Edson Puch


Edson Raúl Puch Cortez is a Chilean footballer who plays as a forward for Primera Division club Universidad Católica and the Chile national team.

Club career

Early career

Born in Iquique, Puch began his career at hometown Deportes Iquique youth ranks, then moving to Huachipato reserve team in 2003.
In 2008, after two years playing in Talcahuano based–side, he returned to his homeland to play for Iquique where he achieved a third-tier title that season as well as the first-tier promotion the following year. After an impressive season during the 2009 Torneo Apertura being a key player alongside Cristian Bogado, on mid-year, Puch reached a four-year deal with Chilean powerhouse Universidad de Chile which invested US$850,000 for his rights.
He quickly settled as starter playing for The Owls where celebrated a league title in 2011 with Jorge Sampaoli as head coach. However, on 14 May, he accepted an offer from Emirati club Al-Wasl FC for a US$4 million fee. There Puch was coached by Diego Maradona but only scored one goal in six league games.

Iquique, UAE & Latin America

In 2012, he returned to Deportes Iquique on loan. After completing the six-month loan spell in June, he didn't feature in any game during the second half of the year. After he initially returned to Al-Wasl, he was loaned back to Iquique, but the team didn't register him in time. He officially re-joined Iquique in January 2013 after training that period with the team, reappearing in a 1–1 away draw with León for the Copa Libertadores first stage.
In June 2013 he returned to Al-Wasl. This time Puch scored one goal in ten UAE Arabian Gulf League games. In August 2014, he ended his contract with Emirati club and then signed for Argentina's Huracán as a free agent in January 2015. After a season at Parque Patricios-based side, he moved to Ecuadorian giants L.D.U. Quito, led by Claudio Borghi who usually called-up him during their period at Chilean national team.

Necaxa

After an impressive 2016 Copa América Centenario he joined Liga MX club Necaxa. Helped Necaxa stay in Liga MX after recently being promoted from 2015–16 Ascenso MX season. He scored nine goals in his first season in Mexico.

Pachuca

On 7 June 2017, C.F. Pachuca announced the signing of Edson Puch from Club Necaxa.

Querétaro

On 13 December 2017, Querétaro signed Puch on loan from Pachuca, with an option to purchase.

International career

In 2009, Puch received a call-up from Marcelo Bielsa to play the Kirin Cup, debuting in a 4–0 loss against Japan as a 46th-minute substitute for Jorge Valdivia. After his first international participation, he was recalled in November for a game with Slovakia at Bratislava. In 2011, during Bielsa's last match as national team coach against United States he played his first full international game during a 1–1 draw.
Puch was named in the 2015 Copa America squad but had to withdraw through injury being replaced by Francisco Silva.
Puch scored two goals in the seven-goal match against Mexico in the Copa América Centenario. Later, in the tournament he was part of the Chilean team that ran to the final. He was subbed in the 80th minute of the final against Argentina, which Chile won 4–2 on penalties.

Career statistics

Club

International goals
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.18 June 2016Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, United States1–07–0Copa América Centenario
2.18 June 2016Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, United States7–07–0Copa América Centenario

Honours

Club

;Universidad de Chile
;Huracán
;Universidad Católica