Andy Polo


Andy Jorman Polo Andrade, commonly known as La Joya, is a Peruvian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Portland Timbers. Polo made his professional debut with Peruvian club Universitario in the 2011 season at the young age of 16. Polo built a name for himself with his rapid acceleration and scoring skills. Being able to play in any of the four attacking positions, in his first season he quickly became an asset in the attacking force of his team. As the team's top scorer, Polo helped the Universitario under-20 squad win the 2011 U-20 Copa Libertadores.

Club career

Universitario

Polo got his start in Universitario de Deportes as a youth. He made his official debut in the Torneo Descentralizado on 23 April 2011, against Alianza Atletico in the ninth round of the 2011 Descentralizado season, at the age of 16. His debut match was played at home in the Monumental and finished 1–0 in favor of Universitario de Deportes. Polo played from the start and was later substituted for Raúl Ruidíaz in the 67th minute. In his second professional match, Polo scored his first senior career goal on 6 May 2011 in a league match at home against Cienciano del Cuzco. He scored his first goal in the 8th minute of the match by controlling with his head a lobbed through ball from Pablo Vitti and finishing with a strong left-footed shot into the top-right corner of the net. In a very short time, Polo earned a spot in the starting eleven and played in the following league games. In round 15, Andy was on the scoresheet again in the 3–0 home win over Unión Comercio. Then he made his Torneo Intermedio debut on 28 May 2011 in the First Round against Sport Ancash. With Universitario starting the match with mainly players from the reserves and already behind two goals, Polo entered the match in the 46th minute but could not help his side avoid the 3–2 elimination away to the Rosas Pampa Stadium in Huaraz.
With the league in the mid season rest, Polo, aged 16 years, was selected by manager Javier Chirinos for the under-20 Universitario squad to participate in the first edition of the 2011 U-20 Copa Libertadores.
Andy managed to score three goals in six games and finished as the team's top scorer.
Polo went on to help his side win the very first U-20 Copa Libertadores alongside notable players such as Edison Flores and Willyan Mimbela. Chirinos included Polo in the starting eleven in all of the games including the final against Boca Juniors, which his side defeated 4–2 on penalties.
Polo made his debut in a senior international competition on 1 September 2011 in the second round of the Copa Sudamericana away to Deportivo Anzoategui. He was in the starting line up and later provided the assist for teammate Johan Fano's winning goal in the 49th minute, which gave his club a 2–1 win in the first leg. After his club got through to the next round and on the day of his 17th birthday, Polo was voted man of the match after he provided an assist for Raul Ruidiaz's goal in the 1–1 draw in the first leg match away to Godoy Cruz.
In his fourth match of the tournament, Polo scored his first goal in the Copa Sudamericana in the second leg at home against Godoy Cruz. His goal came in the 85th minute by heading in a cross from Edison Flores and eventually forced the match to a penalty shootout, which Universitario won 3–2. At the end of the season, Polo was given the award for Jugador Revelación of the 2011 Torneo Descentralizado season.

Internazionale

On 31 January 2014, Italian giants Internazionale signed Polo on a short-term contract for an undisclosed fee.

Millonarios

Millonarios bought 50% of his playing rights in 2014 and had Polo for 3 years with the option to buy the other 50%. He scored 2 goals in 11 games before being loaned six months later to Universitario, where he won the 2016 Apertura Tournament.

Monarcas Morelia

In January 2017, Polo moved to Mexico and signed for Monarcas Morelia.

Portland Timbers

In January 2018, Polo signed on loan with Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. Targeted Allocation Money was used to avoid the use of a designated player contract. He made his debut in the opening round of the 2018 MLS fixtures. He started the game as the Timbers lost 2–1 to LA Galaxy at the StubHub Centre.
Polo's move to Portland became permanent at the end of their 2018 season.

International career

In May 2018, he was named in Peru's provisional 24 man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and made it to the final 23-squad.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goal

No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
128 May 2016RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., United States22–03–1Friendly

Honours

;Club
Universitario de Deportes