Christian Ramirez (soccer, born 1991)

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For other people with the same name, see Christian Ramirez (disambiguation).
Christian Ramirez
Christian Ramirez - MNUFC - MLS - Soccer 2017-03-12 (36508093885) (cropped).jpg
Ramirez playing for Minnesota United FC in 2017
Personal information
Full name Christian Ramirez[1]
Date of birth (1991-04-04) April 4, 1991 (age 30)
Place of birth Santa Ana, California, United States
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Aberdeen
Number 9
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 90 (51)
2017–2018 Minnesota United 50 (21)
2018–2019 Los Angeles FC 24 (6)
2019–2021 Houston Dynamo 31 (8)
2021– Aberdeen 6 (2)
National team‡
2019– United States 2 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:45, 18 September 2021 (UTC)
‡ 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 striker for Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen. He has won two caps for the United States national team, scoring once.

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 announced that they had signed Ramirez for the 2014 NASL season.[10] After first-choice striker Pablo Campos suffered a torn ACL in preseason, Ramirez enjoyed a breakout season while starting every game. Ramirez was named NASL Player of the Week three times,[11][12][13] and the NASL Player of the Month three times, for May/June, August, and October/November.[14]

On the final game of the 2014 NASL Season, Ramirez scored his 20th goal, equaling the league record held by Campos and Etienne Barbara.[15] Ramirez won the 2014 NASL Golden Boot by an 8-goal margin 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 went on to earn 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 both appearances and goals (95 and 53 respectively) for the now defunct NASL version of Minnesota United after they folded due to being selected for MLS expansion.

Ramirez playing for Minnesota in 2018

With Minnesota United's move to Major League Soccer, Ramirez was signed to an MLS contract, which was announced in January 2017.[19] On March 3 Minnesota played their first game in MLS history, a 5–1 loss at the Portland Timbers, with Ramirez scoring the goal, MNUFC's first in MLS.[20] He helped Minnesota earn their first point in league history on March 18, scoring once in a 2–2 draw at the Colorado Rapids. On April 1, Ramirez scored twice to help give the Loons a 4–2 win over Real Salt Lake.[21] Ramirez scored once in a 4–0 win over D.C. United on July 29, but had to leave the game early due to a hamstring injury.[22] After missing 4 games, he returned to action on September 16, coming off the bench in a 3–0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps. Ramirez scored his first goal since returning from injury on September 16 to help the Loons to a 3–1 win over the Montreal Impact. On September 23, he scored once and added two assists to help Minnesota defeat FC Dallas 4–1. On October 3, Ramirez scored in the 90th minute to level the score with Atlanta United at 2. Kevin Molino would score in the 96th minute to give the Loons a 3–2 win. Ramirez ended the season with 14 goals and 3 assists from 30 appearances.[21] Despite the strong play from Ramirez, Minnesota finished 9th in the Western Conference and failed to qualify for the playoffs.[23]

Minnesota opened 2018 on March 3 with a 3–2 loss at the San Jose Earthquakes, with Ramirez picking up an assist in the game. After being scoreless in the first 6 games, he found the back of the net on April 22 in a 3–1 defeat to the Seattle Sounders. Between May 12 and June 23, Ramirez scored 3 times in a 5-game stretch in MLS play. 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 in exchange 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 the player's performance.[25] Should Ramirez satisfy all performance metrics, the total transfer fee will be $1,000,000.[26] Ramirez made his LAFC debut on August 11, coming on as a sub in a 2–0 loss to Sporting Kansas City. On August 15, 2018, Ramirez scored his first two LAFC goals in a 2–0 win against Real Salt Lake. He would go scoreless for his next 5 appearances, but in the 1st game of the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, Ramirez would score to give LAFC a lead in the 54th minute. However, Real Salt Lake would come back to win 3–2 to eliminate LAFC and Ramirez.[24] He finished his debut season for LAFC with 8 appearances and 3 goals across all competitions.[24]

In 2019, LAFC got off to a strong start to the season. Ramirez picked up his first goal of the season in matchweek 2 in a 4–1 win over the Portland Timbers. Ramirez started the season as the team's starting striker, in part due to Adama Diomande not being fully fit. On July 3, Ramirez had one goal and one assist in a 5–1 win over Sporting Kansas City.[27] He ended his 2nd season for LAFC having scored 4 goals from 20 appearances in all competitions.[28]

Houston Dynamo[]

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.[27] 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[]

On June 28, 2021, Ramirez signed with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen.[36][37] 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.[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 20 September 2021[40][41][42]
Club League Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Charlotte Eagles USL Pro 2013 23 8 0 0 3 4 — 26 12
Minnesota United FC (NASL) North American Soccer League 2014 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 0 0 95 53
Minnesota United FC Major League Soccer 2017 30 14 0 0 — — 30 14
2018 20 7 2 0 — — 22 7
Total 50 21 2 0 0 0 0 0 52 21
Los Angeles FC Major League Soccer 2018 7 2 0 0 1 1 — 8 3
2019 17 4 3 0 0 0 — 20 4
Total 24 6 3 0 1 1 0 0 28 7
Houston Dynamo Major League Soccer 2019 10 5 0 0 — 0 0 10 5
2020 15 2 0 0 — — 15 2
2021 6 1 0 0 0 0 — 6 1
Total 31 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 8
Aberdeen Scottish Premiership 2021–22 6 2 0 0 1[c] 0 6[d] 3 13 5
Career total 222 95 10 2 7 6 6 3 245 106
  1. ^ Includes the U.S. Open Cup and Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Includes the USL Pro Playoffs, NASL Playoffs, MLS Cup Playoffs, and Scottish League Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in the Scottish League Cup
  4. ^ Appearances in Europa Conference League

International[]

As of November 14, 2020.[43]

National Team Year Apps Goals
United States 2019 2 1
Total 2 1

International goals[]

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: US Soccer

Personal life[]

Ramirez's father, Juan, is a Colombian former footballer, who immigrated to the United States prior to Christian's birth.[44] 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."[45] He was raised in a Catholic home and is a Christian.[46] Christian and his wife Valerie have two daughters together.[47][48] 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.[49]

Honours[]

Team[]

Minnesota United[]

Individual[]

  • NASL Best XI: 2014, 2015, 2016
  • NASL Golden Boot: 2014, 2016
  • North American Soccer League Young Player of the Year: 2014
  • NASL Player of the Month – May/June 2014, August 2014, October/November 2014, July 2015, July 2016
  • NASL Player of the Week – Week 4 2016, Week 12 2016

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. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-11-12. Retrieved 2014-11-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  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. ^ Tansey, Joe (January 5, 2017). "Minnesota United sign Miguel Ibarra and Christian Ramirez to MLS deals". SBISoccer.com. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  20. ^ Rodriguez, Alicia (March 3, 2017). "Portland Timbers 5, Minnesota United 1 | 2017 MLS Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b "Christian Ramirez 2017 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  22. ^ Romero, Jose (July 29, 2017). "Minnesota United 4, DC United 0 | 2017 MLS Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  23. ^ "2017 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Christian Ramirez 2018 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  25. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2018-08-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. ^ Ryan, Megan (August 7, 2018). "Minnesota United deals longtime star Christian Ramirez to LAFC". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b "Christian Ramirez 2019 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  28. ^ "USA - C. Ramírez - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  29. ^ "LAFC Acquires Allocation Money From Houston Dynamo in Exchange For Forward Christian Ramirez". Los Angeles FC. 7 August 2019.
  30. ^ "2019 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b "Christian Ramirez 2020 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ "Christian Ramirez". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  34. ^ "Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  35. ^ "Christian Ramirez 2021 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  36. ^ "Houston Dynamo FC transfer forward Christian Ramirez to Aberdeen Football Club". Houston Dynamo FC. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  37. ^ "US International Striker Joins the Dons". Aberdeen FC. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  38. ^ "Aberdeen 5-1 Hacken: Lewis Ferguson brace in Europa Conference League win - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  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. ^ "Christian Ramirez". National Football Teams. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  44. ^ "United's Christian Ramirez plays for his inspiration – his family". Twincities.com. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  45. ^ 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.
  46. ^ "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.
  47. ^ "Christian Ramirez ready for homecoming in debut with LAFC". Los Angeles Times. 2018-08-10. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  48. ^ Hill, Glynn A. (2020-08-04). "How Christian Ramirez balanced a new baby and the MLS bubble". HoustonChronicle.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  49. ^ "'Dynamic Duo' goes head-to-head when Loons play Houston and fan favorite Christian Ramirez". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2019-11-16.

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