Andy Polo

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Poloand the second or maternal family name is Andrade.

Andy Polo

Personal information
Full name	Andy Jorman Polo Andrade
Date of birth	(1994-09-29) 29 September 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth	Lima, Peru
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) [1]
Position(s)	Right winger, forward
Team information
Current team	Universitario de Deportes
Number	24
Youth career
2004–2011	Universitario de Deportes
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2012	Universitario de Deportes	59	(8)
2013–2014	Universidad de San Martín	28	(4)
2014	Inter Milan	0	(0)
2014–2016	Millonarios	17	(2)
2015–2016	→ Universitario de Deportes (loan)	57	(5)
2017–2019	Morelia	24	(2)
2018	→ Portland Timbers (loan)	23	(1)
2019–2022	Portland Timbers	43	(2)
2019	Portland Timbers 2	1	(0)
2022–	Universitario de Deportes	93	(5)
International career‡
2009–2010	Peru U15	4	(1)
2010–2011	Peru U17	4	(3)
2011–2013	Peru U20	4	(1)
2016–	Peru	50	(1)
Medal record Men's football Representing   Peru Copa América Runner-up 2019 Brazil
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 September 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:33, 15 October 2024 (UTC)

Andy Jorman Polo Andrade (born 29 September 1994), commonly known as La Joya (The Jewel), is a Peruvian professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Peruvian Liga 1 club Universitario de Deportes and the Peru national team.

Polo made his professional debut with Peruvian club Universitario in the 2011 season at the young age of 16. ^[2] Polo built a name for himself with his rapid acceleration and scoring skills. Being able to play in any of the four attacking positions, in his first season he quickly became an asset in the attacking force of his team. As the team's top scorer, Polo helped the Universitario under-20 squad win the 2011 U-20 Copa Libertadores. ^[3]

Club career

Universitario de Deportes

Polo got his start in the youth ranks of Universitario de Deportes and was promoted to the first team in 2011 under manager José del Solar. He made his official debut in the Torneo Descentralizado on 23 April 2011, against Alianza Atletico in the ninth round of the 2011 Descentralizado season, at the age of 16. ^[4] His debut match was played at home in the Monumental and finished 1–0 in favor of Universitario de Deportes. ^[4] Polo played from the start and was later substituted for Raúl Ruidíaz in the 67th minute. ^[5] In his second professional match, he scored his first senior career goal on 6 May 2011 in a league match at home against Cienciano del Cuzco. ^[6] Polo scored the goal in the 8th minute of the match by controlling with his head a lobbed through ball from Pablo Vitti and finishing with a strong left-footed shot into the top-right corner of the net. ^[7]

In a very short time, he earned a spot in the starting eleven and played in the following league games. ^[8] In round 15, Polo was on the scoresheet again in the 3–0 home win over Unión Comercio. ^[9] Then, he made his Torneo Intermedio (now known as the Copa Inca) debut on 28 May 2011 in the First Round against Sport Ancash. ^[10] With Universitario starting the match mainly with players from the reserves and already behind two goals, Polo entered the match in the 46th minute but could not help his side avoid the 3–2 elimination away to the Rosas Pampa Stadium in Huaraz. ^[11] With the league in the mid season rest, Polo, aged 16 years, was selected by manager Javier Chirinos for the under-20 Universitario squad to participate in the first edition of the 2011 U-20 Copa Libertadores. ^[3] He managed to score three goals in six games and finished as the team's top scorer. ^[3] Polo went on to help his side win the very first U-20 Copa Libertadores alongside notable players such as Edison Flores and Willyan Mimbela. ^[12] Chirinos included him in the starting eleven in all of the games including the final against Boca Juniors, which his side defeated 4–2 on penalties. ^[3]

Polo made his debut in a senior international competition on 1 September 2011 in the second round of the Copa Sudamericana away to Deportivo Anzoategui. ^[13] He was in the starting line up and later provided the assist for teammate Johan Fano's winning goal in the 49th minute, which gave his club a 2–1 win in the first leg. ^[13] After his club got through to the next round and on the day of his 17th birthday, Polo was voted man of the match after he provided an assist for Raul Ruidiaz's goal in the 1–1 draw in the first leg match away to Godoy Cruz. ^{[14] [15]} In his fourth match of the tournament, he scored his first goal in the Copa Sudamericana in the second leg at home (Miguel Grau stadium) against Godoy Cruz. ^[16] His goal came in the 85th minute by heading in a cross from Edison Flores and eventually forced the match to a penalty shootout, which Universitario won 3–2. ^[16]

At the end of the season, Polo was given the award for Jugador Revelación (Breakthrough Player) of the 2011 Torneo Descentralizado season. ^[17] In January 2012, he signed a contract with Serie A club Genoa to join the club upon reaching 18 years of age. ^[18] Thus, Polo was to remain for six more months in Universitario; however, he ended up staying in the club during the whole year. In February 2013, he announced that his deal with Genoa had been annulled, for the club did not want to contract his services anymore. and that he would stay in Peru. ^[19] On 23 March, Universitario made public that Polo would not stay in the club. ^[20]

Universidad de San Martín

On 27 March, Universidad de San Martín announced that it had registered Polo before the transfer deadline date, but that he first had to solve irregularities in his contract with Universitario before being able to sign a contract with San Martín. ^[21] In April, Polo was enabled to play with San Martín by the Chamber of Conciliation and Dispute Resolution of the Peruvian Football Federation. ^[22] He played his first game with los Albos against Universidad Técnica de Cajamarca, coming from the bench in the second half. ^[23] In July, Polo scored his first goal with the club against Alianza Lima. ^[24]

Inter Milan

On 31 January 2014, Italian club Inter Milan signed Polo on a short-term contract for an undisclosed fee. ^[25] He then joined the youth sector of the club, comprised by under-19 players. He played his first game in March against Padova and scored his first goal on the next matchday against Cagliari. Polo played a total of 9 matches, becoming the starting right winger, and scored 2 goals. He was also on the bench for a first team game against ChievoVerona on the last matchday of the season, but did not manage to play.

Millonarios and loan to Universitario

In July 2014, Colombian club Millonarios bought 50% of Polo's playing rights in 2014 and loaned Polo for 3 years with the option to buy the other 50%. He played his first game with the club in a Copa Colombia group stage 1–2 defeat against Llaneros, in which he gave an assist. He scored 2 goals in 11 games in six months in the team, during which his playing time diminished.

In January 2015, Polo was loaned to Universitario, initially barely playing under manager Luis Fernando Suárez. During the Torneo Clausura, the arrival of manager Roberto Chale saw him quickly entering the starting XI. In November, Polo scored his only goal of the season on matchday 17, with a free kick in a 1–2 victory against Sporting Cristal. He remained in Universitario for the 2016 season, becoming a key player in an offensive quartet that also included Edison Flores, Raúl Ruidíaz and Diego Guastavino, which led the club to victory in the 2016 Torneo Apertura. ^[26] Flores was sold and Ruidíaz left on a loan before the Torneo Clausura, which led to a decrease in performance in this stage. Despite that, the team managed to reach the playoffs' semifinals, where they were eliminated by FBC Melgar 3–4 on aggregate, with Polo scoring in the away match. For the third place match, they defeated Deportivo Municipal 3–2.

Monarcas Morelia

In January 2017, Polo moved to Mexico and signed for Monarcas Morelia. ^[27] He played his first game with the club on January 22, in a 1–1 tie against Santos Laguna. ^[28] He scored 2 goals in 15 league matches in his first season with the team. In the Copa MX, where the club reached the final, losing to CD Guadalajara, Polo scored 1 goal in 1 match. ^[29] During the 2017–18 season, he played a total of 9 league matches and 1 cup match without scoring a goal. ^[29]

Portland Timbers

In January 2018, due to a lack of minutes at Morelia, he signed on loan for one season with Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. ^[30] Targeted Allocation Money was used to avoid the use of a designated player contract. ^[31] Polo made his debut in the opening round of the 2018 MLS fixtures. He started the game as the Timbers lost 2–1 to LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center. ^[32] The team managed to reach the MLS Cup 2018 in December, which they lost 2–0 to Atlanta United with Polo playing as a starter. After good performances and securing a starting spot, his move to Portland became permanent at the end of that season, earning $150,000 guaranteed salary per year. ^{[33] [34]} On 9 February 2022, he was suspended by MLS pending an investigation into allegations of domestic violence made by his ex-wife. ^[35] The following day Portland terminated Polo's contract with the club. ^[36]

Return to Universitario

After being terminated by the Timbers, he signed with Universitario de Deportes in March 2022. ^[37] The contract was paid in full by MLS upon his termination with his Contract with the Timbers. Despite his return, there was backlash by fans of the club as well as from the Peruvian Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations, with the Ministry releasing a statement expressing their solidarity with Genesis Alarcon and her children and urged the club to take immediate actions in response to the events related to Polo. ^{[38] [39]} With Universitario, he won the 2023 Liga 1 after defeating Alianza Lima in the finals.

International career

In May 2018, he was named in Peru's squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. ^[40]

Personal life

Polo was born in the Barrios Altos neighbourhood of Lima. In 2022, his estranged wife filed a civil suit against him for domestic violence. In 2024, the jury in Oregon awarded her $600,000 in damages, finding Polo liable for assault, battery, and negligence. ^[41]

Career statistics

As of 28 September 2024 ^[2]

Club

Club	Season	League			National cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Universitario de Deportes	2011	Peruvian Primera División	19	4	0	0	5 [lower-alpha 1]	3	—		24	7
	2012		40	4	2	0	—		—		42	4
	Total		59	8	2	0	5	3	—		66	11
Universidad de San Martín	2013	Peruvian Primera División	28	4	0	0	—		—		28	4
Inter Milan	2013–14	Serie A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Millonarios	2014	Categoría Primera A	11	2	5	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	—		17	0
Universitario de Deportes (loan)	2015	Peruvian Primera División	24	1	1	0	2 [lower-alpha 1]	0	—		27	1
	2016		33	4	0	0	2 [lower-alpha 1]	0	—		35	4
	Total		57	5	1	0	4	0	—		62	5
Atlético Morelia	2016–17	Liga MX	15	2	2	1	—		—		17	3
	2017–18		9	0	1	0	—		—		10	0
	Total		24	2	3	1	—		—		27	3
Portland Timbers (loan)	2018	Major League Soccer	23	1	1	0	—		5 [lower-alpha 2]	0	29	1
Portland Timbers	2019	Major League Soccer	19	0	0	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	20	0
	2020		20	2	0	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	21	2
	2021		4	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 3]	0	0	0	5	0
	Total		43	2	0	0	1	0	2	0	46	0
Portland Timbers 2	2019	USL Championship	1	0	—		—		—		1	0
Universitario de Deportes	2022	Peruvian Primera División	28	1	0	0	—		—		28	1
	2023		32	1	0	0	9 [lower-alpha 1]	0	—		41	0
	2024		30	3	0	0	6 [lower-alpha 1]	0	—		36	3
	Total		90	5	0	0	15	0	—		105	5
Career total			336	29	16	1	26	3	7	0	370	33

1. Appearance(s) in the Copa Sudamericana
2. Appearance(s) in the MLS Cup Playoffs
3. Appearance in CONCACAF Champions Cup

International

Statistics accurate as of match played 15 October 2024. ^[42]

Peru
Year	Apps	Goals
2016	9	1
2017	6	0
2018	6	0
2019	10	0
2020	4	0
2021	0	0
2022	2	0
2023	6	0
2024	7	0
Total	50	1

As of match played 28 May 2016. Peru score listed first, score column indicates score after each Polo goal. ^[29]

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	28 May 2016	RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., United States	2	El Salvador	2–0	3–1	Friendly

Honours

Club

Universitario de Deportes

• Peruvian Primera División: Apertura 2016
• Peruvian Primera División: 2023
• Torneo Apertura: 2024

Universitario de Deportes U20

• U-20 Copa Libertadores: 2011

Portland Timbers

• MLS is Back Tournament: 2020 ^[43]

References

1. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
2. "Player – Andy Polo". FootballDatabase. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
3. "Club Universitario de Deportes Campeon de la Copa Libertadores Sub-20 Peru 2011". daleucampeon.4t.com (in Spanish). 28 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
4. "Match: Universitario 1-0 Alianza Atlético de Sullana". footballdatabase.eu. 23 April 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
5. "U. Deportes1 - 0Alianza Atl". ESPN. 23 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
6. "Andy Polo hizo su primer gol en la profesional" (in Spanish). larepublica.pe. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
7. "Match: Universitario Lima 5-0 Cienciano". footballdatabase.eu. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
8. "Fixtures/Results for 2011". footballdatabase.eu. December 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
9. "Match: Universitario 3-0 Unión Comercio". footballdatabase.eu. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
10. "Áncash 3 - Universitario 2" (in Spanish). dechalaca.com. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
11. "Match: Sport Ancash 3-2 Universitario". footballdatabase.eu. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
12. "Peruvian striker Andy Polo makes headlines". bbc.co.uk. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
13. "Match: Anzoategui 1-2 Universitario". footballdatabase.eu. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
14. "Andy Polo de Universitario fue elegido el jugador del partido" (in Spanish). terra.com.pe. 29 September 2011. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
15. "Match: Godoy Cruz 1-1 Universitario". footballdatabase.eu. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
16. "Match: Universitario 3-2 Godoy Cruz". footballdatabase.eu. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
17. "Premiación a los campeones de la Copa Movistar 2011" (in Spanish). terra.com.pe. 20 January 2012. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
18. "Andy Polo viajó a Italia: "Cumpliré mi gran sueño de jugar en Europa"" [Andy Polo traveled to Italy: "I will fulfill my big dream of playing in Europe"]. Depor (in Spanish). 14 January 2012. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
19. "Génova oficializó anulación de contrato de Andy Polo" [Genoa formalized the annulment of Andy Polo's contract]. Peru.com (in Spanish). 27 February 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
20. "Universitario de Deportes oficializó salida de Andy Polo" [Universitario de Deportes formalized Andy Polo's exit]. La República (in Spanish). 23 March 2013. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
21. "San Martín inscribe a Andy Polo en "lista de buena fe", revela Álvaro Barco" [San Martín registers Andy Polo in a "good faith list", reveals Álvaro Barco]. RPP (in Spanish). 27 March 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
22. "Andy Polo, habilitado para jugar por la San Martín" [Andy Polo, enabled to play for San Martín]. Perú.21 (in Spanish). 30 April 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
23. "San Martín 1 - 1 UTC". ADFP (in Spanish). 20 November 2023. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
24. "Andy Polo tras marcarle a Alianza Lima: "Uribe me dijo que entre con convicción"" [Andy Polo after scoring against Alianza Lima: "Uribe told me to enter the field with conviction"]. Líbero (in Spanish). 14 July 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
25. Rachel Case (31 January 2014). "Peruvian footballer Andy Polo signs with Inter Milan". Living in Peru. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
26. "Millonarios vendió al peruano Andy Polo al Monarcas de México". elespectador.com. El Espectador. 10 January 2017.
27. "Ex-Inter Milan Peruvian striker Andy Polo transfers to Monarcas Morelia - FutnSoccer". futnsoccer.com. FutnSoccer. 10 January 2017.
28. "Andy Polo fue ovacionado en su debut con Monarcas Morelia" [Andy Polo was cheered in his debut with Monarcas Morelia]. El Comercio (in Spanish). 22 January 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
29. Andy Polo at Soccerway
30. "Timbers acquire Peruvian winger Andy Polo" (Press release). Portland Timbers. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
31. Carlisle, Jeff (13 January 2018). "Timbers sign Peru attacker Polo - sources". ESPN. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
32. "LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers - Football Match Line-Ups". ESPN. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
33. "Portland Timbers 2019 Salaries | Player & Team Caps". Salary Sport. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
34. "Portland Timbers announce roster status ahead of 2019 season". Portland Timbers. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
35. Freeman, Joe (9 February 2020). "Portland Timbers' Andy Polo accused of domestic violence, suspended by MLS". The Oregonian/Oregon Live. Advance Publications. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
36. "Timbers terminate contract of Andy Polo" (Press release). Portland Tiumbers. 10 February 2022.
37. "Universitario oficializa a Andy Polo y aclara su situación legal en Perú y en Estados Unidos" [Universitario announces Andy Polo and clarifies his legal situation in Peru and in the United States]. El Comercio (in Spanish). 11 March 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
38. Carlisle, Jeff (23 March 2022). "Andy Polo paid in full by MLS, Portland Timbers following domestic violence allegations, says Universitario executive". ESPN.
39. @MimpPeru (22 March 2022). "Pronunciamiento del Ministerio de la Mujer y Poblaciones Vulnerables #HazLaDiferencia #FrenaLaViolencia" (Tweet) (in Spanish) – via Twitter.
40. "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists". goal.com. Goal. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
41. Carlisle, Jeff. "Jury awards wife of Andy Polo $600K in civil suit for domestic violence". ESPN. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
42. "Andy Polo". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
43. "Dario Zuparic goal clinches MLS Back is Tournament for Portland Timbers". The Guardian. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.

External links

• Goal.com Profile
• depor.pe
• Andy Polo at National-Football-Teams.com
• Andy Polo at Soccerway
• Andy Polo at Liga MX ( archive ) (in Spanish)