Fernando Cardenas

A quick, technical player who can play on either midfield wing, centrally, as a forward or tucked behind the forward … good on the dribble and able to create chances not only for himself, but also for his teammates … a very quick release on his shot … is left-footed … his speed and footwork allow him to navigate through traffic easily … native language is Spanish.

2012: Made 27 regular-season appearances, including nine starts (one at forward, one at left midfield and seven at right midfield). Scored two goals and recorded two assists. Started and made his Revolution - and MLS - debut in the season opener at San Jose (March 10). Scored his first career goal - the game-winning goal - against Colorado (May 2) in his first career start at right midfield. Was a substitute at forward at Real Salt Lake (May 5) and was later issued a red card in the 81st minute before the card (and fine) was lifted by an independent panel after the Revolution petitioned MLS on Cardenas’ behalf. Was a substitute forward at Toronto (June 23) and recorded his first career assist on Chris Tierney’s 94th-minute equalizer. Was a substitute at forward against Seattle (June 30) and recorded his second assist of the year on Diego Fagundez’s 94th-minute equalizer. Scored his second goal of the season in a start at right wing at Chicago (Aug. 18). Made his first start at left midfield at Houston (Sept. 29). Started at central midfield in the team’s U.S. Open Cup third-round loss to the Harrisburg City Islanders (May 29). Also made six appearances, including four starts, at midfield in the MLS Reserve League in which he scored one goal and recorded one assist. Started at right midfield and recorded the assist on Sainey Nyassi’s goal against New York’s reserves (July 8). Scored a goal in a start at right wing against Toronto’s reserves (Sept. 7).

BEFORE MLS: Played his entire pre-MLS career in Colombia ... began with Deportivo Pereira in 2008, but most recently played with América de Cali … played two seasons with Deportivo Pereira before going on loan to Once Caldas for the 2010 Apertura … played with Once Caldas during the team’s run in Copa Libertadores and made six appearances during the tournament before the club fell in the round of 16 to Paraguay’s Club Libertad … loaned to Deportes Tolima for the 2010 Finalización, where he made 16 appearances for the league’s runner up … at the conclusion of the tournament, returned to Deportivo Pereira for the 2011 Apertura, making 11 appearances while scoring one goal and adding one assist … in the summer of 2011, Cárdenas landed at América for the Finalización, where he made eight appearances, including five starts … across all competitions in Colombia, made 82 appearances, scoring six goals and adding five assists before coming to New England.

PERSONAL: Son of Rubiela Arrendonolo and Fernando Cardenas, Sr. … has one younger brother, Jhonathan Andres Cardenas (20) … married to Yury Marcela Buritica … the couple has one daughter, Maria Jose Cardenas (10 months) … in his free time, likes to play video games and spend time with his family … a supporter of Spain’s FC Barcelona … especially enjoys the work of Christian singer Alex Campos … his favorite movie is “Fast 5” from the “Fast and the Furious” series, and likes actor Vin Diesel … played for the youth club team Deportivo Cali de Cartago … maintains that Cali, Colombia is his favorite travel destination for playing soccer.