Faryd Mondragon

Goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon signed with the Union on January 20, 2011 on a free transfer from FC Cologne of the German Bundesliga. He helped transform a Union defense that struggled in 2010 into one of the league's top units in '11. Mondragon became the second Union All-Star representative, starting against Manchester United in the 2011 midseason showcase. He finished second in 2011 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year voting, behind only Kasey Keller.

An experienced Colombian goalkeeper, Mondragon played in some of the world’s most recognizable leagues. He began his professional career in 1990 with Deportivo Cali of the Colombian First Division, and subsequently joined several other Colombian teams before landing with Argentinean First Division club Atletico Independiente in 1995. After his time in Colombia and Argentina, Mondragón moved to Europe where he starred in Spain’s La Liga (Real Zaragoza FC, 1999), the French Ligue 1 (FC Metz, 2000-‘01), the Turkish First Division (Galatasaray S.K., 2001-’07, won titles in 2002 and 2006), and finally the Bundesliga (FC Cologne, 2007-’10).

Mondragón’s vast experience extends beyond the club level, as the veteran goalkeeper has been capped 50 times for the Colombian National Team since his debut in 1993. Mondragón was a member of the Colombian teams that competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The goalkeeper’s last appearance with the national team occurred at PPL Park when Colombia played to a scoreless draw with the U.S. Men’s National Team on October 12, 2010.

2011: On January 20, Mondragon agreed to terms with the Union on a free transfer from FC Cologne of the German Bundesliga… Started 27 matches during the 2011 season, logging 2,385 minutes… Posted a 1.06 goals against average and a 62% save percentage with seven clean sheets… Fractured his right finger against Real Salt Lake on September 3, sidelining him for seven matches. Named to the 2011 MLS All-Star Game, drawing the start against Manchester United...  Finished second in 2011 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year voting, behind Kasey Keller.

2008-2010:  Started in 83 matches, logging more than 7,470 minutes with FC Cologne…Posted a 1.40 GAA average and a 72 save percentage with 17 clean sheets over his three seasons with FC Cologne in the German Bundesliga and German DFB Pokal…Holds the Bundesliga record for most consecutive minutes without conceding a goal with 565 minutes, set on 1/25/2010…Played with internationally-known striker and former FIFA World Cup Best Young Player, Lukas Podolski.

2001-2007: Made 185 appearances with Galatasaray...Won two Turkish Super League titles (2002 and 2006)…Played on the only Turkish team to be ranked No. 1 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) in 2001… Helped Galatasaray reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions league where they were eliminated by Real Madrid… Played with former IFFHS World’s Top Scorer, Hakan Sukur, in 2001, as well as two-time Turkish League Player of the Year, Arda Turan.

INTERNATIONAL: Capped 50 times for the Colombian National Team since his 1992 debut... Competed with the Colombian National Team in the 1992 Summer Olympics and the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups...Back-up goalkeeper on the infamous 1994 World Cup team, featuring Carlos Valderama and famed Andres Escobar, who put in an own goal against the United States, leading to a first round elimination…Started against England in 1998 World Cup, surrendering two goals in a first round loss…Was last in net for the National Team when Colombia met the U.S. Men’s National Team at PPL Park on October 12, 2010.