Nico Gordon
{{short description|Montserratian footballer (born 2002)}}
{{use British English|date=August 2023}}
{{use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nico Gordon
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|4|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = Birmingham, England
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Monterey Bay FC
| clubnumber = 2
| youthyears1 = 2014–2020
| youthclubs1 = Birmingham City
| years1 = 2020–2024
| clubs1 = Birmingham City
| caps1 = 15
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2023–2024
| clubs2 = → Solihull Moors (loan)
| caps2 = 1
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2024
| clubs3 = North Texas SC
| caps3 = 22
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2025–
| clubs4 = Monterey Bay FC
| caps4 = 2
| goals4 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2023–
| nationalteam1 = Montserrat
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 15:42, 16 March 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 12:07, 19 November 2024 (UTC)
}}
Nico Diago Gordon (born 28 April 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for USL Championship club Monterey Bay FC. He was born in England, where he began his football career with Birmingham City, making his Football League debut in June 2020. He spent the first half of the 2023–24 season on loan at National League club Solihull Moors before moving to the United States where he helped North Texas SC win the 2024 MLS Next Pro Cup. He joined Monterey Bay FC in January 2025. In international football, Gordon represents the Montserrat national team, for which he qualifies via his mother.
Early life and career
Gordon was born in Birmingham and attended St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in the Kings Norton district.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/birmingham-city-u18/players/nico-gordon/ |title=Nico Gordon |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |accessdate=19 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811094152/https://www.bcfc.com/birmingham-city-u18/players/nico-gordon/ |archive-date=11 August 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.stacs.org/ |title=Home |publisher=St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School & Sixth Form |access-date=26 July 2024}} He joined Birmingham City in 2014, and took up a two-year scholarship with their Academy in July 2018. According to coach Steve Spooner, Gordon "can play anywhere across the back and midfield. He's currently at centre-half. He's an excellent reader of the game. He steps in and can find passes. He played for the 18s last year and has started this season very well."{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/meet-blues-new-scholars-for-2018-19 |title=Meet Blues' new scholars for 2018–19 |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=16 August 2018 |access-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230810084953/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/meet-blues-new-scholars-for-2018-19 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |url-status=live}}
He made his competitive debut for Birmingham's development squad team in August 2019, playing at right back in a 1–1 draw with Crystal Palace U23,{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/report-crystal-palace-under-23s-1-blues-under-23s-1 |title=Report: Crystal Palace Under-23s 1 Blues Under-23s 1 |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=12 August 2019 |access-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230810085112/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/report-crystal-palace-under-23s-1-blues-under-23s-1 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |url-status=live}} and became a regular in the side. He also captained the under-18 team as they reached the fifth round of the 2019–20 FA Youth Cup.{{cite web |url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2020/february/FA-Youth-Cup-Report-Wigan-Athletic-4-Birmingham-City-0/ |title=FA Youth Cup Report: Wigan Athletic 4 Birmingham City 0 |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |date=5 February 2020 |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230810084445/https://wiganathletic.com/news/2020/february/FA-Youth-Cup-Report-Wigan-Athletic-4-Birmingham-City-0/ |archive-date=10 August 2023 |url-status=live}} Gordon was given a first-team squad number early in 2020,{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/revealed-latest-rising-stars-who-17776038 |title=Revealed: The latest rising stars who have been given Birmingham City squad numbers |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=19 February 2020 |accessdate=19 June 2020}} he was 19th man for the FA Cup replay against Coventry City, and in April 2020, the club confirmed that he had been made an offer of a three-year professional contract, with the option of a fourth year.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/blues-offer-first-professional-deals-to-five |title=Blues offer first professional deals to five |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=29 April 2020 |access-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230810085506/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/blues-offer-first-professional-deals-to-five |archive-date=10 August 2023 |url-status=live}} He signed the contract on 26 June.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/double-celebration-for-nico |title=Double celebration for Nico |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230810085441/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/double-celebration-for-nico |archive-date=10 August 2023 |url-status=live}}
Club career
=Birmingham City=
When the 2019–20 EFL Championship season resumed after its COVID-19 pandemic-related suspension, Gordon was one of several youngsters named on the bench for Birmingham's first match under the temporary rules. He remained unused, but made his Football League debut in the next fixture, on 27 June 2020 at home to Hull City, replacing the injured Jake Clarke-Salter after 87 minutes with his team 3–2 down; the match finished 3–3.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51828941 |title=Birmingham City 3–3 Hull City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 June 2020 |accessdate=27 June 2020}} Gordon was given his first start on 12 July away to Stoke City, playing on the left of three centre backs and facing the powerful Tyrese Campbell. With Stoke 2–0 up at half-time, caretaker head coach Spooner changed to a back four, and Gordon was more comfortable at left back; the score remained 2–0.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-stoke-player-ratings-18584622 |title='Abject' – Birmingham City in freefall after Stoke City defeat, report and ratings |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=12 July 2020 |accessdate=12 July 2020}} He played once more that season, and a further twice at the end of the following season, when, with relegation avoided, new manager Lee Bowyer used the last two fixtures to look at fringe players. Both were heavy defeats, though the Birmingham Mail{{'}}s reporter thought he "did OK against one of the better attacking forces in the league" in the 5–2 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-player-ratings-vs-20554239 |title=Birmingham City player ratings vs Blackburn: Blues struggle in Bowyer's absence |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=8 May 2021 |access-date=5 March 2022}}
Gordon was Birmingham's man of the match in the EFL Cup win against Colchester United in August 2021. Partnering George Friend in central defence, he "show[ed] great composure and strength, while he was sound in possession and with his passing",{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-player-ratings-nico-21279550 |title=Birmingham City player ratings as Nico Gordon shines in EFL Cup win |first=Joseph |last=Chapman |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 August 2021 |access-date=5 March 2022}} but late in the game he aggravated a groin problem. Eventually he had surgery, and was well on the way to recovery when the wound became infected, and he was hospitalised, spending three days on a drip. Again he was progressing well when he caught COVID-19,{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-nico-gordon-injury-23500639 |title='Three days on a drip' – Rising Birmingham City star opens up about injury torment |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=25 March 2022 |access-date=6 June 2024}} and eventually re-appeared for the under-23 team the following February.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/report-blues-under-23s-3-0-watford-under-23s |title=Report: Blues Under-23s 3–0 Watford Under-23s |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=18 February 2022 |access-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230810085736/https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/report-blues-under-23s-3-0-watford-under-23s |archive-date=10 August 2023 |url-status=live}} He started the Championship match away to Bristol City on 5 March, alongside Marc Roberts at centre back, scored his first senior goal with an accurate header from Jordan Graham's corner to put his side 2–0 ahead, and played the full 90 minutes as Birmingham held on for a 2–1 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-bristol-player-ratings-23299366 |title=Birmingham City player ratings vs Bristol City: Chong back with a bang as Blues win |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=5 March 2021 |access-date=5 March 2022}} He kept his place for the next match despite loanee Teden Mengi's return to fitness, "more than held his own, often sweeping behind Roberts when danger demanded it" as the team kept a clean sheet against Hull City, and the Mail{{'s}} reporter suggested that if he continued in similar vein, "he could well save Blues a recruitment job in the summer."{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-taylor-richards-hull-23372558 |title=Birmingham City prospect could save Blues a summer transfer as Taylor Richards debut assessed |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=13 March 2022 |access-date=13 March 2022}}
==Solihull Moors (loan)==
After a 2022–23 season disrupted by illness, Gordon joined National League club Solihull Moors on loan for the 2023–24 campaign.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/nico-gordon-birmingham-city-transfer-27368283 |title=Birmingham City make Nico Gordon decision after disrupted 12 months under John Eustace |first=Alex |last=Dicken |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=21 July 2023 |access-date=21 July 2023}} In the 90th minute of the opening fixture, with his side 1–0 down at home to Eastleigh, Gordon was sent off for a second yellow card after pulling back an opponent; Moors equalised in stoppage time.{{cite news |url=https://solihullobserver.co.uk/sport/football-morrison-scores-injury-time-equaliser-as-10-man-solihull-moors-rescue-point-in-season-opener/ |title=Football – Morrison scores injury time equaliser as 10-man Solihull Moors rescue point in season opener |newspaper=Solihull Observer |date=7 August 2023 |access-date=10 August 2023}} That was his only appearance, and he was recalled to Birmingham on 8 January 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/blues-nico-gordon-recalled |title=Blues' Nico Gordon recalled |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=8 January 2024 |access-date=8 January 2024}}
=North Texas SC=
Gordon joined MLS Next Pro (third-tier) club North Texas SC on 2 February 2024, on a one-year contract with an option for a second year.{{cite web |url=https://www.fcdallas.com/northtexassc/news/north-texas-sc-acquires-nico-gordon-from-efl-championship-side-birmingham-city-f |title=North Texas SC acquires Nico Gordon from EFL Championship side Birmingham City F.C. |publisher=FC Dallas |date=2 February 2024 |access-date=2 February 2024}} He was named captain of the side,{{cite web |url=https://www.fcdallas.com/news/nico-gordon-from-england-to-texas-how-north-texas-sc-found-its-new-captain |title=Nico Gordon: From England to Texas, how North Texas SC found its new captain |first=Garrett |last=Melcer |publisher=FC Dallas |date=15 March 2024 |access-date=17 March 2024}} and made his debut in the opening match of the 2024 MLS Next Pro season, a goalless draw against Whitecaps FC 2.{{cite web |url=https://www.fcdallas.com/northtexassc/news/north-texas-sc-draws-0-0-in-season-opener-against-whitecaps-fc-2 |title=North Texas SC draws 0–0 in season opener against Whitecaps FC 2 |publisher=FC Dallas |date=16 March 2024 |access-date=17 March 2024}} He made 22 appearances as North Texas were crowned regular-season champions,{{cite web |url=https://www.mlsnextpro.com/standings/2024/overall#season=2024&live=false |title=Overall standings 2024 |publisher=MLS Next Pro |access-date=13 November 2024}} and played every minute of the playoffs as North Texas beat St. Louis City 2 to win the Western Conference title and came from behind to beat Philadelphia Union II 3–2 in MLS Next Pro Cup to become overall champions.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/mls-next-pro-conference-finals-recap |title=MLS NEXT Pro Conference Finals recap |first=Tyler |last=Snipes |publisher=MLS Next Pro |date=3 November 2024 |access-date=13 November 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.undraftedus.com/featured/north-texas-sc-makes-history-with-thrilling-3-2-victory-in-mls-next-pro-cup-final |title=North Texas SC makes history with thrilling 3–2 victory in MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final |first=Cody |last=Grubbs |website=Undrafted |date=10 November 2024 |access-date=13 November 2024}} Gordon's performances over the season earned him a place in the MLS Next Pro Best XI.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/tyrone-marshall-headlines-list-of-2024-mls-next-pro-regular-season-award-winners |title=Tyrone Marshall headlines list of 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season award winners |publisher=MLS NEXT Pro |date=16 October 2024 |access-date=13 November 2024}}
=Monterey Bay FC=
Gordon joined USL Championship (second-tier) club Monterey Bay FC in January 2025 on a one-year contract with an option for a further year.{{cite press release |url=https://www.montereybayfc.com/news/2025/01/08/gordon-signed/ |title=Monterey Bay agrees to deal with former Birmingham City F.C. defender Nico Gordon |publisher=Monterey Bay FC |date=8 January 2025 |access-date=8 January 2025}}
International career
Gordon was born in England and qualifies to play international football for Montserrat because his mother was born there.{{cite web |url=https://livinginmontserrat.wordpress.com/2024/06/02/in-conversation-with-monserrats-nico-gordon/ |title=In Conversation with Monserrat's Nico Gordon |website=Craig Brewin's Blog |date=2 June 2024 |access-date=26 July 2024}} He was called up to the Montserrat senior squad for the first time in September 2023, for their matches in the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League B against Barbados and the Dominican Republic.{{Cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/romelle-donovan-birmingham-city-wagner-27223728 |title=Donovan and the other Birmingham City prospects who could save Wagner millions |first=Alex |last=Dicken |date=7 September 2023 |website=BirminghamLive |access-date=9 September 2023}}{{cite tweet |author=Solihull Moors F.C. |user=SolihullMoors |number=1698694692462895466 |title=Best of luck to Nico Gordon, who has been called up to @Montserrat_FA for their upcoming fixtures against Barbados and The Dominican Republic. |date=4 September 2023 |access-date=9 September 2023}} He started and played the whole of the first fixture, in which Montserrat beat Barbados 3–2 with a 98th-minute free kick from his former Birmingham team-mate Lyle Taylor.{{cite web |url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/nations-league/game-details?matchid=712927 |title=Liga B – Group stage: Group B – week 1: Barbados 2–3 Montserrat |publisher=CONCACAF |date=8 September 2023 |access-date=9 September 2023}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nationnews.com/2023/09/09/barbados-tridents-go-2-3-montserrat/ |title=Barbados Tridents go down 2–3 against Montserrat |first=Jonteau |last=Coppin |website=NationNews |location=Barbados |date=9 September 2023 |access-date=9 September 2023}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 15 March 2025}}
| 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"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="6"|Birmingham City
|2019–20{{soccerbase season|130102|2019|access-date=23 July 2020}} | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|130102|2020|access-date=8 May 2021}}
|Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|130102|2021|access-date=8 May 2022}}
|Championship | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 1 | |
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|130102|2022|access-date=21 July 2023}}
|Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|130102|2023|access-date=2 February 2024}}
|Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!15||1||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||16||1 | ||||||||||
| Solihull Moors (loan) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| North Texas SC
|2024 | 22 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|Appearances in MLS Next Pro playoffs}} | 0 | 26 | 0 | ||
| Monterey Bay FC
|2025{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/nico-gordon/646453/ |title=N. Gordon |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=16 March 2025}} | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!40||1||0||0||1||0||4||0||45||1 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 18 November 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/nico-gordon/4/ |title=Nico Gordon » Internationals |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HeimSpiel Medien |access-date=19 November 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"|Montserrat
|2023 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 6 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 12 | 0 |
Honours
North Texas SC
- MLS Next Pro regular season title, Western Conference champion, MLS Next Pro Cup winner: 2024
Individual
- MLS Next Pro Best XI: 2024
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
{{Monterey Bay FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gordon, Nico}}
Category:Footballers from Birmingham, West Midlands
Category:Montserratian men's footballers
Category:Montserrat men's international footballers
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:Solihull Moors F.C. players
Category:North Texas SC players
Category:Monterey Bay FC players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:21st-century Black British people
Category:English people of Montserratian descent
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States