John Wilmar Pérez

John Wilmar Pérez
Personal information
Full name John Wilmar Pérez Múñoz
Date of birth (1970-02-21) 21 February 1970 (age 54)
Place of birth Medellin, Colombia
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 6+12 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1996 Independiente Medellín
1996–1999 Deportivo Cali
2000–2002 Columbus Crew 75 (12)
2003 Independiente Medellín
International career
1997–2000 Colombia 19 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Wilmar Pérez Muñoz (born 21 February 1970) is a Colombian football (soccer) player.

A central midfielder, effective in winning the ball and passing it forward, Pérez played for the Colombian clubs Independiente Medellín and Deportivo Cali. In 2000, he moved to the Columbus Crew in the United States.[1] After a slow first season in Columbus, Pérez excelled in 2001 while forming the core of a sturdy midfield next to Brian Maisonneuve. He finished the year with 8 goals and 15 assists,[2] earning recognition as the club's Most Valuable Player for the season.[3] In 2002, Pérez experienced a decline in his statistics and playing time,[2] but nonetheless helped the Crew win their first trophy, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Pérez also represented the Colombia national team and was a participant at the 1992 Summer Olympics,[4] 1997 Copa America, and 1998 FIFA World Cup.[5] He played in all four of Colombia's matches at the Copa America in 1997,[6] but remained on the bench throughout the World Cup the following year.

Honors

Club

Columbus Crew

References

  1. ^ CNNSI.com. "Colombian in Columbus: Midfielder Perez headed to play for Crew". 7 March 2000. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  2. ^ a b MLSSoccer.com. "John Wilmar Perez". Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  3. ^ Columbus Crew. "Awards - Columbus Crew". Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  4. ^ "John Pérez Biography and Statistics". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  5. ^ FIFA. "1998 FIFA World Cup France - Colombia" Archived 27 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  6. ^ Tabeira, Martín. "Copa América 1997". RSSSF, 2 August 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2013.