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year Award}}
{{D.C. United MVP}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Najar, Andy}}
Category:People from Choluteca Department
Category:Honduran men's footballers
Category:21st-century Honduran sportsmen
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Honduras men's international footballers
Category:R.S.C. Anderlecht players
Category:Los Angeles FC players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:Olympic footballers for Honduras
Category:Footballers at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Category:2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup players
Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players
Category:2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup players
Category:Thomas A. Edison High School (Fairfax County, Virginia) alumni
Category:Homegrown Players (MLS)
Category:Honduran people of Salvadoran descent
Category:Sportspeople of Salvadoran descent
Category:Honduran expatriate men's footballers
Category:Honduran expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States