Paulo Nagamura
Paulo Nagamura in 2010
Personal information
Full name Paulo Roberto Corradi Nagamura
Date of birth (1983-03-02) March 2, 1983 (age 40)
Place of birth São Paulo, Brazil
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1994–2001 São Paulo
2001–2004 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2006 Los Angeles Galaxy 54 (0)
2007 Toronto FC 4 (0)
2007–2009 Chivas USA 73 (8)
2010 Tigres 14 (0)
2010–2011 Chivas USA 26 (1)
2012–2016 Sporting Kansas City 95 (6)
2016 → Swope Park Rangers (loan) 1 (0)
Total 267 (15)
Managerial career
2017 Swope Park Rangers (assistant)
2018–2021 Sporting Kansas City II
2022 Houston Dynamo
2024– Chicago Fire (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 18, 2016

Paulo Roberto Corradi Nagamura (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpawlu naɡaˈmuɾɐ]; born March 2, 1983) is a Brazilian former professional footballer and coach who is currently an assistant coach with Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire. He spent most of his playing career in MLS, where he won two MLS Cups and three U.S. Open Cups.

Career

Youth

Born in São Paulo, Nagamura came up through the system of hometown club São Paulo. In 2001, he was sold to English powerhouse Arsenal, and played with the club's youth and reserve sides through 2004, helping them to the English U-19 championship, scoring a goal in the final against Liverpool. He also scored in a pre-season friendly for Arsenal against Stevenage in 2002.[1]

Professional

Los Angeles Galaxy

On March 22, 2005, Nagamura signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.[2] He made his Galaxy and MLS debut on April 2, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 loss to the Columbus Crew.[3] Nagamura ended the regular season with 25 appearances, 24 of them starts, and 2 assists, helping the Galaxy finish 4th in the Western Conference and qualify for the playoffs.[2][4] He started all 4 of the Galaxy's playoff games, helping Los Angeles reach MLS Cup 2005, where they defeated the New England Revolution 1–0.[3] Nagamura also helped the Galaxy win the 2005 U.S. Open Cup, making 3 appearances during the tournament, although he did not appear in the final, a 1–0 win over FC Dallas.[2][5]

In the 2006 season, Nagamura made 29 appearances and had 4 assists during the regular season as the Galaxy finished 5th in the West, failing to qualify for the playoffs.[2][6] He also played 3 times in the Open Cup, helping LA reach the final, where Nagamura and the Galaxy fell 1–0 to the Chicago Fire.[2]

Toronto FC

On November 17, 2006, Nagamura was selected by Toronto FC in the 2006 MLS Expansion Draft.[7] He made his TFC debut on April 7, 2007, the first game in club history, in a 2–0 loss to Chivas USA.[8] He made 4 appearances for Toronto prior to being traded.[8]

Chivas USA

On May 4, 2007, Nagamura was traded to Chivas USA in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.[9][10] He made his debut for the Chivas USA on May 6, playing the full 90 in a 2–1 loss to D.C. United.[8] On June 9 he scored his first goal for Chivas USA to give the Goats a 1–0 win over the Chicago Fire.[8] Nagamura ended the regular season with 2 goals and 2 assists in 22 appearances, helping Chivas finish 1st in the Western Conference.[11][12] Nagamura played in both of Chivas's playoff games, losing in the Conference Semifinals 1–0 to the Kansas City Wizards on aggregate.[8]

On April 12, Nagamura picked up his first goal and assist of the 2008 season in a 4–3 loss to the Columbus Crew. On August 14, he scored and had an assist against the LA Galaxy to help Chivas draw 2–2 against his former club.[13] Nagamura made 24 appearances, scored 2 goals, and had 3 assists in regular season play, helping Chivas finish 2nd in the West.[11][14] He played in both of Chivas's playoff games, with the Goats losing 3–2 on aggregate to Real Salt Lake in the Conference Semifinals.[13] The 2008 season also saw Nagamura play once in the Open Cup, twice in the CONCACAF Champions League, and twice in the North American SuperLiga.

In the opening match of the 2009 season, Nagamura scored twice to give Chivas a 2–1 win over the Colorado Rapids.[15] Chivas qualified for the playoffs again in 2009, finishing 4th in the conference, with Nagamura making 27 appearances, scoring 4 goals, and recording 2 assists in regular season play.[11][16] Once again, Nagamura and Chivas would not advance past the first round, losing to the Galaxy 3–2 on aggregate in the Conference Semifinals.[15] He also played in all 3 of Chivas's games in the SuperLiga group stage, with the Goats finishing bottom of the group. His contract with Chivas expired after the 2009 season.[17][18]

Tigres UANL

In January 2010, Nagamura signed with Mexican Primera División club Tigres UANL.[17] On January 23, he made his debut for Tigres, coming off the bench in a 3–1 loss to C.D. Guadalajara.[19][20] Nagamura appeared in 14 of Tigres's 17 games in the Clausura season, making 11 starts. Tigres failed to qualify for the Liguilla playoffs.[21]

Return to Chivas USA

On June 25, 2010, Nagamura signed with Chivas USA for a second stint.[22] He made his first appearance of the 2010 MLS season on July 24 in a 1–1 draw to Real Salt Lake.[23] he scored his first goal of his 2nd stint with Chivas on September 10, helping Chivas beat the New England Revolution 2–0.[23] Nagamura made 15 appearances and scored 1 goal in the regular season as Chivas finished 8th in the Western Conference, missing out on the playoffs.[23][24]

Nagamura missed the first 4 games of the 2011 season after he injured his calf in preseason.[25] He made his season debut on April 16, coming off the bench in a 0–0 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps.[26] He aggravated his calf injury during the game and missed the following 6 matches.[25] On August 24 Nagamura was subbed off after breaking his foot in a 1–0 loss to the Portland Timbers. He missed the final 8 games of the season.[26][25] He ended the season with just 11 appearances, 6 of them starts, and 1 assist as Chivas finished 8th in the West and missed the playoffs again.[26][27]

Sporting Kansas City

On November 29, 2011, Nagamura was traded to Sporting Kansas City for a 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft pick.[28][29][30] He missed the first game of the 2012 season due to a calf injury.[31] On March 17, 2012, Nagamura made his SKC debut, coming off the bench in a 3–0 win against the New England Revolution.[32] He scored his first goal for Kansas City on May 29 in a 3–2 win against Orlando City in the U.S. Open Cup 3rd round.[20] In June, Nagamura had a groin injury that caused him to miss 4 MLS and 2 Open Cup games.[31] On August 8, Nagamura played 120 minutes as Sporting beat the Philadelphia Union 3–2 on penalties in the Open Cup Final, with Nagamura converting the winning PK.[33] He ended the regular season with 27 appearances, 1 goal, and 1 assist, helping SKC finish 1st in the Eastern Conference.[32][34] He missed both of Kansas City's playoff games after hurting his ankle in the regular season finale. SKC lost 2–1 on aggregate to the Houston Dynamo in his absence.[35]

Paulo Nagamura, in blue, defends against three Houston Dynamo players at Livestrong Sporting Park on July 7, 2012

After starting 15 of Kansas City's first 16 MLS games of the 2013 season, Nagamura played just twice over the final 18 games due to an ankle injury.[36][37] He ended the regular season with 17 appearances and 1 assist as Sporting finished 2nd in the East.[38] Nagamura missed the first leg of the Conference Semifinals because of his ankle injury, but returned for the second leg, playing 97 minutes to help SKC defeat New England 3–1 in extra time, advancing 4–2 on aggregate. He played the full match in both legs of the Conference Finals as Sporting beat Houston 2–1 on aggregate.[37] In MLS Cup 2013, Nagamura played 120 minutes and converted his penalty kick to help SKC defeat Real Salt Lake 7–6 on penalties, giving the club its first league title since 2000.[37] He also played once in the Open Cup and made one appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, helping Kansas City top their group.[20]

Having missed the first 2 MLS games of the 2014 season due to an injury, Nagamura made his first appearance of the season on March 12 in leg 1 of the CCL quarterfinals, a 1–0 win vs Cruz Azul.[20] Seven days later, Nagamura and SKC lost the second leg 5–1.[20] On July 6, he hurt his ankle in a 1–1 draw with the Chicago Fire that kept him out for 2 months.[39][40][41] Nagamura ended the regular season with 21 appearances, 2 goals, and 3 assists, helping Kansas City finish 5th in the Eastern Conference.[39][42] He played the full 90 minutes in SKC's one playoff game, a 2–1 loss to the New York Red Bulls.[39] He also played twice in the 2014–15 CCL group stage, with SKC failing to advance from their group.[20]

2015 saw Nagamura deal with a back injury that limited his involvement in the first half of the season, keeping him out for all of June.[43][44] On August 15, Nagamura scored in the 87th and 94th minute to give SKC a 4–3 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, a performance that saw him named MLS Player of the Week.[44][33] Kansas City finished the regular season in the 6th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, with Nagamura contributing 3 goals and 1 assist in 21 regular season appearances.[45][44] In their first playoff game, Nagamura played the full 120 minutes as Sporting and the Portland Timbers played to a 2–2 draw before Portland advanced on penalties 7–6, with Nagamura converting his PK in the shootout.[44] Kansas City had better luck in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup Final, beating the Philadelphia Union 8–7 on penalties, with Nagamura playing the full 120 minutes and converting his penalty kick to help SKC win their third ever Open Cup.[33][20]

After missing the first 12 games of the 2016 season due to a calf injury, Nagamura made his first appearance of the year on May 15, coming off the bench in a 1–0 win over Orlando City.[46][47] He suffered a quad strain in June that kept him out for 2 months.[48][47] SKC qualified for the playoffs after finishing 5th in the West, but Nagamura was limited to just 9 appearances and 1 assist in the regular season due to injuries.[47][49] He would play the full 90 minutes in Kansas City's one playoff game, a 1–0 loss to the Seattle Sounders in the opening round.[47] The 2016 season also saw Nagamura play 3 times in the 2016–17 CCL group stage, with SKC failing to advance out of their group, as well as make an appearance for KC's USL affiliate club, Swope Park Rangers.[20]

On December 12, 2016, Nagamura announced his retirement.[50]

Coaching

Swope Park Rangers/Sporting Kansas City II

After retiring from playing following the 2016 season, Nagamura became an assistant coach for SKC's USL affiliate club, Swope Park Rangers.[50]

On December 4, 2017, Nagamura was promoted to head coach for Swope Park.[51] In his first season as a head coach, Nagamura led Swope Park to the playoffs. They would not return to the playoffs in the other 3 years of his tenure.[52] Prior to the 2020 season, Swope Park rebranded as Sporting Kansas City II.[53]

Nagamura left SKC II following the 2021 season.[52]

Houston Dynamo

On January 3, 2022, Nagamura was named head coach for the Houston Dynamo.[54] His tenure as Dynamo coach only lasted 29 matches, as he was fired on September 5.[55]

Chicago Fire

On January 19, 2024 Nagamura was named as an assistant coach for the Chicago Fire.[56]

Personal life

Nagamura holds a U.S. green card which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[57] Born in Brazil, he is of Japanese and Italian descent.[58]

Career statistics

Source:[11][59][60]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Los Angeles Galaxy 2005 MLS 25 0 3 0 4 0 — 32 0
2006 29 0 3 0 — 0 0 32 0
Total 54 0 6 0 4 0 0 0 64 0
Toronto FC 2007 MLS 4 0 — — — 4 0
Chivas USA 2007 MLS 22 2 0 0 2 0 — 24 2
2008 24 2 1 0 2 0 4[c] 0 31 2
2009 27 4 1 0 2 0 3[d] 0 33 4
Total 73 8 2 0 6 0 7 0 88 8
Tigres UANL 2009–10 Primera División 14 0 — — — 14 0
Chivas USA 2010 MLS 15 1 1 0 — 1[d] 0 17 1
2011 11 0 0 0 — — 11 0
Total 26 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 28 1
Sporting Kansas City 2012 MLS 27 1 3 1 0 0 — 30 2
2013 17 0 1 0 4 0 1[e] 0 23 0
2014 21 2 2 0 1 0 4[e] 0 28 2
2015 21 3 3 0 1 0 — 25 3
2016 9 0 0 0 1 0 3[e] 0 13 0
Total 95 6 9 1 7 0 8 0 119 7
Swope Park Rangers (loan) 2016 USL 1 0 — 0 0 — 1 0
Career total 267 15 18 1 17 0 16 0 318 16
  1. ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup
  2. ^ Includes MLS Cup Playoffs
  3. ^ Two appearances in CONCACAF Champions League, two appearances in North American SuperLiga
  4. ^ a b Appearances in North American SuperLiga
  5. ^ a b c Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League

Managerial statistics

As of match played September 4, 2022[61]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record[a]
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Sporting Kansas City II United States December 4, 2017 November 18, 2021 116 30 25 61 152 227 −75 025.86
Houston Dynamo United States January 3, 2022 September 5, 2022 29 8 5 16 36 48 −12 027.59
Total 145 38 30 77 188 275 −87 026.21
  1. ^ regular season only

Honors

Arsenal

Los Angeles Galaxy

Sporting Kansas City

References

  1. ^ "Arsenal thrash Stevenage". BBC. July 18, 2002. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Paulo Nagamura". LA Galaxy. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Paulo Nagamura 2005 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  4. ^ "2005 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  5. ^ "U.S. OPEN CUP: Gomez gem gives Galaxy title". Soccer America. September 29, 2005. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  6. ^ "2006 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "Danny O'Rourke Taken in MLS Expansion Draft". Our Sports Central. November 17, 2006. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Paulo Nagamura 2007 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  9. ^ "Toronto deals Nagamura to Chivas USA". CBC Sports. May 4, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "TFC trades Nagamura". Toronto Star. May 5, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d "Paulo Nagamura". Major League Soccer. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  12. ^ "2007 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Paulo Nagamura 2008 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  14. ^ "2008 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Paulo Nagamura 2009 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  16. ^ "2009 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Ramsey, Allen (January 19, 2010). "Paulo Nagamura Leaves Chivas USA For Tigres". Goal. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  18. ^ "Nagamura leaves Chivas USA for Mexico's Tigres". Sports Illustrated. January 20, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  19. ^ "Tigres UANL vs. Guadalajara - 24 January 2010 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h "Brazil - Paulo Nagamura - Matches". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  21. ^ "Paulo Nagamura Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  22. ^ "Chivas USA Sign Their Former Midfielder, Paulo Nagamura". Goal. June 26, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  23. ^ a b c "Paulo Nagamura 2010 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  24. ^ "2010 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  25. ^ a b c Rodriguez, Alicia (November 26, 2011). "Chivas USA 2011 Postmortem: Paulo Nagamura". Angels on Parade. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  26. ^ a b c "Paulo Nagamura 2011 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  27. ^ "2011 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  28. ^ "Chivas USA deal Nagamura to SKC for supplemental pick". Major League Soccer. November 29, 2011. Archived from the original on May 1, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  29. ^ Vertelney, Seth (November 29, 2011). "Sporting Kansas City acquires midfielder Paulo Nagamura from Chivas USA". Goal. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  30. ^ Straus, Brian (November 29, 2011). "Sporting Kansas City lands Nagamura in trade with Chivas USA". Sporting News. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  31. ^ a b Brisendine, Steve (July 10, 2012). "Nagamura's season back on upswing in Kansas City". Sporting KC. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  32. ^ a b "Paulo Nagamura 2012 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  33. ^ a b c "Paulo Nagamura". Sporting KC. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  34. ^ "2012 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  35. ^ Brisendine, Steve (November 7, 2012). "SKC scrambling with Nagamura out, Julio Cesar doubtful". Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  36. ^ "Midfielder Paulo Nagamura returns to lineup for Sporting KC". Kansas City Star. November 7, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  37. ^ a b c "Paulo Nagamura 2013 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  38. ^ "2013 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  39. ^ a b c "Paulo Nagamura 2014 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  40. ^ Brisendine, Steve (October 3, 2014). "Now healthy again, Paulo Nagamura is back in his role as Sporting Kansas City's "spark plug"". Sporting KC. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  41. ^ McDowell, Sam (August 13, 2014). "Sporting KC midfielder Paulo Nagamura close to returning from injury". Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  42. ^ "2014 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  43. ^ McDowell, Sam (August 7, 2015). "Injury to Sporting KC midfielder Roger Espinoza creates opportunity for Paulo Nagamura". Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  44. ^ a b c d "Paulo Nagamura 2015 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  45. ^ "2015 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  46. ^ Clark, R.J. (April 10, 2016). "Quick Points From Another Sporting KC Win". Reporting KC. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  47. ^ a b c d "Paulo Nagamura 2016 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  48. ^ "Preview: Sporting KC vs. Portland Timbers". Our Sports Central. July 29, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  49. ^ "2016 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  50. ^ a b Gartland, Ben (December 12, 2016). "Paulo Nagamura announces retirement, will join Swope Park Rangers' staff". The Blue Testament. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  51. ^ Kovzan, Sam (December 4, 2017). "Paulo Nagamura named Swope Park Rangers head coach". Sporting KC. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  52. ^ a b Kovzan, Sam (November 18, 2021). "Paulo Nagamura ends tenure as Sporting KC II head coach to pursue other professional opportunities". Sporting KC. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  53. ^ Kovsan, Sam (September 30, 2019). "Sporting Club's USL Championship team to become Sporting Kansas City II". Sporting KC. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  54. ^ "Houston Dynamo FC hire Paulo Nagamura as head coach". Houston Dynamo FC. January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  55. ^ "Houston Dynamo part ways with Paulo Nagamura".
  56. ^ "Head Coach Frank Klopas Names Coaching Staff for 2024 Season". ChicagoFireFC.com. Chicago Fire. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  57. ^ Steve Brisendine (February 3, 2012). "Sporting seek to free up international spots with sight on green cards | Sporting Kansas City". Sportingkc.com. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  58. ^ "Menon - Carretilha e elástico. Tem japonês no futebol, sim senhor". blogdomenon.blogosfera.uol.com.br.
  59. ^ "Paulo Nagamura Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  60. ^ "Paulo Nagamura | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  61. ^ "Paulo Nagamura career sheet". www.footballdatabase.eu. Retrieved December 29, 2021.

External links

Chicago Fire FC – current squad
Houston Dynamo – Head coaches
Categories