Sporting Kansas City signed defender Marcel de Jong ahead of the 2015 season. Before joining MLS, he logged more than 225 club appearances over 10 professional seasons in Netherlands and Germany. While in Kansas City, he joined the Canada Men's National Team for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, his fourth appearance in the tournament after playing in the 2009, 2011 and 2013 editions. During his first season with Sporting KC, he started 11 of 15 appearances in all competitions with one goal and one assist.
A dual citizen of Canada and Netherlands, de Jong began his youth career with PSV Eindhoven before signing professionally with Helmond Sport in 2004. After two years in the Dutch second division – and scoring against Italy at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands – de Jong joined Roda JC in the top flight Eredivisie in 2006. He made the move to Germany in 2010, signing for FC Augsburg. His initial season with FCA culminated with promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time since the team was founded in 1907 and the club maintained first division status for each of the next four campaigns.
2015: MLS regular season: Started 11 of 13 appearances, contributing to five shutouts (847 minutes played) and recording one goal with one assist. Made his Sporting KC and MLS debut on March 14 in a 3-1 loss at FC Dallas. Earned MLS Team of the Week recognition in Week 3 (March 23). Recorded his first MLS assist in a 4-4 draw at Houston, setting up Krisztian Nemeth's long-range goal. Scored his first goal for the club in a 3-2 loss at Columbus Crew SC on Aug. 22. MLS Cup Playoffs: Did not feature. Open Cup: Made two substitute appearances. Played nine minutes as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 fourth round win over Saint Louis FC on June 16. Played one minute as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 semifinal win over Real Salt Lake on Aug. 12.
2010-2015: Recorded 68 league appearances for FC Augsburg, scoring five goals. Helped Augsburg earn promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in club history at the conclusion of the 2010-11 season. Made 41 Bundesliga appearances from 2011-2015.
2006-2010: Recorded 115 league appearances for Roda JC Kerkrade in the Dutch Eredivisie (2006-08, 2009-10) and second division (2008-09), scoring three goals.
2004-2006: Recorded 50 league appearances for Helmond Sport in the Dutch third division, scoring six goals.
International (42 caps, 3 goals): De Jong has made 42 appearances for the Canada Men's National Team with three goals since his international debut at age 21 in 2007. He has represented his country at each of the past four CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015), as well in 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying. 2015: Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 friendly win over Guatemala on March 27. Started and played 34 minutes in a 3-0 friendly win over Puerto Rico on March 30. Started and played 90 minutes as Canada opened the Gold Cup with a 0-0 draw against El Salvador on July 8. Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 group stage loss to Jamaica on July 11. Started and played 90 minutes in a 0-0 group stage draw against Costa Rica on July 14 as Canada was eliminated from the tournament. Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-0 victory over Belize on Sept. 4 as Canada began its 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Played 75 minutes in the return leg four days later as Canada advanced to the fourth round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, beating Belize 4-1 on aggregate. Scored a spectacular goal in a 1-1 friendly draw against Ghana on Oct. 13 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., the third goal of his international career. Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 win over Honduras on Nov. 13 as Canada began the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Started and played 90 minutes in a 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw at El Salvador on Nov. 17. 2016: Started and played 85 minutes in a 1-0 friendly defeat to the United States on Feb. 5.
