Juan Toja

Colombia

Toja started his soccer career in Colombian tournament Interclubes (played amongst select country clubs) in the Clan MacGregor team, playing alongside retired professional player Lucas Jaramillo. Joined Colombian Santa Fe at age 16, playing for the club's U-19 team for six months, was promoted to the first team in early 2004, where he played 25 games in the next two seasons.

Argentina

Toja signed with Argentine club River Plate following the tournament but struggled to break into the first team. He played 5 games in the Copa Libertadores Tournament for River Plate, scoring once. He played in only three Torneo Verano games while loaned to River Plate from Santa Fe in 2006.

United States

In February 2007, after sending a highlight video to FC Dallas and impressing in a tryout held at FC Dallas pre-season camp in Brazil, Toja was signed with Major League Soccer on a loan from Independiente Santa Fe. With his electric play and flashy style (topped off with an impressive hairdo – an homage to Jim Morrison, the late lead singer of The Doors), Toja quickly became a fan favorite in Dallas. He scored his first MLS goal, the game-winner, in a 2–1 win at Kansas City Wizards on 5/12, and tallied another game-winner in a 2–1 win at Chicago Fire on 5/17. He scored his fourth goal in a 1–0 victory at Colorado Rapids on 6/23, his team-leading third game-winner. He scored two in a historic comeback at D.C. United on 7/14 and earned the Week 15 MLS Player…

His family sustained a tragedy when brother Sebastian, one year younger, was involved in an accident that claimed his life when Juan was 14 years old. He is a fan of a variety of music, including rock with his favorite performers being The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Police and Soda Stereo also likes salsa music. His grandfather on his dad's side, also named Juan Carlos Toja, was born in Uruguay and played professional football in his country for C.A. Peñarol; he later moved to Colombia and played for Independiente Medellín and Cucuta Deportivo. His grandfather on mother's side, Victor Vega, is Colombian and played professionally for Santa Fe, Millonarios, and was a member of the Colombia National Team. He is of Spanish descent through his paternal great-grandfather.