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Christian Ramirez (soccer, born 1991)

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For other people with the same name, see Christian Ramirez (disambiguation).

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 (age 33)
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 FC 50 (21)
2018–2019 Los Angeles FC 24 (6)
2019–2021 Houston Dynamo 31 (8)
2021–2023 Aberdeen 45 (10)
2023– Columbus Crew 53 (16)
International career‡
2019 United States 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 6, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of February 2, 2019

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

Early life and education

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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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5][6][7]

Career

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Charlotte Eagles

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In 2013, Ramirez signed with the Charlotte Eagles of the USL PRO.[8] 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.[9][10] 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.[citation needed]

Minnesota United FC

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On January 8, 2014, Minnesota United FC signed Ramirez for the 2014 NASL season.[11] 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[12][13][14] and the NASL Player of the Month three times.[15]

Ramirez scored his 20th goal on the final game of the 2014 NASL season, equaling the league record held by Campos and Etienne Barbara.[16] Ramirez won the 2014 NASL Golden Boot and the NASL Young Player of the Year award.[17] 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.[18][19] 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.[20]

With Minnesota United's move to Major League Soccer, Ramirez signed an MLS contract in January 2017.[21] Ramirez scored the club's first-ever MLS goal on March 3 in a 5–1 loss at the Portland Timbers.[22] 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.[23][24]

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. He scored his first goal of the season on April 22 in a 3–1 defeat to Seattle Sounders FC. 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.[25]

Los Angeles FC

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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.[26][27] 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.[25]

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.[28]

Houston Dynamo

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On August 7, 2019, Ramirez was traded to Houston Dynamo in exchange for $250,000 in allocation money.[29] 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.[28] His good performances weren't enough to save the Dynamo's season however, with Houston failing to qualify for the playoffs.[30]

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.[31] 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.[32] 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.[31] 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.[33] It was another disappointing season for the Dynamo as a team, finishing bottom of the Western Conference and missing the playoffs again.[34]

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.[35]

Aberdeen

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On June 28, 2021, Ramirez signed with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen.[36][37] Ramirez made his Aberdeen debut on July 22 in the new Europa Conference League where he scored in the 5–1 victory over BK Häcken of Sweden.[38]

Columbus Crew

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On January 19, 2023, Ramirez joined Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew on a two-year deal with an option for a third year.[39] Ramirez scored one of the more memorable goals in Crew history when he found the back of the net in the 115th minute of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals against Hell is Real derby opponent FC Cincinnati, ultimately sending Columbus to the MLS Cup.[40]

International

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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.[41] 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

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Club

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As of October 6, 2024[42][43][33][44]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Charlotte Eagles 2013 USL Pro 23 8 0 0 3 4 — 26 12
Minnesota United FC (NASL) 2014 North American Soccer League 27 20 2 1 1 0 — 30 21
2015 30 12 1 0 1 1 — 32 13
2016 31 18 2 1 — — 33 19
Total 88 50 5 2 2 1 — 95 53
Minnesota United FC 2017 Major League Soccer 30 14 — — — 30 14
2018 20 7 2 0 — — 22 7
Total 50 21 2 0 — — 52 21
Los Angeles FC 2018 Major League Soccer 7 2 — 1 1 — 8 3
2019 17 4 3 0 — — 20 4
Total 24 6 3 0 1 1 — 28 7
Houston Dynamo 2019 Major League Soccer 10 5 — — — 10 5
2020 15 2 — — — 15 2
2021 6 1 — — — 6 1
Total 31 8 — — — 31 8
Aberdeen 2021–22 Scottish Premiership 36 10 2 2 1 0 6[c] 3 45 15
2022–23 9 0 — 6 3 — 15 3
Total 45 10 2 2 7 3 6 3 60 18
Columbus Crew 2023 Major League Soccer 30 8 2 1 5 2 3[d] 2 40 13
2024 23 8 — — 4[e] 0 27 8
Total 53 16 2 1 5 2 7 2 67 21
Career total 314 119 14 5 18 11 13 5 359 140
  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. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  4. ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup
  5. ^ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup

International

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As of November 14, 2020[45]

National Team Year Apps Goals
United States 2019 2 1
Total 2 1
Scores and results list United States' goal tally first.
No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. January 27, 2019 State Farm Stadium, Glendale, United States  Panama 3–0 3–0 Friendly

Source: U.S. Soccer

Personal life

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Ramirez's father, Juan, is a Colombian former player, who immigrated to the United States before Christian's birth.[46] Juan stopped pursuing his soccer career 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."[47] He was raised in a Catholic home and is a Christian.[48] Christian and his wife Valerie have three children together.[49][50] 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.[51]

Honors and awards

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Minnesota United

Columbus Crew

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "40-Player National Team Roster: 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup: United States" (PDF). CONCACAF. p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2019 – via Bernews.
  2. ^ La Rosa, Vince (August 7, 2018). "5 Things: Get To Know New LAFC Forward Christian Ramirez". lafc.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  3. ^ "Christian Ramirez". University of California, Santa Barbara. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  4. ^ "Christian Ramirez". Concordia University. Archived from the original on September 7, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  5. ^ "COLLEGE: A perfect 10". ESPN. November 15, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  6. ^ "COLLEGE: Our all-area teams". ESPN. December 25, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  7. ^ "Open Cup starts with local fight". ESPN. May 15, 2012. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  8. ^ "Ramirez and Prado Sign with Pro Team in Charlotte". Golden State Athletic Conference. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  9. ^ "Christian Ramirez named to USL PRO Team of the Week". Charlotte Eagles. Archived from the original on March 23, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  10. ^ "Timbers U-23s forward Mark Sherrod named to PDL Team of the Week". Portland Timbers. Archived from the original on May 20, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  11. ^ "Minnesota United Signs Colombian-American Forward Christian Ramirez". Minnesota United FC. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  12. ^ "MNU Forward Christian Ramirez Named NASL Player Of Week 6". NASL. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  13. ^ "Ramirez Awarded Player of the Week". NASL. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  14. ^ "Ramirez NASL Player of the Week". NASL. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  15. ^ "Ramirez NASL Player of the Month". NASL. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  16. ^ "United Comes Back to Draw 2–2". Minnesota United FC. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  17. ^ "MN United's Ramirez named NASL's best young player". Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  18. ^ "North American Soccer League Announces 2015 Best XI". Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  19. ^ "North American Soccer League Announces 2016 Best XI". Archived from the original on October 30, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  20. ^ "Media | Individual Records | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC. May 16, 2023. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  21. ^ Tansey, Joe (January 5, 2017). "Minnesota United sign Miguel Ibarra and Christian Ramirez to MLS deals". SBISoccer.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  22. ^ Rodriguez, Alicia (March 3, 2017). "Portland Timbers 5, Minnesota United 1 | 2017 MLS Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  23. ^ "Christian Ramirez 2017 Match Logs". FBref.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  24. ^ "2017 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  25. ^ a b "Christian Ramirez 2018 Match Logs". FBref.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  26. ^ "LAFC Acquires Forward Christian Ramirez from Minnesota United FC | Los Angeles Football Club". Archived from the original on August 7, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  27. ^ Ryan, Megan (August 7, 2018). "Minnesota United deals longtime star Christian Ramirez to LAFC". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  28. ^ a b "Christian Ramirez 2019 Match Logs". FBref.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  29. ^ "LAFC Acquires Allocation Money From Houston Dynamo in Exchange For Forward Christian Ramirez". Los Angeles FC. August 7, 2019. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  30. ^ "2019 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  31. ^ a b "Christian Ramirez 2020 Match Logs". FBref.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  32. ^ Butler, Dylan (July 13, 2020). "Houston Dynamo forward Christian Ramirez leaves MLS is Back Tournament for birth of his child". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  33. ^ a b "Christian Ramirez". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  34. ^ "Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  35. ^ "Christian Ramirez 2021 Match Logs". FBref.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  36. ^ "Houston Dynamo FC transfer forward Christian Ramirez to Aberdeen Football Club". Houston Dynamo FC. June 28, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  37. ^ "US International Striker Joins the Dons". Aberdeen FC. June 28, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  38. ^ "Aberdeen 5-1 Hacken: Lewis Ferguson brace in Europa Conference League win - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. July 22, 2021. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  39. ^ "Christian Ramírez is back: Columbus Crew sign striker from Scotland's Aberdeen". mlssoccer.com. MLS. January 19, 2023. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  40. ^ "Columbus 3-2 Cincinnati (Dec 2, 2023) Game Analysis". ESPN. December 2, 2023. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  41. ^ "Sarachan Calls 30 Player Roster to National Training Center for 2018 January Camp". Ussoccer.com. United States Soccer Federation. January 8, 2018. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  42. ^ Christian Ramirez at Soccerway
  43. ^ "Christian Ramirez 2020 Match Logs". FBref.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  44. ^ "DONS ACCEPT OFFER FOR RAMIREZ". AFC.co.uk. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  45. ^ "Christian Ramirez". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  46. ^ "United's Christian Ramirez plays for his inspiration – his family". Twincities.com. March 31, 2016. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  47. ^ Andy Greder | agreder@pioneerpress. com | Pioneer Press (March 31, 2016). "United's Christian Ramirez plays for his inspiration – his family". Twin Cities. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  48. ^ "LAFC's Christian Ramirez strives to 'put myself second to God' as he leads West's top club". Sports Spectrum. May 2, 2019. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  49. ^ "Christian Ramirez ready for homecoming in debut with LAFC". Los Angeles Times. August 10, 2018. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  50. ^ Hill, Glynn A. (August 4, 2020). "How Christian Ramirez balanced a new baby and the MLS bubble". HoustonChronicle.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  51. ^ "'Dynamic Duo' goes head-to-head when Loons play Houston and fan favorite Christian Ramirez". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
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