Carlos Mercado

Jose Carlos Mercado (born September 27, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Orlando City in Major League Soccer. Mercado also represented Mexico at a youth level.
==Youth and college career==
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. 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.
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. In 2019, Mercado recorded his first college shutout in a 1–0 win against the Liberty Flames on September 1.
==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. 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. 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. 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.
===Laredo Heat===
On March 21, 2019, Mercado joined Laredo Heat in the National Premier Soccer League.
===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.
===San Antonio FC===
On March 6, 2020, Mercado joined San Antonio FC in the USL Championship. 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. 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.
===Orlando City B===
On March 15, 2024, Mercado was announced to be part of Orlando City B's 2024 MLS Next Pro season roster. 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. On August 11, Mercado recorded his first clean sheet in a goalless draw against Crown Legacy FC. 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.
===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.
==Personal life==
Mercado is the uncle of fellow professional soccer player Sebastian Mercado and played alongside him at San Antonio FC.
==International career==
===Youth===
Mercado has played for the United States at the U16 level and Mexico at the U18 level.
==Career statistics==
===Club===
match played October 20, 2024
 Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club 	Season 	League 	League	League	National cup	National cup	Playoffs	Playoffs	Total	Total
Club 	Season 	Division 	Apps 	Goals 	Apps 	Goals 	Apps 	Goals 	Apps 	Goals
Des Moines Menace	2018 	Premier Development League 	7 	0 	0 	0 	2 	0 	9 	0
Laredo Heat 	2019 	National Premier Soccer League	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Corpus Christi FC	2019 	USL League Two 	1 	0 	0 	0 	— 	— 	1 	0
San Antonio FC 	2020 	USL Championship 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
San Antonio FC 	2021 	USL Championship 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1 	0
San Antonio FC 	2023 	USL Championship 	1 	0 	1 	0 	0 	0 	2 	0
San Antonio FC 	Total 	Total 	2 	0 	1 	0 	0 	0 	3 	0
Orlando City B 	2024 	MLS Next Pro 	19 	0 	— 	— 	1 	0 	20 	0
Orlando City 	2024 	Major League Soccer 	0 	0 	— 	— 	0 	0 	0 	0
Career total 	Career total	Career total 	29 	0 	1 	0 	3 	0 	33 	0
==Honors==
FC Dallas Academy
* Dallas Cup: 2017
Des Moines Menace
* Premier Development League regular season title: 2018
Category:1999 births
Category:American soccer players
Category:American people
Category:People from Laredo, Texas