Carlos Mercado

Last updated
Carlos Mercado
Personal information
Full name Jose Carlos Mercado [1]
Date of birth (1999-09-27) September 27, 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Laredo, Texas, U.S.
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) [2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Orlando City
Number 99
Youth career
Pachuca
2014–2017 FC Dallas
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2018–2019 Incarnate Word Cardinals 31 (0)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2018 Des Moines Menace 7 (0)
2019 Laredo Heat
2019 Corpus Christi FC 1 (0)
2020–2021 San Antonio FC 1 (0)
2023 San Antonio FC 1 (0)
2024 Orlando City B 17 (0)
2024– Orlando City 0 (0)
2024–Orlando City B (loan) 16 (0)
International career
United States U16
Mexico U18
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 20, 2025

Jose Carlos Mercado (born September 27, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Orlando City. Mercado represented the United States and Mexico at a youth level.

Contents

Youth and college career

Mercado wanted to play as a forward when he was younger, but he was put in goal for his brother's soccer team at 12-years-old after the team's goalkeeper bailed ahead of a game in a 30-and-over-league in order to prevent the game from being canceled. Mercado enjoyed the experience of playing as a goalkeeper, and he was praised for his performance, prompting his brothers to hire a goalkeeping coach for him. A few months later, Mercado tried out for Pachuca in an open tryout and was selected and joined the team's academy. [3]

Mercado joined the FC Dallas Academy in 2014 and participated in the Dallas Cup's 2015, 2016, and 2017 editions, including winning the 2017 edition. [4] Mercado also participated in multiple U.S. Soccer Development Academy championships, including winning the 2014–15 and 2015–16 U-15/16 championships with the academy. [5] [6]

In 2018, Mercado began playing college soccer at the University of the Incarnate Word. Mercado made 15 appearances in the 2018 season, making his debut against the Saint Mary's Gaels in a 6–0 loss on August 24. [7] In 2019, Mercado recorded his first college shutout in a 1–0 win against the Liberty Flames on September 1. [8] [9]

Club career

Des Moines Menace

On May 9, 2018, Mercado was announced to be on USL League Two (then the Premier Development League) side Des Moines Menace's roster. [10] Mercado made his debut on June 1 in a 2–1 win over Kaw United FC and he recorded his first shutout on June 10 in a 3–0 victory over FC Manitoba. [11] [12] Des Moines finished first in the regular season with zero losses and one draw in the Heartland Division with the highest points total in the league, with Mercado only conceding half of Des Moines' six conceded goals. [13] Mercado played in both of Des Moines' playoffs matches, but the club was defeated 1–0 by Chicago FC United in the Central Conference Final. [14] [15]

Laredo Heat

On March 21, 2019, Mercado joined Laredo Heat in the National Premier Soccer League. [16]

Corpus Christi FC

Mercado joined Corpus Christi FC in USL League Two for the 2019 season. Mercado made one appearance for the club when he played half of an 8–1 loss to Brazos Valley Cavalry FC on June 1 in which he conceded half of those goals. [17] [18]

San Antonio FC

On March 6, 2020, Mercado joined San Antonio FC in the USL Championship. [19] Mercado made one appearance for the club and made his professional debut when he came on as a 62nd-minute substitute for Matt Cardone on October 31, 2021 after Cardone sustained an injury in a 3–0 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. [20] Mercado was let go at the end of the 2021 USL Championship season, but he rejoined the club on February 14, 2023 for the 2023 USL Championship season. Mercado made just two appearances in this stint with the club, a 2–1 win over Club de Lyon on April 4 in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup and a 3–1 win over Birmingham Legion on July 1 before once again departing the club at the end of the season. [21] [22] [23] [24]

Orlando City B

On March 15, 2024, Mercado was announced to be part of Orlando City B's 2024 MLS Next Pro season roster. [25] On March 16, Mercado made his debut for Orlando City B in the season opener at Atlanta United 2 in a 3–2 victory, playing the full match. [26] On August 11, Mercado recorded his first clean sheet in a goalless draw against Crown Legacy FC. [27] On October 20, Mercado made his MLS Next Pro playoffs debut in a 1–1 draw at Chicago Fire II, but he was unable to stop any of Chicago's penalties in the ensuing shootout and Orlando City B were eliminated 5–4 on penalties. [28]

On June 26, 2025, Mercado was selected to compete in the Goalie Wars in the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge on July 22 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas alongside three other goalkeepers from MLS Next Pro. [29] Mercado was ultimately defeated 4–3 by Houston Dynamo 2's Pedro Cruz in the final. [30]

Orlando City

On September 20, 2024, Mercado was signed to a First Team contract with Orlando City through 2024 with options for 2025, 2026, and 2027. [31] In December 2024, Mercado's option for extension was declined at the conclusion of the season without him making an appearance for the club. [32] However, on January 30, 2025, Mercado was resigned to the team on a one-year deal with club options for 2026 and 2027 following Mason Stajduhar's departure earlier in the month. [33] [34]

Personal life

Mercado was born in Laredo, Texas, but lived across the border in Nuevo Laredo because it was cheaper for his parents to live there and commute to work in the United States. Mercado also has five siblings and he is the youngest. [3] Mercado is the uncle of fellow professional soccer player Sebastian Mercado and played alongside him at San Antonio FC. [19]

International career

Youth

Mercado has played for the United States at the U16 level and Mexico at the U18 level. [24]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played July 20, 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupPlayoffsOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Des Moines Menace 2018 Premier Development League 70002090
Laredo Heat 2019 National Premier Soccer League
Corpus Christi FC 2019 USL League Two 100010
San Antonio FC 2020 USL Championship 00000000
2021 10000010
2023 10100020
Total20100030
Orlando City B 2024 MLS Next Pro 170170
Orlando City B (loan)2024201030
2025 140140
Total330001000340
Orlando City 2024 Major League Soccer 000000
2025 00000000
Total0000100000
Career total430103000470

Honors

Des Moines Menace

References

  1. "United States – C. Mercado – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway".
  2. "Jose Carlos Mercado". Orlando City SC . Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  3. 1 2 Chavez, Roman (July 18, 2025). "A Kid from Laredo: How Carlos Mercado made his way to Goalie Wars". MLS Next Pro . Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  4. Kroeger, Garrett (March 21, 2019). "The Heat sign local goalkeeper Mercado". Laredo Morning Times . Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  5. "Carlos Mercado". FC Dallas . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  6. "U.S. Soccer Development Academy Champions List". SoccerWire. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  7. "Men's Soccer vs Saint Mary's on 8/24/2018". Incarnate Word Cardinals . August 24, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  8. "Men's Soccer vs Liberty on 9/1/2019". Incarnate Word Cardinals . September 1, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  9. "Carlos Mercado - Men's Soccer - University of the Incarnate Ward". Incarnate Word Cardinals . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  10. "Announcing the Menace's 2018 roster". Des Moines Menace . May 22, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  11. "Des Moines Menace at Kaw Valley FC - 2018 Regular Season". USL League Two . June 1, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  12. "Des Moines Menace at FC Manitoba - 2018 Regular Season". USL League Two . June 10, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  13. "Standings - 2018 Regular Season". USL League Two . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  14. "Des Moines Menace - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - # - Carlos Mercado". USL League Two . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  15. "Chicago FC United at Des Moines Menace - 2018 Playoffs". USL League Two . July 21, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  16. Ortiz, Edith (March 21, 2019). "Heat Announce Signing of Local Player to 2019 NPSL Roster". Laredo Heat . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  17. "Corpus Christi FC - 2019 Regular Season - Statistics". USL League Two . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  18. "Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C. at Corpus Christi FC - 2019 Regular Season". USL League Two . June 1, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  19. 1 2 "San Antonio FC signs goalkeeper Carlos Mercado". San Antonio FC . March 6, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  20. "San Antonio 3–0 Colorado". ESPN . October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  21. "Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado returns to San Antonio FC". USL Championship . February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  22. "San Antonio vs. Club de Lyon - 5 April 2023". Soccerway. April 5, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  23. "San Antonio 3–1 Birmingham (Jul 1, 2023)". ESPN . July 1, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  24. 1 2 Rollins, Sean (September 20, 2024). "Orlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado". The Mane Land. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  25. "Orlando City B announces complete roster and coaching staff for 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Season". Orlando City B . March 15, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  26. "Atlanta United II vs. Orlando City B - 16 March 2024". Soccerway. March 16, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  27. "Match Report: Orlando City B and Crown Legacy FC play to 0-0 draw". Orlando City B . August 11, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  28. "Match Report: Orlando City B eliminated by Chicago Fire FC II in penalty-kick shootout". Orlando City B . October 20, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  29. "MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeepers to Compete in Goalie Wars at MLS All-Star Skills Challenge Presented by AT&T on July 22". MLS Next Pro . June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  30. "MLS All-Stars Emerge Victorious in Record-Setting 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T". Major League Soccer . July 23, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  31. "Orlando City SC signs goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to First Team deal". Orlando City . September 20, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  32. "Orlando City SC announces end-of-season statuses following end of 2024 MLS Season". Orlando City . December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  33. "Orlando City SC re-signs goalkeeper Carlos Mercado". Orlando City . January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  34. "Orlando City SC Acquires Up to $200,000 in General Allocation Money from Real Salt Lake". Orlando City . January 15, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.