Carlos Mercado Bio
Jose Carlos Mercado (born September 27, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Orlando City. A native of Laredo, Texas, Mercado has spent his young career working through developmental leagues before reaching MLS, and he has represented both the United States and Mexico at the youth international level.
Early Life and Background
Jose Carlos Mercado was born on September 27, 1999, in Laredo, Texas, in the United States. Although his family lived just across the border in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where living costs were lower, Mercado grew up moving between the two border communities. He is the youngest of six siblings, and his large family provided a strong athletic environment during his formative years.
Mercado originally wanted to play as a forward, but his introduction to goalkeeping came at age 12 when he stepped in for his brother’s over-30 team after their scheduled goalkeeper did not show up. He performed well in that emergency outing, and his brothers soon hired a goalkeeping coach to help him develop. A few months later, he attended an open tryout for the Mexican club Pachuca and was selected to join its academy, launching his structured soccer development.
Path to Soccer
After time in the Pachuca academy, Mercado moved to the FC Dallas Academy in 2014. With FC Dallas, he participated in the prestigious Dallas Cup in 2015, 2016, and 2017, winning the 2017 edition. He also featured in multiple U.S. Soccer Development Academy championships, lifting the U-15/16 titles in 2014–15 and 2015–16.
In 2018, Mercado began his college career at the University of the Incarnate Word, where he made 15 appearances in his first season and recorded his first college shutout in September 2019 against the Liberty Flames. While developing at the college level, he also began representing clubs in USL League Two, building a path toward a professional contract.
Carlos Mercado Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Mercado’s senior career began with Des Moines Menace in USL League Two. He debuted on June 1, 2018, in a 2–1 win over Kaw Valley FC and recorded his first shutout on June 10 against FC Manitoba. Des Moines finished the regular season unbeaten in the Heartland Division and led the league in points, with Mercado conceding only three of the team’s six goals. The club reached the Central Conference Final, where it was eliminated 1–0 by Chicago FC United.
In 2019, Mercado played briefly for Corpus Christi FC in USL League Two and also joined Laredo Heat of the National Premier Soccer League on March 21, 2019. These short stints helped him earn his first professional opportunity with San Antonio FC the following year.
San Antonio FC (2020–2021, 2023)
On March 6, 2020, Mercado signed with San Antonio FC of the USL Championship. He made his professional debut on October 31, 2021, replacing the injured Matt Cardone in the 62nd minute of a 3–0 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. After being released at the end of the 2021 season, he rejoined the club on February 14, 2023, making two appearances that year before departing again at season’s end.
Orlando City B (2024)
Mercado was named to Orlando City B’s roster for the 2024 MLS Next Pro season on March 15, 2024. He debuted the following day in a 3–2 win at Atlanta United 2, playing the full match. On August 11, he earned his first clean sheet in a 0–0 draw against Crown Legacy FC, and on October 20, he started the team’s MLS Next Pro playoff match at Chicago Fire II, which ended 1–1 before Orlando City B fell 5–4 on penalties.
Orlando City (2024–2025)
On September 20, 2024, Orlando City signed Mercado to a first-team contract through the end of the year, with options for 2025, 2026, and 2027. He did not make an appearance for the senior side, and his extension option was declined in December 2024. On January 30, 2025, after Mason Stajduhar’s departure, Mercado was re-signed on a one-year deal with club options for 2026 and 2027, only for the club to decline an extension at the end of the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although the inputs are limited on technical analysis, Mercado’s career shows a shot-stopper who has delivered clean sheets at multiple levels, including his first MLS Next Pro shutout with Orlando City B and competitive showings in the USL Championship. His development across academy, college, and lower-division professional environments suggests a goalkeeper comfortable adapting to varied team systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his milestone moments, Mercado won the 2017 Dallas Cup with the FC Dallas Academy, captured U-15/16 Development Academy championships in 2014–15 and 2015–16, and earned his first professional win with San Antonio FC in 2021. In 2025, he was selected to compete in the Goalie Wars event at the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge in Austin, Texas, where he finished as runner-up after a 4–3 loss in the final to Houston Dynamo 2’s Pedro Cruz.
Carlos Mercado Career Wins
Mercado has accumulated a series of team and individual successes across youth, college, and professional ranks, beginning with his time at FC Dallas and continuing through his appearances in USL League Two, the USL Championship, and MLS Next Pro. His career reflects steady progression through developmental and reserve competitions rather than major senior titles.
USL League Two and USL Championship Highlights
With Des Moines Menace in 2018, Mercado helped the side go unbeaten in the regular season, conceding only three of the team’s six goals before reaching the Central Conference Final. In 2019, he made a brief appearance for Corpus Christi FC, and in 2020–2021 and 2023, he served as a backup goalkeeper for San Antonio FC, where he made his professional debut.
Other Wins and Performances
Mercado recorded his first MLS Next Pro victory with Orlando City B in March 2024 and earned his first clean sheet at that level in August 2024. Earlier in his career, he won youth titles with the FC Dallas Academy, including the 2017 Dallas Cup and consecutive U-15/16 Development Academy championships.
Carlos Mercado Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mercado was raised in a large family as the youngest of six siblings, with strong athletic ties that helped push him toward soccer. Growing up between Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, he was surrounded by older brothers whose teams and coaching connections shaped his early goalkeeping path, including the decision to hire a goalkeeping coach after his first emergency appearance in goal.
Personal Life
Mercado is the uncle of fellow professional soccer player Sebastian Mercado, and the two played together at San Antonio FC. The available verified information does not include details about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Mercado’s 2025 began with his re-signing to Orlando City on January 30, 2025, after a brief exit from the first-team roster. He spent the MLS Next Pro season with Orlando City B, where his first-team selection for the Goalie Wars event at the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge in July highlighted his standing among the league’s top young goalkeepers.
He ultimately finished as runner-up in the Goalie Wars, falling 4–3 to Houston Dynamo 2’s Pedro Cruz. Despite the on-field showcase, Orlando City opted not to exercise a contract extension at season’s end, leaving his next move open as he continues pursuing a consistent role at the professional level.