Christian Ramirez (soccer, born 1991)

Christian Ramirez (born April 4, 1991) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew.

Christian Ramirez
Ramirez with Minnesota United FC in 2017
Personal information
Full name Christian Ramirez[1]
Date of birth (1991-04-04) April 4, 1991
Place of birth Santa Ana, California, United States
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Columbus Crew
Number 17
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 24 (1)
2011–2012 Concordia Eagles 42 (41)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Orange County Blue Star 27 (4)
2013 Charlotte Eagles 23 (8)
2014–2016 Minnesota United 88 (50)
2017–2018 Minnesota United 50 (21)
2018–2019 Los Angeles FC 24 (6)
2019–2021 Houston Dynamo 31 (8)
2021–2023 Aberdeen 45 (10)
2023– Columbus Crew 30 (8)
International career
2019 United States 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 01:56, 22 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of February 2, 2019

Early life and education

Born in Santa Ana, California, Ramirez attended La Quinta High School in Westminster, California near his hometown of Garden Grove where he played center midfield and forward. As a freshman, he scored 17 goals and tallied 10 assists. During his sophomore year, he scored 18 goals and served eight assists. He opted not to play for the high school team during his junior and senior seasons.[2] Ramirez played for the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and earned the Golden Boot award at the nationals in 2008 after the squad won the tournament. He was named team captain for three seasons.[3]

Ramirez played two years at Concordia University Irvine (CUI) in California after starting his college career at UC Santa Barbara, where he appeared 24 times in two years, making two starts and scoring one goal. The 6'2" forward finished his CUI career with 44 goals and 18 assists. While at Concordia, Ramirez was named NAIA First Team All-American in 2012 while recording 23 goals and 6 assists and was also the GSAC 2012 Player of the Year. In 2011, Ramirez was named All-GSAC First Team and broke the school record for points in a game with five goals and three assists for 13 points against William Jessup. Ramirez tied the school single season mark for points with 48 in 2011 and would go on to set the school record for points in a season with 52 in 2012.[4][5][6]

Club career

Charlotte Eagles

In 2013, Ramirez signed with the Charlotte Eagles of the USL PRO.[7] He made his debut for the squad in a match against Antigua Barracuda FC, in which he tallied his first professional goal and was named to the USL Pro Team of the Week.[8][9] Ramirez finished the regular season with 8 goals and 5 assists. He continued his form into the postseason, scoring 4 goals in 3 playoff appearances and helping lead the Eagles to the USL Pro Championship, where they lost to Orlando City SC.

Minnesota United FC

On January 8, 2014, Minnesota United FC signed Ramirez for the 2014 NASL season.[10] He became a first-choice striker after Pablo Campos suffered an injury in preseason, and went on to start every game, earning the NASL Player of the Week three times[11][12][13] and the NASL Player of the Month three times.[14]

Ramirez scored his 20th goal on the final game of the 2014 NASL season, equaling the league record held by Campos and Etienne Barbara.[15] Ramirez won the 2014 NASL Golden Boot and the NASL Young Player of the Year award.[16] Due to his performances, Ramirez was named in NASL's Best XI for 2014 and earned the same honor in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons.[17][18] Ramirez again won the NASL Golden Boot in 2016 after tallying 18 goals in 31 appearances. Ramirez holds the club record for goals (53) for the now defunct NASL version of Minnesota United.[19]

With Minnesota United's move to Major League Soccer, Ramirez signed an MLS contract in January 2017.[20] Ramirez scored the club's first-ever MLS goal on March 3 in a 5–1 loss at the Portland Timbers.[21] He helped Minnesota earn their first point in league history on March 18, scoring once in a 2–2 draw at the Colorado Rapids. Ramirez scored twice on April 1 to help the Loons secure a 4-2 win over Real Salt Lake. Ramirez ended the season with 14 goals and 3 assists from 30 appearances, but Minnesota finished 9th in the Western Conference and failed to qualify for the playoffs.[22][23]

Ramirez playing for Minnesota in 2018

Minnesota opened the 2018 season with a 3–2 loss at the San Jose Earthquakes, with Ramirez picking up an assist in the game. He scored his first goal of the season on April 22 in a 3–1 defeat to the Seattle Sounders. Ramirez scored 3 times in a 5-game stretch between May 12 and June 23. On July 18, he scored once to help Minnesota to a 2–1 win over the New England Revolution. On July 22, Ramirez scored 2 goals and had one assist as the Loons beat LAFC 5–1.[24]

Los Angeles FC

On August 6, 2018, Ramirez was traded to Los Angeles FC for $250,000 in General Allocation Money in 2018 and 2019, $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2018, $200,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2019, and up to $200,000 in future Allocation Money based on performance.[25][26] Ramirez made his LAFC debut on August 11 and scored his first two goals for the team in a 2–0 win against Real Salt Lake on August 15. He finished his debut season for LAFC with eight appearances and three goals across all competitions.[24]

During his second season with LAFC in 2019, Ramirez began the year as the team's starting striker due to Adama Diomande's injury. He scored his first goal of the season in the second matchweek against the Portland Timbers in a 4–1 victory. On July 3, 2019, Ramirez had a goal and an assist in a 5–1 win over Sporting Kansas City. During his partial second season with LAFC, Ramirez scored four goals from 20 appearances across all competitions.[27]

Houston Dynamo

On August 7, 2019, Ramirez was traded to Houston Dynamo in exchange for $250,000 in allocation money.[28] Ramirez made his Dynamo debut and scored his first goal for his new club on August 11 in a 2–1 loss to the Philadelphia Union. On September 11, the Dynamo hosted Ramirez's old team, Minnesota. He scored once as the Dynamo defeated the Loons 2–0. In the final game of the season, Ramirez scored twice, including the winner in the 83rd minute, to help Houston defeat the LA Galaxy 4–2. He enjoyed good form to end the year, scoring 5 and assisting 1 in his 10 games with the Dynamo.[27] His good performances weren't enough to save the Dynamo's season however, with Houston failing to qualify for the playoffs.[29]

After the first two games of the 2020 season, with Ramirez appearing off the bench in both, the season was paused for four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[30] Houston returned to play in July with the MLS is Back Tournament, however Ramirez did not take part, leaving the "bubble" to be with his wife for the birth of their second child.[31] He rejoined the team after the tournament and made his first start of the year on August 21 in a 0–0 draw with FC Dallas. On August 25 Ramirez scored once and added an assist as Houston won 5–2 at Sporting Kansas City. He found the back of the net again on September 9 to give Houston a 1–1 draw at the Colorado Rapids.[30] In a shortened season due to COVID-19, Ramirez ended the season with 2 goals and 2 assists from 15 games, 8 of them being starts.[32] It was another disappointing season for the Dynamo as a team, finishing bottom of the Western Conference and missing the playoffs again.[33]

During the 2021 season, Ramirez only made 6 appearances before being transferred. He scored in his only start, a 3–1 loss at the Colorado Rapids on May 15.[34]

Aberdeen

On June 28, 2021, Ramirez signed with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen.[35][36] Ramirez made his Aberdeen debut on 22 July in the new Europa Conference League where he scored in the 5–1 victory over BK Häcken of Sweden.[37]

Columbus Crew

On January 19, 2023, Ramirez joined Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew on a two year deal with an option for a third year.[38]

International career

On January 8, 2018, Ramirez received a call-up for the United States men's national soccer team for a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.[39] He made his first appearance as a substitute against Panama on January 27, 2019, along with scoring his first goal for the senior team.

Career statistics

Club

As of September 22, 2023[40][41][42][43]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[lower-alpha 1] League cup[lower-alpha 2] Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Charlotte Eagles 2013 USL Pro 23800342612
Minnesota United FC (NASL) 2014 North American Soccer League 272021103021
2015 301210113213
2016 3118213319
Total 885052219553
Minnesota United FC 2017 Major League Soccer 30143014
2018 20720227
Total 5021205221
Los Angeles FC 2018 Major League Soccer 721183
2019 17430204
Total 2463011287
Houston Dynamo 2019 Major League Soccer 105105
2020 152152
2021 6161
Total 318318
Aberdeen 2021–22 Scottish Premiership 361022106[lower-alpha 3]34515
2022–23 9063153
Total 45102273636018
Columbus Crew 2023 Major League Soccer 258213[lower-alpha 4]23011
Career total 28611114513995322130
  1. Includes U.S. Open Cup and Scottish Cup
  2. Includes USL Pro play-offs, NASL play-offs, MLS Cup Playoffs and Scottish League Cup
  3. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa Conference League
  4. Appearance(s) in Leagues Cup

International

As of November 14, 2020[44]

National Team Year Apps Goals
United States 201921
Total21
Scores and results list United States' goal tally first.
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.January 27, 2019State Farm Stadium, Glendale, United States Panama3–03–0Friendly

Source: US Soccer

Personal life

Ramirez's father, Juan, is a Colombian former footballer, who immigrated to the United States prior to Christian's birth.[45] Juan stopped pursuing his soccer career in order to move his family to California. Ramirez says one of his motivations for playing soccer is to "live out [Juan's] dream that he wasn't able to."[46] He was raised in a Catholic home and is a Christian.[47] Christian and his wife Valerie have two daughters together.[48][49] Ramirez developed a strong friendship with fellow Californian and former Orange County Blue Star and Minnesota United teammate Miguel Ibarra. Ramirez and Ibarra were nicknamed "Superman" and "Batman" by the Minnesota fans.[50]

Honors

Minnesota United

Individual

References

  1. "40-Player National Team Roster: 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup: United States" (PDF). CONCACAF. p. 16. Retrieved May 21, 2019 via Bernews.
  2. "Christian Ramirez". University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  3. "Christian Ramirez". Concordia University. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  4. "COLLEGE: A perfect 10". ESPN. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  5. "COLLEGE: Our all-area teams". ESPN. 25 December 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  6. "Open Cup starts with local fight". ESPN. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  7. "Ramirez and Prado Sign with Pro Team in Charlotte". Golden State Athletic Conference. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  8. "Christian Ramirez named to USL PRO Team of the Week". Charlotte Eagles. Archived from the original on 2013-03-23. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  9. "Timbers U-23s forward Mark Sherrod named to PDL Team of the Week". Portland Timbers. Archived from the original on 2012-05-20. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  10. "Minnesota United Signs Colombian-American Forward Christian Ramirez". Minnesota United FC. Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  11. "MNU Forward Christian Ramirez Named NASL Player Of Week 6". NASL. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  12. "Ramirez Awarded Player of the Week". NASL. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  13. "Ramirez NASL Player of the Week". NASL. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  14. "Ramirez NASL Player of the Month". NASL. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  15. "United Comes Back to Draw 2–2". Minnesota United FC. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  16. "MN United's Ramirez named NASL's best young player". Archived from the original on 2014-11-12. Retrieved 2014-11-12.
  17. "North American Soccer League Announces 2015 Best XI". Retrieved 2017-12-06.
  18. "North American Soccer League Announces 2016 Best XI". Retrieved 2017-12-06.
  19. "Media | Individual Records | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC. 2023-05-16. Archived from the original on 2021-07-31. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  20. Tansey, Joe (January 5, 2017). "Minnesota United sign Miguel Ibarra and Christian Ramirez to MLS deals". SBISoccer.com. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  21. Rodriguez, Alicia (March 3, 2017). "Portland Timbers 5, Minnesota United 1 | 2017 MLS Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  22. "Christian Ramirez 2017 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  23. "2017 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  24. "Christian Ramirez 2018 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  25. "LAFC Acquires Forward Christian Ramirez from Minnesota United FC | Los Angeles Football Club". Archived from the original on 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  26. Ryan, Megan (August 7, 2018). "Minnesota United deals longtime star Christian Ramirez to LAFC". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  27. "Christian Ramirez 2019 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  28. "LAFC Acquires Allocation Money From Houston Dynamo in Exchange For Forward Christian Ramirez". Los Angeles FC. 7 August 2019.
  29. "2019 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  30. "Christian Ramirez 2020 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  31. Butler, Dylan (July 13, 2020). "Houston Dynamo forward Christian Ramirez leaves MLS is Back Tournament for birth of his child". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  32. "Christian Ramirez". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  33. "Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  34. "Christian Ramirez 2021 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  35. "Houston Dynamo FC transfer forward Christian Ramirez to Aberdeen Football Club". Houston Dynamo FC. June 28, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-06-28. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  36. "US International Striker Joins the Dons". Aberdeen FC. June 28, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-06-28. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  37. "Aberdeen 5-1 Hacken: Lewis Ferguson brace in Europa Conference League win - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  38. "Christian Ramírez is back: Columbus Crew sign striker from Scotland's Aberdeen". mlssoccer.com. MLS. January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  39. "Sarachan Calls 30 Player Roster to National Training Center for 2018 January Camp". Ussoccer.com. United States Soccer Federation. January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  40. Christian Ramirez at Soccerway
  41. "Christian Ramirez 2020 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  42. "Christian Ramirez". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  43. "DONS ACCEPT OFFER FOR RAMIREZ". AFC.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  44. "Christian Ramirez". National Football Teams. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  45. "United's Christian Ramirez plays for his inspiration – his family". Twincities.com. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  46. Andy Greder | agreder@pioneerpress. com | Pioneer Press (2016-03-31). "United's Christian Ramirez plays for his inspiration – his family". Twin Cities. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  47. "LAFC's Christian Ramirez strives to 'put myself second to God' as he leads West's top club". Sports Spectrum. 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  48. "Christian Ramirez ready for homecoming in debut with LAFC". Los Angeles Times. 2018-08-10. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  49. Hill, Glynn A. (2020-08-04). "How Christian Ramirez balanced a new baby and the MLS bubble". HoustonChronicle.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  50. "'Dynamic Duo' goes head-to-head when Loons play Houston and fan favorite Christian Ramirez". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.