Andrés Mendoza

Andrés Augusto Mendoza Acevedo (born 26 April 1978), known as Andrés Mendoza, is a Peruvian former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Club career Mendoza was born in Chincha Alta. He started playing professionally with Sporting Cristal, which he helped become national champion in his first season.

Subsequently, he represented a myriad of teams, in Belgium, Ukraine, Russia, Romania and France. He had a steady period with Club Brugge, helping it win the 2002 Belgian Cup, with a hat-trick in a 3–1 one win over Excelsior Mouscron, while also netting the game's only in a 1–0 success at AC Milan, in the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League.

In 2004, Mendoza signed with Metalurh Donetsk, which loaned him twice during his link. After his release, he moved countries again in 2008: after a short spell with Steaua Bucureşti, he joined Monarcas Morelia in Mexico, being the second best goalscorer in the league's Apertura 2008, with 10 goals in 16 games.

In 2010, Mendoza signed with Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer as a Designated Player. He was released by the club at the end of the 2011 season, as "he did not mesh with the players or coaches and was considered a liability."

International career Mendoza made his debut with Peru in 1999, becoming a regular fixture in the following years. He represented the nation at two Copa América tournaments: 2004 and 2007, totalling seven scoreless appearances.

After a failed campaign to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he was called by national coach Julio César Uribe for a two-friendly match squad against Ecuador, in June 2007. He was used as a substitute the first game against their northern neighbors (win), and started in the second (2–0 loss).

On 7 December 2007, Mendoza was one in a group of internationals that were found guilty of having introduced women and alcohol into the national squad's hotel two days before Peru's away drubbing at the hands of Ecuador (5–1, in which he scored), being subsequently banned for one and a half years from representing Peru. Months later he was the only one who did not get his suspension eliminated after all the other player's suspensions were reduced.

Career statistics Scores and results list Peru's goal tally first. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 10 February 1999 Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru 1–0 1–2 Friendly 2. 17 February 1999 Estadio Isidro Romero, Guayaquil, Ecuador 2–0 2–0 3. 27 March 2001 Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru 2–1 3–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 4. 11 June 2003 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, United States 2–1 2–2 Friendly 5. 6 September 2003 Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru 4–1 4–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 6. 9 September 2003 Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile 1–1 1–2 7. 21 November 2007 Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, Ecuador 1–5 1–5 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification