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| Roger Espinoza | |
|---|---|
| Name | Roger Espinoza |
| Fullname | Roger Espinoza |
| Birth date | 1986-11-07 |
| Birth place | La Ceiba, Honduras |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Youthclubs | Kansas City Wizards Academy |
| College | Towson Tigers |
| Years1 | 2006 |
| Clubs1 | Kansas City Brass |
| Years2 | 2007–2008 |
| Clubs2 | Sporting Kansas City |
| Years3 | 2008–2017 |
| Clubs3 | Wigan Athletic |
| Years4 | 2013 |
| Clubs4 | Sporting Kansas City (loan) |
| Years5 | 2014–2017 |
| Clubs5 | Sporting Kansas City (loan) |
| Years6 | 2018–2022 |
| Clubs6 | Sporting Kansas City |
| Nationalyears1 | 2008–2017 |
| Nationalteam1 | Honduras |
Roger Espinoza is a Honduran professional footballer who played as a central midfielder and defensive midfielder, noted for his tenacity, work-rate, and transitional play. Born in La Ceiba, Honduras, he emigrated to the United States as a child, rose through American collegiate and developmental ranks, and combined domestic Major League Soccer experience with a substantial spell in English football. Espinoza represented his national team across CONCACAF competitions and FIFA World Cup cycles while earning recognition for his athletic endurance and tackling.
Espinoza was born in La Ceiba, Honduras, and moved to the United States where he grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts and later Kansas City, Missouri, developing at local youth clubs and high schools associated with La Ceiba, Springfield, Massachusetts, Kansas City, Missouri, Southeast Kansas City, Baseball Field (local), Hispanic community organizations, Kansas City Youth Soccer Association, Blue Valley North High School, Olathe North High School, Park Hill High School, Kemper Arena and regional training centers. He participated in youth tournaments linked to US Youth Soccer and joined academy systems influenced by Major League Soccer affiliations such as Sporting Kansas City Academy and developmental programs associated with United States Soccer Federation youth initiatives. Scouts from collegiate programs including Towson University and semi-professional sides including Kansas City Brass noticed him during regional combines and showcases like those run by U.S. Soccer Development Academy and Nike Friendlies.
Espinoza accepted a scholarship to attend Towson University, where he played for the Towson Tigers men's soccer team and competed in the Colonial Athletic Association. During his collegiate career he earned accolades in conference play and was scouted by representatives from Major League Soccer clubs, United Soccer League teams, and agents connected to European scouting networks. Concurrently he appeared for Kansas City Brass in the USL Premier Development League, connecting with coaches linked to Sporting Kansas City and national youth selectors from United States U-20 and Honduras national under-20 football team setups that participated in tournaments organized by CONCACAF and FIFA youth competitions.
Espinoza began his professional career after being signed by Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer, later rebranded as Sporting Kansas City, where he debuted in first-team action and featured in competitions such as the U.S. Open Cup and MLS regular season fixtures against clubs like LA Galaxy, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Houston Dynamo, and Seattle Sounders FC. His performances led to a transfer to Wigan Athletic of the English Football League in a move connecting the MLS transfer pipeline to Premier League and English Championship clubs. At Wigan Athletic he competed under managers associated with the club during the period, facing opponents such as Manchester United, Chelsea F.C., Arsenal F.C., and Liverpool F.C. in domestic cups and league campaigns. After initial seasons in England he returned to Sporting Kansas City on loan deals and permanent terms, contributing to MLS playoffs, MLS Cup runs, and domestic cup competitions like the MLS is Back Tournament and successive editions of the U.S. Open Cup. His club career involved teammates and coaches from diverse football lineages including connections to Gregg Berhalter, Peter Vermes, Julian Carranza, Benny Feilhaber, Dom Dwyer, Graham Zusi, Matt Besler, Brad Davis, and competitive fixtures against continental clubs from Liga MX, C.F. Monterrey, Club América, Pumas UNAM, and Club León.
Eligible for Honduras, Espinoza represented the Honduras national football team at senior level, participating in qualifying cycles for the FIFA World Cup, CONCACAF competitions such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League and regional friendlies against national sides including United States men's national soccer team, Mexico national football team, Costa Rica national football team, Panama national football team, and Jamaica national football team. He featured in Honduras squads managed by coaches with ties to international coaching networks and played alongside national teammates from clubs across La Liga, Liga MX, Premier League, Serie A, and MLS. Espinoza was involved in World Cup qualification fixtures that intersected with tournaments governed by FIFA, contested in stadiums linked to federations like the Honduran Football Federation and venues such as Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano and Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés.
Espinoza was characterized as a combative, high-energy central midfielder with strengths in ball-winning, pressing, and transitional distribution, drawing comparisons in role to midfielders who operate between defensive and box-to-box responsibilities in systems employed by clubs and national teams. Analysts from outlets covering Major League Soccer, BBC Sport, ESPN, Sky Sports, The Guardian, The Independent, and regional Honduran media contextualized his performances relative to tactical trends promoted by coaches referencing frameworks used by managers at Wigan Athletic, Sporting Kansas City, and CONCACAF teams. His reception among supporters of Sporting Kansas City and followers of the Honduras national football team emphasized leadership, resilience, and match fitness.
Espinoza's background traces to La Ceiba, with family and personal ties in both Honduras and the United States. Off the field he engaged in community outreach efforts often coordinated with club charitable arms such as Sporting Kansas City Foundation and participated in initiatives with organizations linked to player welfare and development. His dual-cultural experience connected him to diasporic networks spanning Central America, Kansas City, and Latin American football communities.
Espinoza's club statistics include appearances and goals across Major League Soccer, English Football League, Premier League cup competitions and USL PDL seasons, while international caps and goals are recorded for the Honduras senior team in FIFA-sanctioned matches. Honours across his career include domestic cup success with Sporting Kansas City and contributions to league campaigns and playoff qualifications. Individual recognitions and team trophies reflect involvement in competitions administered by Major League Soccer, Football Association (England), and CONCACAF.
Category:1986 births Category:Honduran footballers Category:Major League Soccer players Category:English Football League players