Maynor Figueroa

Figueroa provided the breakthrough for the away side in the 78th minute, setting up Hugo Rodallega to win the game 1–0 at Stoke City and confirm Wigan's safety in the Premier League.

Maynor Alexis Figueroa Róchez (born 2 May 1983) is a Honduran former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.

Figueroa made over 180 international appearances between 2003 and 2022, including appearances at seven CONCACAF Gold Cups, two FIFA World Cups and the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Born in Jutiapa, Atlántida, Figueroa started his career with Victoria, before moving to Olimpia in 2003.

He later became club captain.

In 2007, Figueroa received offers from Major League Soccer clubs, one of which was revealed to be New England Revolution, but Olimpia's administrator, Osman Madrid, turned down all the offers.

Figueroa had drawn previous interest from foreign clubs aside from those in MLS, including Club Toluca of Mexico making offers during 2007.

However, during an interview, Madrid indicated the terms sought by other teams had been neither agreeable nor economically favourable to Olimpia or Figueroa.

On 20 December 2007, Honduran newspaper El Heraldo reported that, as a result of interest expressed by the Premier League club Wigan Athletic, Figueroa would be travelling to England.

In January 2008, Figueroa joined Wigan on loan for the rest of the 2007–08 season.

In July 2008, after a complicated process involving work permit and visa issues, Figueroa rejoined Wigan on loan for a further six months, after which Wigan had the option to make the deal permanent following a successful loan spell.

On 23 December 2008, Wigan announced Figueroa had signed a three-and-a-half-year contract to join permanently.

He scored his first goal for Wigan on 11 January 2009.

He scored a close range header to secure a late winner against Tottenham Hotspur.

On 12 December 2009, Figueroa scored a goal against Stoke City from his own half to put Wigan in the lead.

Figueroa noticed Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen off his line at a free kick and struck the ball quickly to send the ball soaring over Sørensen and into the net.

Although the match ended 2–2, Figueroa made the headlines the following day, with Alan Hansen calling it a candidate for Goal of the Season.

Indeed, Figueroa's goal was chosen as Match of the Day's Goal of the Season for 2009–10.

By the end of the 2009–10 campaign, he had made 81 appearances and scored twice in all competitions for Wigan.

The 2010–11 campaign proved difficult for Wigan and Figueroa.

On 26 February 2011, he made his 100th Premier League appearance, playing the full 90 minutes at left-back in a 4–0 defeat against Manchester United at the DW Stadium.

He scored a goal against fellow relegation struggling side Birmingham City on 19 March 2011 that led to a 2–1 win for Wigan.

On the last day of the season, Wigan needed to win and have results go their way in order to secure Premier League safety.

During Wigan's first League Cup game of the 2012–13 season, Figueroa scored from 35 yards out, as Wigan defeated Nottingham Forest 4–1 at the City Ground.

Wigan achieved success in the FA Cup winning the competition after beating Manchester City 1–0 in the final.

Figueroa had played in every round of the FA Cup but was injured for the FA Cup final; however he did receive an FA Cup Winner's medal However, they did not have as much success in the Premier League and were relegated at the end of the season.

He is best known for his time at Wigan Athletic, where he made 179 Premier League appearances and won the 2013 FA Cup.

Newly promoted Premier League side Hull City announced the signing of Figueroa on a free transfer on 17 June 2013.

He made his debut on the first day of the 2013–14 season in a 2–0 loss away at Chelsea.

Figueroa reached an FA Cup Final for the second successive season after playing in every game prior to the final.

Whereas he missed the 2013 FA Cup Final through injury, he was an unused substitute for the 2014 FA Cup Final after manager Steve Bruce changed the system to 5-3-2 with the manager's son Alex Bruce starting ahead of Figueroa.

Hull lost the final 3–2 to Arsenal after extra-time.

On 21 October 2014 Figueroa returned to Wigan Athletic on a month-loan and went on to play in the 0–0 draw against Millwall the same day.

After five consecutive games for the club since joining on loan, Wigan extended his loan deal until 30 December 2014.

He was recalled to Hull on 22 December 2014, along with Tom Ince from Nottingham Forest.

On 28 May 2015, Figueroa was one of six players released by Hull manager Steve Bruce.

Following his release by Hull City, Figueroa joined MLS team Colorado Rapids on 7 August 2015.

He made his Rapids and MLS debut on 14 August in a 1–0 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes.

Figueroa scored his first goal for Colorado on 29 August in a 2–1 win over Sporting Kansas City.

Figueroa would play in 10 games for Colorado.