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Rarely is the adjective “a revelation” applied to a defender. But if ever it were appropriate, such a description would fit Hurtado, a revelation for the center of the Sounders defense. It can be argued that without clinching Hurtado in a loan deal prior to the Sounders inaugural season, the first year would have been humbling — particularly at the start of the season with injuries ruling out several veteran defenders. Hurtado’s athleticism, speed, crunching tackles and superb man-marking abilities soon solidified a partnership with veteran Tyrone Marshall. The two defenders anchored one of the stingiest defenses in Major League Soccer — tying for first with Houston in goals allowed per game (0.97) — with Hurtado’s typical assignment shutting down the opposing team’s best striker, or offensive threat. Hurtado figure to embellish his resume in 2010, but went on injured reserve after just nine matches (torn ACL) and saw no further action.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS (SOUNDERS FC)
- Selected as a finalist for the 2009 MLS Defender of the Year.
- Selected to the 2009 Major League Soccer All-Star Team.
- Started and played the full 90 minutes in 26 of the Sounders’ 27 matches in 2009.
- Scored his only goal on May 16, 2009, in a draw with Dallas FC.
- Assisted on a game-winning goal against the Houston Dynamo on July 11, 2009.
- Suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in a match against San Jose on May 22, 2010, forcing him out for a minimum of six matches.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS (INTERNATIONAL)
- Began his professional career in 2004 with the Colombian club Unión Magdalena, appearing in eight matches.
- Has played for Monagas (2005), Centauros Villavicencio (2006), Expreso Rojo (2006), Real Cartagena (2007), Deportivo Cali (2008-10, where he was a teammate of Fredy Montero), and on loan with Expreso Rojo (2009).
- Appeared in 121 matches at the first and second divisions in Colombia, scoring one goal.
- Had tried out with Italy’s AC Milan prior to joining Sounders FC.
- Appeared in a friendly with German club Hannover in 2008.
2010
- Started and played all 90 minutes in Seattle’s first nine matches.
- Placed on injured reserve on May 24 after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee in stoppage time during a 1-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.
- Committed 10 fouls and received one yellow card.
2009
- Named a finalist for MSL Defender of the year after starting 26 of 30 league matches and appearing in 27.
- Named to the MLS All-Star team and played the final 26 minutes of a tiebreaker loss to Everton.
- Tied with fellow defender James Riley for the most minutes played, at 2334.
- Scored one goal and contributed a game-winning assist.
- Committed just 33 fouls, placing him at No. 4 behind Fredy Montero, Nate Jaqua and Osvaldo Alonso.
- Started all four matches in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, but was suspended for the Cup final after receiving two yellow cards in a 2-1 semifinal win over Houston in July.
- Celebrated his 25th birthday by scoring his first and only goal of the season in a 2-2 draw with FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park, but failed to convert on several chances at close range.
PERSONAL / MISCELLANEOUS
- Named after U.S. President John F. Kennedy and nicknamed “El Presidente.”
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