After moving from Colombia to New Jersey at an early age Agudelo began his career with the New York Red Bulls and made his Major League Soccer debut in October 2010. After scoring six goals in 2011 he was traded to Chivas USA in May 2012. Agudelo spent a year in California before he was traded to the New England Revolution in May 2013. He joined English side Stoke City in January 2014 but a failure to gain a UK work permit saw him loaned out to Dutch side FC Utrecht.
Internationally, Agudelo has represented the United States youth program at the Under-17, Under-20, and Under-23 levels. He made his debut for the senior national team against South Africa on November 17, 2010, scoring the only goal of the match.
He's been impressive for a 17-year-old. He shows such power. He is something special. When you look at his technical skill, you can compare him with European forwards of the same age, in terms of individual skill.
–Red Bulls coach Hans Backe speaking about Juan Agudelo, March 17, 2010[4]
New York Red Bulls
Agudelo began his career with the New York Red Bull Academy a member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and quickly established himself as one of the more skilled prospects at the club. In 2009, he was offered a chance to join the junior team but decided to accept a trial with Colombian side Millonarios in 2010. Although it was reported that he had signed with Millonarios, he returned to the United States to join Red Bulls during their pre-season. While with Millonarios, Agudelo played with the youth side, including a match against Independiente Santa Fe on January 17, which served as a tribute match to Brazilian great Pelé.[5]
On March 26, 2010, Agudelo officially joined the New York Red Bulls.[6] He made his professional debut on April 27, 2010, in a U.S. Open Cup game against Philadelphia Union.[7] Agudelo made his MLS debut against Real Salt Lake October 9, 2010, entering in the 85th minute in a match that ended in a scoreless draw. He scored his first professional goal on March 19, 2011, in the Red Bulls' 2011 MLS season opener, a 1–0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC.[8] In October, MLS listed Agudelo at no. 2 on it's "24 under 24" list of best young players for 2011.[9]
As directed by US National team manager Jürgen Klinsmann, that all off-season US MLS stars should train with European clubs, on November 16, 2011, Agudelo started a two-week training period with VfB Stuttgart.[10] On December 1, 2011, Agudelo started a similar two-week period at Liverpool.[11]
Chivas USA
Agudelo was traded to Chivas USA on May 17, 2012, in exchange for defender Heath Pearce, allocation money, and future considerations.[12] The latter was reported to be a portion of any transfer fee that Chivas USA receives from selling Agudelo.[citation needed] Following the 2012 Major League Soccer season, Agudelo was invited to train with Scottish club Celtic.[13] Following his training stint with Celtic, Agudelo joined West Ham United for a training stint also.[14] He scored four goals for Chivas in 2012 as they had a poor campaign finishing bottom of the Western Conference. Agudelo was listed by MLS at no. 13 on MLS' annual "24 under 24" list of best young players.[15] Agudelo began the 2013 well, scoring against FC Dallas and Chicago Fire before he was transferred to the New England Revolution on May 7, 2013.[16]
New England Revolution
Agudelo was traded to New England Revolution in exchange for allocation money on May 7, 2013.[17] Agudelo made his New England debut in a 2–0 win over Houston Dynamo and he was credited with their second goal which was originally given as an own goal.[18][19] He then scored against Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC before being ruled out for a month with a knee injury.[20][21][22] In August 2013 Agudelo began to attract interest from English Premier League side Stoke City.[23] Agudelo returned from injury on August 17, against Chicago Fire and scored a spectacular back-heel goal in a 2–0 victory.[24] The strike was subsequently a finalist for MLS Goal of the Year.[25] MLS listed Agudelo at no. 6 on its annual "24 under 24" list of best young players for the 2013 season.[26]
Stoke City
On August 9, 2013, it was announced that Agudelo had signed a pre-contract agreement with English club Stoke City and will join the Potters on January 1, 2014, once his contract with the New England Revolution has expired.[27][28] However the move fell through after he was denied a work permit.[29] Despite this Stoke completed the signing of Agudelo on January 21, 2014, and loaned him out to Dutch side FC Utrecht for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.[30][31] He scored his first goal for Utrecht on February 6, 2014, scoring against PEC Zwolle in a 2–1 defeat.[32] Stoke re-applied for a work permit for Agudelo in May 2014 but were again unsuccessful.[33] Following this Juan Agudelo had the option to join a team in Germany, but decided to head back to the states and continue his career with the USMNT and New England Revolution, where he felt his best and at home. [34]
Return to New England
On January 30, 2015, Agudelo re-signed with the New England Revolution after tweeting out "I am extremely happy to officially sign minutes ago and be back with the best teammates and coaching staff #NERevs".[35][36] in the 2015 MLS Cup playoffs, he scored a "stunning" bicycle kick against D.C. United to give the Revolution a 1-0 lead.[37][38] In October, MLS listed Agudelo at no. 13 in its "24 under 24" list of best young players for 2015.[39]
In the 2016 season, Agudelo led the Revolution scoring, recording seven goals and five assists.[25] He was listed as the 17th best young player on MLS' 2016 "24 under 24" list.[40]
He recorded a career-high eight goals in the 2017 season, and was named MLS Player of the Week for MLS match week 4 after recording a brace against Minnesota United FC.[41]
On December 3, 2019, Agudelo was selected by Toronto FC in Stage Two of the 2019 MLS Re-Entry Draft,[42] however, they were not able to reach a contract agreement.[43]
Inter Miami
Agudelo joined Inter Miami CF.[43] Agudelo made his Miami debut in the club's first ever-match, a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on March 1, 2020.[44] He scored his first Miami goal on July 8 in the MLS is Back Tournament in a 2-1 loss to Orlando City SC,[45] and notched two more goals and in 14 total appearances for the club during their inaugural campaign.[46] Miami opted to decline his contract option following the 2020 season.[47]
Minnesota United
On March 2, 2021, Agudelo signed as a free agent with Minnesota United FC on a one-year deal.[48] He appeared 13 times for the club. .[49][50]
Birmingham Legion
On March 31, 2022, Agudelo signed with second-tier side Birmingham Legion who play in the USL Championship, rejoining Tom Soehn and Jay Heaps, who had both coached him while in New England.[51][52] Agudelo contributed seven goals and five assists in his first season in Birmingham, and the club re-signed him prior to the 2023 season.[53] He was named U.S. Open Cup Lower Division Player of the Tournament for 2023, scoring three goals and recording a game-winning assist as the Legion reached the quarterfinals.[54]
San Antonio FC
Agudelo moved to USL Championship side San Antonio FC on December 21, 2023, ahead of their upcoming 2024 season.[55]
International career
Agudelo represented the United States at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[56] In 2010, he also debuted for the United States Under-20 side. On January 23, 2010, he scored the equalizing goal for the United States Under-20 national team in a 1–1 draw with Brazil.[57]
On November 11, 2010, Agudelo was called up to the United States senior national side for the first time as part of an 18-man roster for a match against South Africa on November 17 in Cape Town.[58] He made his debut for the team coming on against South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge wearing the number 17 shirt. Agudelo scored the only goal of the game on a volley that went in off the underside of the crossbar. In doing so, he became the youngest player in national team history to score in a senior game.[59] On January 22. 2011, Agudelo drew the penalty that led to the U.S. only goal of the match in a 1–1 draw against Chile.[60] In an international friendly on March 26, 2011, he scored the equalizer in a 1–1 draw against Argentina.
Style of play
Most of his key traits involve a precise style of dribbling and ball control. This has often resulted in him being fouled easily and winning free-kicks.[61]
Personal life
Juan Agudelo is married to Vanessa Agudelo, and they have been together for 12 years. They have two daughters, Alina and Bella, who are the center of their family. A devoted Christian, Juan’s faith plays a significant role in his life, guiding him both personally and professionally. His commitment to his family and faith shapes his journey as a loving husband, father, and individual.
^"Gold Cup 2011" [Gold Cup 2011: Juan Agudelo]. NJ.com. June 5, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
^Lewis, Brian. "Chatting with Red Bull prospect and U.S. Under-20 striker Juan Agudelo", New York Post, March 4, 2010. Accessed June 3, 2015. "The young striker _ who was raised in Barnegat, NJ but has been living with his godmother in somewhat-closer Kinnelon _ has been receptive to whatever advice Angel has been willing to give, hungry for a mentor that can help take him take his game to the next level."
