{{Short description|American soccer player (born 1999)}}
{{Infobox football biography | name = Carlos Mercado | image = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|09|27}} | birth_place = Laredo, Texas, U.S. | height = {{height|ft=6|in=3}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Jose Carlos Mercado |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/ocb/players/jose-carlos-mercado/|access-date=2024-09-26 |publisher=Orlando City SC}}</ref> | position = Goalkeeper | youthclubs1 = Pachuca | collegeyears1 = 2018–2019 | college1 = Incarnate Word Cardinals | collegecaps1 = 31 | collegegoals1 = 0 | years1 = 2018 | clubs1 = Des Moines Menace | caps1 = 7 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2019 | clubs2 = Laredo Heat | caps2 = | goals2 = | club-update = October 5, 2025 | full_name = José Carlos Mercado<ref>{{cite news |last1=Coronado |first1=Conrado |title=Joven futbolista de Nuevo Laredo cumple sueño: ¡llega a la MLS! |url=https://elmanana.com.mx/deportes/2024/9/25/joven-futbolista-de-nuevo-laredo-cumple-sueno-llega-la-mls-132988.html |access-date=March 17, 2026 |work=El Mañana |date=September 25, 2024|lang=es-mx}}</ref> | years3 = 2019 | clubs3 = Corpus Christi FC | caps3 = 1 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2020–2021 | clubs4 = San Antonio FC | caps4 = 1 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2023 | clubs5 = San Antonio FC | caps5 = 1 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2024 | clubs6 = Orlando City B | caps6 = 17 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2024–2025 | clubs7 = Orlando City | caps7 = 0 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2024–2025 | clubs8 = → Orlando City B (loan) | caps8 = 25 | goals8 = 0 | youthyears2 = 2014–2017 | youthclubs2 = FC Dallas }}
'''José Carlos Mercado''' (born September 27, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper. Mercado was called up to represent both the United States and Mexico at a youth level.
== 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 through an opportunity with his school, John B. Alexander High School, and was selected and joined the team's academy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chavez |first=Roman |date=July 18, 2025 |title=A Kid from Laredo: How Carlos Mercado made his way to Goalie Wars |url=https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/a-kid-from-laredo-how-carlos-mercado-made-his-way-to-goalie-wars |access-date=July 23, 2025 |website=MLS Next Pro}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
After a year with Pachuca, he tried out for both Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas' academies, but ultimately took up an offer from the former in 2014.<ref name=":3" /> Mercado participated in the Dallas Cup's 2015, 2016, and 2017 editions, including winning the 2017 edition.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kroeger |first=Garrett |date=March 21, 2019 |title=The Heat sign local goalkeeper Mercado |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/sports/article/The-Heat-sign-local-goalkeeper-Mercado-13707832.php |access-date=October 28, 2024 |work=Laredo Morning Times}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carlos Mercado |url=https://www.fcdallas.com/players/carlos-mercado/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=FC Dallas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Soccer Development Academy Champions List |url=https://www.soccerwire.com/u-s-soccer-development-academy-champions-list/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=SoccerWire}}</ref>
In 2018, Mercado began playing college soccer at the University of the Incarnate Word after receiving a receiving a full-ride scholarship.<ref name=":3" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2018 |title=Men's Soccer vs Saint Mary's on 8/24/2018 |url=https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/mens-soccer/stats/2018/saint-mary-s/boxscore/4141 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Incarnate Word Cardinals}}</ref> In 2019, Mercado recorded his first college shutout in a 1–0 win against the Liberty Flames on September 1.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Men's Soccer vs Liberty on 9/1/2019 |url=https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/mens-soccer/stats/2019/liberty/boxscore/4673 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Incarnate Word Cardinals}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Carlos Mercado - Men's Soccer - University of the Incarnate Ward |url=https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/carlos--mercado/7926 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Incarnate Word Cardinals}}</ref>
== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2018 |title=Announcing the Menace's 2018 roster |url=https://www.menacesoccer.com/news_article/show/1084591 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Des Moines Menace}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2018 |title=Des Moines Menace at Kaw Valley FC - 2018 Regular Season |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/game/show/20627290?referrer=3915460 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=USL League Two}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2018 |title=Des Moines Menace at FC Manitoba - 2018 Regular Season |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/game/show/20627599?referrer=3915460 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=USL League Two}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Standings - 2018 Regular Season |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/standings/show/3915446?subseason=482928 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=USL League Two}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Des Moines Menace - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - # - Carlos Mercado |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/24329091 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=USL League Two}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2018 |title=Chicago FC United at Des Moines Menace - 2018 Playoffs |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/game/show/22174324?subseason=526967&referrer=3915446 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=USL League Two}}</ref>
=== Laredo Heat === On March 21, 2019, Mercado joined Laredo Heat in the National Premier Soccer League.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ortiz |first=Edith |date=March 21, 2019 |title=Heat Announce Signing of Local Player to 2019 NPSL Roster |url=https://team.laredoheatsc.com/news_article/show/1006391 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Laredo Heat}}</ref>
=== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corpus Christi FC - 2019 Regular Season - Statistics |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/stats/team_instance/4362952?subseason=583580&tab=team_instance_player_stats&tool=3534592 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=USL League Two}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2019 |title=Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C. at Corpus Christi FC - 2019 Regular Season |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/game/show/24371916?subseason=583580&referrer=4731481 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=USL League Two}}</ref>
=== San Antonio FC === On March 6, 2020, Mercado joined San Antonio FC in the USL Championship.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2020 |title=San Antonio FC signs goalkeeper Carlos Mercado |url=https://www.sanantoniofc.com/news/2020/03/06/san-antonio-fc-signs-goalkeeper-carlos-mercado/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=San Antonio FC}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2021 |title=San Antonio 3–0 Colorado |url=https://www.espn.ph/football/commentary/_/gameId/599651 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=ESPN}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 14, 2023 |title=Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado returns to San Antonio FC |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1260043 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=USL Championship}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2023 |title=San Antonio vs. Club de Lyon - 5 April 2023 |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/05/united-states/us-open-cup/san-antonio/club-de-lyon/4040474/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Soccerway}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2023 |title=San Antonio 3–1 Birmingham (Jul 1, 2023) |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/661771/birmingham-legion-fc-san-antonio-fc |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=ESPN}}</ref>
=== Orlando City B === On March 15, 2024, Mercado was announced to be part of Orlando City B's 2024 MLS Next Pro season roster.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2024 |title=Orlando City B announces complete roster and coaching staff for 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Season |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/ocb/news/orlando-city-b-announces-complete-roster-and-coaching-staff-for-2024-mls-next-pr |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Orlando City B}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2024 |title=Atlanta United II vs. Orlando City B - 16 March 2024 |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/16/united-states/mls-next-pro/atlanta-united-2/central-florida-kraze-/4320420/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Soccerway}}</ref> On August 11, Mercado recorded his first clean sheet in a goalless draw against Crown Legacy FC.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2024 |title=Match Report: Orlando City B and Crown Legacy FC play to 0-0 draw |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/ocb/news/match-report-orlando-city-b-and-crown-legacy-fc-play-to-0-0-draw |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Orlando City B}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2024 |title=Match Report: Orlando City B eliminated by Chicago Fire FC II in penalty-kick shootout |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/ocb/news/match-report-orlando-city-b-eliminated-by-chicago-fire-fc-ii-in-penalty-kick-shootout |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Orlando City B}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 26, 2025 |title=MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeepers to Compete in Goalie Wars at MLS All-Star Skills Challenge Presented by AT&T on July 22 |url=https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/mls-next-pro-goalkeepers-to-compete-in-goalie-wars-at-mls-all-star-skills-challenge-presented-by-at-t-on-july-22 |access-date=June 26, 2025 |website=MLS Next Pro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mack |first=Jason |date=July 6, 2025 |title=Laredo’s Carlos Mercado to compete in Goalie Wars at MLS All-Star Challenge |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/major-league-soccer-lionel-messi-diego-luna-lozano-20421878.php |access-date=March 16, 2026 |work=Laredo Morning Times}}</ref> Mercado was ultimately defeated 4–3 by Houston Dynamo 2's Pedro Cruz in the final.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2025 |title=MLS All-Stars Emerge Victorious in Record-Setting 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-all-stars-emerge-victorious-in-record-setting-2025-mls-all-star-skills-challenge-presented-by-at-t |access-date=July 23, 2025 |website=Major League Soccer}}</ref>
=== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2024 |title=Orlando City SC signs goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to First Team deal |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/orlando-city-sc-signs-goalkeeper-carlos-mercado-to-first-team-deal |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Orlando City}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Mack |first=Jason |date=September 29, 2024 |title=Laredo's Mercado achieves dream, signs with MLS first team in Orlando |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/mls-orlando-fc-laredo-jose-carlos-mercado-soccer-19799263.php |access-date=March 16, 2026 |work=Laredo Morning Times}}</ref> In December 2024, Mercado's option for extension was declined at the conclusion of the season without him making an appearance for the club.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2024 |title=Orlando City SC announces end-of-season statuses following end of 2024 MLS Season |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/orlando-city-sc-announces-end-of-season-statuses-following-end-of-2024-mls-season |access-date=December 5, 2024 |website=Orlando City}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2025 |title=Orlando City SC re-signs goalkeeper Carlos Mercado |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/orlando-city-sc-re-signs-goalkeeper-carlos-mercado |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Orlando City}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mack |first=Jason |date=March 10, 2025 |title=Mercado’s journey from Laredo to MLS continues with new Orlando City deal |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/soccer-b-goalie-goalkeeper-contract-next-lions-mls-20201755.php |access-date=March 16, 2026 |work=Laredo Morning Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2025 |title=Orlando City SC Acquires Up to $200,000 in General Allocation Money from Real Salt Lake |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/orlando-city-sc-acquires-up-to-200-000-in-general-allocation-money-from-real-salt-lake |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Orlando City}}</ref> After the conclusion of this season, Orlando City also opted not to exercise a contract extension for Mercado.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gramajo |first=Mike |date=November 17, 2025 |title=Orlando City announces year-end roster |url=https://www.wesh.com/article/orlando-city-announces-year-end-roster/69462167 |access-date=November 17, 2025 |work=WESH}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 November 2025 |title=Orlando City SC announces end-of-season roster statuses following end of 2025 MLS Season |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/orlando-city-sc-announces-end-of-season-roster-statuses-following-end-of-2025-mls-season |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Orlando City}}</ref>
== 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.<ref name=":2" /> Mercado is the uncle of fellow professional soccer player Sebastian Mercado and played alongside him at San Antonio FC.<ref name=":1" />
== International career ==
=== Youth === Mercado has been called up up to represent Mexico at the U16 and U18 level, and for the United States at the U18 level. Mercado said that his family was "all Mexican", but through his experience living in both Mexico and the United States he felt a "calling for both nationalities".<ref name=":3" />
== Career statistics ==
=== Club === {{updated|match played October 5, 2025<ref>{{cite web |title=Carlos Mercado |url=https://www.soccerway.com/player/mercado-carlos/4AtAH1DG/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=March 16, 2026}}</ref>}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup ! colspan="2" |Playoffs ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals !Apps !Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Des Moines Menace |2018 |Premier Development League |7||0||0 |0||2 |0 | colspan="2" |—||9||0 |- |Laredo Heat |2019 |National Premier Soccer League | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |- |Corpus Christi FC |2019 |USL League Two |1 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 |- | rowspan="4" |San Antonio FC |2020 |USL Championship |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |- |2021 |USL Championship |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 |- |2023 |USL Championship |1 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !2!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0 ! colspan="2" |—!!3!!0 |- |Orlando City B |2024 |MLS Next Pro |17 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |17 |0 |- | rowspan="3" |Orlando City B (loan) |2024 |MLS Next Pro |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |3 |0 |- |2025 |MLS Next Pro |23 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |23 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !25 !0 !0 !0 !1 !0 !0 !0 !26 !0 |- | rowspan="3" |Orlando City |2024 |Major League Soccer |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |- |2025 |Major League Soccer |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !0 !0 !0 !0 !1 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !52!!0!!1!!0!!3!!0 !0 !0!!56!!0 |}
== Honors == '''Des Moines Menace'''
* Premier Development League regular season title: 2018
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{sports links}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Mercado, Carlos}} Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:American men's soccer players Category:Incarnate Word Cardinals men's soccer players Category:Des Moines Menace players Category:Corpus Christi FC players Category:San Antonio FC players Category:Orlando City B players Category:Orlando City SC players Category:Soccer players from Texas Category:Footballers from Tamaulipas Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Laredo, Texas Category:Sportspeople from Nuevo Laredo Category:MLS Next Pro players Category:Men's association football goalkeepers