Hendry Bernardo Thomas Suazo (born 23 February 1985), also known as Buchuca, is a Honduran former footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Hendry Thomas
Personal information
Full name Hendry Bernardo Thomas Suazo[1]
Date of birth (1985-02-23) 23 February 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth La Ceiba, Honduras
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2][3]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Youth career
Olimpia Reservas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2009 Olimpia 143 (6)
2009–2012 Wigan Athletic 55 (0)
2012–2013 Colorado Rapids 35 (2)
2014 FC Dallas 10 (0)
2015 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 15 (0)
2018–2019 Olimpia 9 (0)
Total 267 (8)
International career
2007–2008 Honduras U23 7 (3)
2005–2011 Honduras 52 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Thomas has been described as displaying a "rugged approach driven by his ample physical gifts and his significant work rate and supplemented with enough technical ability to excel in his preferred holding midfield role."[4]

Club career edit

Early years edit

Thomas made his debut with Olimpia on 26 September 2001, against Real Comayagua when he was only 16 years of age. He continued to play for Olimpia of Tegucigalpa in the Liga Nacional de Honduras. He has been a regular member of the Honduras national football team since 2005. Thomas is the cousin of fellow footballers Maynor Suazo, David Suazo and Allan Lalín. He scored Olimpia's 2000th goal in the club's history. During his time at Olimpia, the club went on to win many Liga Nacional de Fútbol games. Thomas underwent a trial period with French club Toulouse. However, the trial was unsuccessful[citation needed].

Wigan Athletic edit

In July 2009, Thomas made his move to Premier League side Wigan Athletic on a three-year deal, subject to being granted a work permit. Wigan also made a failed attempt to sign Thomas in 2008 after work permit issues arose[5] but on 2 July, it was officially announced that he would join Wigan and he was given the shirt number 6.[6] He made his debut against Aston Villa on 15 August 2009, and assisted a goal in a 2–0 victory for Wigan.[7] In his first three matches, he won one 'Man of the Match' (Aston Villa) and one 'Most Impressive Player' (Manchester United) award. Early on in the season, Thomas formed a strong midfield partnership with Mohamed Diamé and was praised by Roberto Martínez.[8] On 16 January 2010, Thomas received a red card for the first time in his Premier League career due to a second bookable offence in a 2–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. In his first season, he made 33 appearances (31 in the Premier League, 1 in League Cup and FA Cup).

In the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, Thomas was a regular member of the team. In the opening weeks of the 2010–11 season, Thomas received praise from his manager Roberto Martinez after a string of all-action displays in central midfield.[9] Towards the end of the 2010–11 season with Wigan facing relegation, Thomas rarely featured, often being on the bench or being left out of the squad due to the return of James McCarthy from injury. On the last day of the season, Wigan would maintain their Premier League place for the next season after beating Stoke City 1–0, thanks to Hugo Rodallega. Despite losing his place in the starting line-up to McCarthy, Thomas still managed to make 30 appearances (24 in the Premier League, 4 in the League Cup and 2 in FA Cup). One month after the season ended, Martinez stated Thomas was still in his plans for the next season.[10]

However, in the 2011–12 season, the club went through various tactical changes as well as new signings, and Thomas struggled to even make matchday squads during the first half of the season. Thomas would go on to make only two appearances, both in League Cup and FA Cup. In the January transfer window, Martinez insisted Thomas would not leave the club, maintaining he still had a future at Wigan by hinting at the offer of a new contract.[11] However, at the end of 2011–12 season, Thomas was released by Wigan, along with several other players upon the expiration of their contracts.[12]

Major League Soccer edit

On 20 August 2012, Thomas signed with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.[13] Shortly after moving to Colorado, he spoke highly of his move, stating that he's looking forward to the challenge.[14] On 31 August 2012, he made his debut in a 1–0 loss against Portland Timbers.[15] After the game, he stated to the media that he was happy with his debut, but the result was disappointing.[16] After a half season, he signed an improved long-term deal with the club.[17] On 30 March 2013, he scored his first goal for the club, from a penalty, in a 2–2 draw against the Timbers. After the game, Thomas updated his Facebook profile, dedicating his goal to, "God, because without him, nothing is possible. Family, because they are there through the good and the bad and all my Honduran people that wish me well and always message me with positive vibes."[18]

Thomas followed coach Oscar Pareja to FC Dallas for the 2014 season. Thomas missed the second half of the season due to injury. In December 2014, FC Dallas declined the option to sign Thomas for the 2015 season.[19]

International career edit

Thomas made his debut for Honduras in a February 2005 UNCAF Nations Cup match against Panama and has earned a total of 52 caps, scoring 2 goals. He has represented his country in 15 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and at the 2008 Summer Olympics as well at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[20] He also played at the 2005[21] and 2009 UNCAF Nations Cups[22] as well as at the 2005[23] and 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cups.[24]

His most recent international was a September 2011 friendly match against Colombia.

International goals edit

Hendry Thomas: International goals
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 March 2008 Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States   Colombia 2 – 1 2–1 Friendly
2 11 October 2008 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras   Canada 3 – 1 3–1 World Cup 2010 Qualifier

Personal life edit

Thomas received his U.S. green card in October 2013, which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[25]

While playing for the Colorado Rapids, Thomas received the nickname "El Patrón" from teammates Jaime Castrillón and Luis Eduardo Zapata. Prior to that, Thomas had been referred to as "El Doctór" while playing in Honduras.[26]

References edit

  1. ^ Premier League clubs squad lists Archived 4 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Wigan Athletic | Team | 1st Team | Hendry Thomas". Archived from the original on 8 January 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  4. ^ McCarty, Kyle. "McCarthy's Musings: Colorado gambles wisely on ex-Wigan midfielder Hendry Thomas". Goal.com. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Thomas knock back for Latics". Wigan Today. 12 July 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Thomas completes switch to Wigan". BBC News. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  7. ^ "Aston Villa 0 – 2 Wigan". BBC News. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Rob praises midfield duo". Wigan Today. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  9. ^ "Martinez delight at Thomas form". Sky Sports. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  10. ^ "Hendry still has big future". Wigan Today. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  11. ^ "Martinez not doubting Thomas". Wigan Today. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  12. ^ "Kirk out". Wigan Today. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Rapids sign World Cup and EPL veteran Hendry Thomas". Colorado Rapids Site. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  14. ^ "New Colorado Rapids player Hendry Thomas looks forward to challenge – The Denver Post". The Denver Post. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "Colorado at Portland, August 31, 2012". Colorado Rapids Site. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  16. ^ "Thomas happy with debut, not with result". Colorado Rapids Site. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  17. ^ "Hendry Thomas signs long-term deal with Colorado Rapids in midfield makeover – The Denver Post". Denver Post. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  18. ^ "Hendry Thomas Scores First MLS Goal". Honduras.com. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  19. ^ "FC Dallas announces roster moves ahead of 2014 Expansion Draft". FCD Press Services. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  20. ^ Hendry ThomasFIFA competition record (archived)
  21. ^ UNCAF Tournament 1997 - RSSSF
  22. ^ UNCAF (Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup) 2009 - Details Archived 5 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine – RSSSF
  23. ^ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2005 - Full Details Archived 24 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine – RSSSF
  24. ^ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2011 - Full Details[dead link] – RSSSF
  25. ^ German Sferra (18 October 2013). "Hendry Thomas retains hope of playing for Honduras in 2014 World Cup". coloradorapids.com. MLS. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  26. ^ German Sferra (31 October 2012). "Who is El Patrón?". coloradorapids.com. MLS. Retrieved 20 October 2018.

External links edit