Cristián Gutiérrez (soccer, born 1997)

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Gutiérrez and the second or maternal family name is Zúñiga.
Cristián Gutiérrez
Gutiérrez with Colo-Colo in 2019
Personal information
Full name Cristián Daniel Gutiérrez Zúñiga
Date of birth (1997-02-18) 18 February 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Universidad de Concepción
Youth career
Colo-Colo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2014 Colo-Colo B 5 (0)
2015–2019 Colo-Colo 27 (0)
2017 → Unión Española (loan) 11 (0)
2017–2018 → Huachipato (loan) 14 (0)
2020–2023 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 42 (0)
2022 → Whitecaps FC 2 (loan) 3 (0)
2023 Toronto FC 6 (0)
2023 → Toronto FC II (loan) 3 (0)
2024– Universidad de Concepción 2 (0)
International career‡
2015–2017 Chile U20 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 March 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1 October 2017

Cristián Daniel Gutiérrez Zúñiga (born 18 February 1997) is a professional soccer player who plays as a left-back for Universidad de Concepción in the Primera B de Chile. Born in Canada, he previously represented Chile at the U20 level, but filed his FIFA one-time switch in 2021 to switch allegiances to Canada.

Early life

Gutiérrez was born in Greenfield Park, Quebec in Canada and moved to Santiago, Chile with his family when he was four.[1][2] He began playing soccer at age five with the youth system of Colo-Colo.[3] In 2013, he won the U17 title with Colo-Colo.[4]

Club career

He began his senior career with Colo-Colo B in 2013 in the Segunda División Profesional de Chile.

Gutiérrez made his professional debut with Colo-Colo in a 3–1 Copa Chile home win over Deportes Concepción on 1 March 2015.[5][6] In November 2015, he signed a professional contract with the club through 2019.[7] After being a consistent first team player, he was part of the 2015 Torneo Apertura winning team.[8]

After being demoted back to the Colo-Colo youth teams,[9] in February 2017, he went on loan to fellow Chilean side Unión Española.[10][11] In August 2017, Gutiérrez was loaned to Huachipato.[12][13] In March 2019, his loan was terminated early for him to return to Colo-Colo.[14][15][16] He departed the club upon the expiry of his contract in December 2019, after not having his contract renewed.[17][18]

In January 2020, he joined Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps FC on a two-year contract with an additional two option years.[19][20] He made his debut during the MLS is Back Tournament on 19 July against Seattle Sounders FC.[21] He became a regular fixture for the club in his first couple of seasons, despite initially arriving as a back up.[22] Between the final matches of the 2020 season and the beginning of the 2021 season, he set the club MLS record for longest assist streak by a defender.[23] With the club, he won the 2022 Canadian Championship.[24]

In March 2023, he was claimed off waivers by Toronto FC.[25][26] In May 2023, he was loaned to the second team Toronto FC II in MLS Next Pro,[27] where he appeared in their match on May 15 against New England Revolution II, which was his first match action after returning from an illness that kept him out since his arrival to Toronto.[28] He made his first team debut on June 21 against FC Cincinnati.[29]

In March 2024, he returned to Chile and signed with Universidad de Concepción.[30]

International career

Gutiérrez was eligible to represent both Canada and Chile.

In 2015, he was named to the Chile U20 team for the L'Alcúdia Tournament, helping them win the title.[31][32] He then subsequently represented the squad at the 2017 South American U-20 Championship.[33]

After previously rejecting calls from the Canada national team, as he had been waiting for additional opportunities with Chile,[34][35] in 2020, Gutiérrez filed his FIFA one-time switch to switch his representation from Chile to Canada.[36] He was called up to the Canada national team for the first time, for a training camp in January 2021.[37] In March 2021, he was called up ahead of matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle.[38] After initially being unselected for the 2021 Gold Cup, he was later named as an injury replacement for Alphonso Davies, but would not travel to the Gold Cup and would remain with the MLS club, unless needed by Canada.[39][40] However, despite regularly being called up for World Cup qualifying, he did not make his debut featuring on the bench six times,[41][42] and was not ultimately selected to the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad.[43][44]

Personal life

His twin brother Diego is also a professional soccer player.[45]

References

  1. ^ McColl, Michael (22 January 2020). "Move to Whitecaps and MLS not really a return home for Cristian Gutiérrez but it is an important "next stage" in his footballing growth". Away from the Numbers.
  2. ^ "Whitecaps FC acquire Canadian-born left back Cristián Gutiérrez". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 16 January 2020.
  3. ^ Cristián Gutiérrez at the Canadian Soccer Association
  4. ^ Echagüe, Patricio (13 July 2021). "El notable cambio de vida de Cristián Gutiérrez: De no tener lugar en Colo Colo a ser opción mundialista para Canadá en el 2026" [Cristián Gutiérrez's notable change in life: From not having a place in Colo Colo to being a World Cup option for Canada in 2026]. Dale Albo (in Spanish).
  5. ^ "Hasta lo eligieron la figura: Twitter se cargó de elogios para el joven Cristián Gutiérrez" [The figure even chose him: Twitter was loaded with praise for the young Cristián Gutiérrez]. El Gráfico (in Spanish). 16 July 2015. Archived from the original on 2 August 2015.
  6. ^ Molinaro, John (21 March 2023). "MLS rules explained: Why isn't TFC on the hook for Gutiérrez's full salary cap hit?". TFC Republic.
  7. ^ "Cristián Gutiérrez firma hasta 2019 en Colo Colo" [Cristián Gutiérrez signs until 2019 in Colo Colo]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 3 November 2015.
  8. ^ Olmos, Matías León (23 March 2021). "Ex Colo-Colo fue nominado a la selección de Canadá" [Former Colo-Colo was nominated for the Canadian team]. Sentimiento Popular (in Spanish).
  9. ^ González, Christian (6 March 2019). ""Hice lo que tenía que haber hecho desde que llegué, irme del club": la frase que le rebota a Cristián Gutiérrez al volver a Colo Colo" ["I did what I had to do since I arrived, leave the club": the phrase that bounces off Cristián Gutiérrez when he returns to Colo Colo]. La Tercera (in Spanish).
  10. ^ "Cristián Gutiérrez jugará a préstamo en Unión Española" [Cristián Gutiérrez will play on loan in Unión Española]. Estadio CDF (in Spanish). 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  11. ^ Lobos, Giuseppina (20 February 2017). "Cristián Gutiérrez y su salida de Colo Colo: "Hice lo que tendría que haber hecho desde que llegué: irme del club"" [Cristián Gutiérrez and his departure from Colo Colo: "I did what I should have done since I arrived: leave the club"]. Publimetro (in Spanish).
  12. ^ "Cristián Gutiérrez se Vestirá de Acerero" [Cristián Gutiérrez Will Dress as a Steelworker]. Club Deportivo Huachipato (in Spanish). 3 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Cristián Gutiérrez se transformó en nuevo refuerzo de Huachipato" [Cristián Gutiérrez became a new reinforcement of Huachipato]. Radio Cooperativa (in Spanish). 3 August 2017.
  14. ^ "Cristián Gutiérrez vuelve a su casa y es el último refuerzo albo" [Cristián Gutiérrez returns home and is the last reinforcement albo]. Colo-Colo (in Spanish). 6 March 2019.
  15. ^ Arellano, Francisco (7 March 2019). "Oficial: Colo Colo confirma el regreso de Cristián Gutiérrez: "¡Vuelves a tu casa, Flaco querido!"" [Official: Colo Colo confirms the return of Cristián Gutiérrez: "You go back to your house, Flaco dear!"]. Dale Albo (in Spanish).
  16. ^ Marcel, Sebastián (7 March 2019). "Mario Salas explica la llegada de Gutiérrez: "Tiene la experiencia suficiente y sabe cómo juega Colo Colo"" [Mario Salas explains the arrival of Gutiérrez: "He has enough experience and knows how Colo Colo plays"]. Dale Albo (in Spanish).
  17. ^ Marcel, Sebastián (2 December 2019). "Cristián Gutiérrez y Andrés Vilches no seguirán en Colo Colo para la temporada 2020" [Cristián Gutiérrez and Andrés Vilches will not continue in Colo Colo for the 2020 season]. Dale Albo (in Spanish).
  18. ^ "El lamento de Cristián Gutiérrez: "Siempre quise quedarme en Colo Colo y esperaba una renovación"" [Cristián Gutiérrez's lament: "I always wanted to stay in Colo Colo and expected a renewal"]. El Periscopio (in Spanish). 17 March 2020.
  19. ^ Echagüe, Patricio (16 January 2020). "Con lindo photoshopeo el Vancouver Whitecaps "transforma" a Cristián Gutiérrez en su nuevo refuerzo" [With cute photoshopping, the Vancouver Whitecaps "transform" Cristián Gutiérrez into their new reinforcement]. Dale Albo (in Spanish).
  20. ^ "Whitecaps FC acquire Canadian-born left back Cristián Gutiérrez". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 16 January 2020.
  21. ^ Schaffner, Andre (14 March 2023). "Cristián Gutiérrez acquired off waivers by Toronto FC". Waking the Red.
  22. ^ Gangué-Ruzic, Alexandre (22 July 2021). "Nice Surprise: Cristian Gutierrez and Javain Brown quietly emerging as valuable full back options for Vancouver Whitecaps". BTS Vancouver.
  23. ^ Pereira, Sebastian (29 April 2021). "Quality Time, presented by GE Appliances: Cristián Gutiérrez". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  24. ^ Pereira, Sebastian (4 January 2023). "Cristián Gutiérrez thankful for special moments, challenges faced in 2022". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  25. ^ Bedakian, Armen (14 March 2023). "Toronto FC pick up CanMNT defender Cristian Gutierrez off Whitecaps waivers". OneSoccer.
  26. ^ Molinaro, John (14 March 2023). "Transaction tracker: TFC adds defensive depth with Cristián Gutiérrez". TFC Republic.
  27. ^ "Toronto FC loan Romero and Gutiérrez to Toronto FC II". Toronto FC. 14 May 2023.
  28. ^ Molinaro, John (16 May 2023). "TFC 2 report: Cristián Gutiérrez gets a run with Young Reds". TFC Republic.
  29. ^ "FC Cincinnati 3, Toronto FC 0 - 2023 MLS Match Recap". Toronto FC. 21 June 2023.
  30. ^ Inostroza, Paulo (13 March 2024). "UdeC sumó al mundialista Felipe Gutiérrez y otros dos refuerzos" [UdeC added World Cup player Felipe Gutiérrez and two other reinforcements]. Diario Concepción (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Selección Chielna Sub 20 viajó a España para disputar el Torneo de Alucidia" [Chilean Under 20 team traveled to Spain to play the Alcudia Tournament] (in Spanish). ANFP. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  32. ^ Roggero, José (19 August 2015). "¡La Roja sub 20 es campeona en L'Alcúdia!". El Mostrador (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  33. ^ Escobillana, Felipe (30 January 2022). "El chileno que está cerca de ir al Mundial de Qatar: Cristián Gutiérrez participa con la selección de Canadá" [The Chilean who is close to going to the World Cup in Qatar: Cristián Gutiérrez participates with the Canadian team]. Red Gol (in Spanish).
  34. ^ "Chileno que jugará por Canadá: Quería estar en la Roja, pero me cansé de esperar" [Chilean who will play for Canada: I wanted to be in the Red, but I got tired of waiting]. Al Aire Libre (in Spanish). 21 July 2021.
  35. ^ Echagüe, Patricio (21 July 2021). "Cristián Gutiérrez afirma que aguardó por una oportunidad en la Roja antes de jugar por Canadá: "Nunca me citaron y me cansé de esperar"" [Cristián Gutiérrez affirms that he waited for an opportunity in the Red before playing for Canada: "They never summoned me and I got tired of waiting"]. Dale Albo (in Spanish).
  36. ^ Adams, J.J. (16 January 2021). "National team call for Cristián Gutiérrez all about the need for youth, depth in 2021". The Province.
  37. ^ Rodríguez, Diego (24 December 2020). "Adiós a la "Roja": Cristián Gutierrez fue convocado para jugar en la selección de Canadá" [Goodbye to the "Red": Cristián Gutierrez was called up to play for the Canadian team]. ADN Radio Chile (in Spanish).
  38. ^ Fernández, José Tomas (23 March 2021). "El chileno que volvió a ser llamado en Canadá" [The Chilean who was called again in Canada]. Diario AS (in Spanish).
  39. ^ "Cristián Gutiérrez officially added to Canada's Gold Cup roster". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 12 July 2021.
  40. ^ Nef, Thomas (25 July 2022). "Eye on Voyageurs Cup, C. Gutierrez calls for hunger: 'We have to win something'". OneSoccer.
  41. ^ "El festejo colocolino del mundialista Cristián Gutiérrez" [The Colocolino celebration of the World Cup Cristián Gutiérrez]. TNT Sports (in Spanish). 28 March 2022.
  42. ^ "Cristián Gutiérrez, a punto de clasificar a Qatar 2022 con Canadá" [Cristián Gutiérrez, about to qualify for Qatar 2022 with Canada]. TNT Sports (in Spanish). 26 March 2022.
  43. ^ Fernández, Deivid (13 November 2022). "El chileno Cristián Gutiérrez queda fuera de la nómina de Canadá para el Mundial de Qatar 2022" [The Chilean Cristián Gutiérrez is left out of Canada's roster for the Qatar 2022 World Cup]. Red Gol (in Spanish).
  44. ^ Lizama, Bastián (13 November 2022). "Sin el 'chileno' Cristian Gutiérrez: Canadá presenta su nómina para el Mundial de Qatar 2022" [Without the 'Chilean' Cristian Gutiérrez: Canada presents its roster for the Qatar 2022 World Cup]. ADN Radio Chile (in Spanish).
  45. ^ "Cristián Gutiérrez Whitecaps profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021.