Andrés Reyes Bio
Andrés Felipe Reyes Ambuila is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer expansion club San Diego FC, where he wears the number 4 shirt. Born on 8 September 1999 in Puerto Tejada, Colombia, he developed through the youth system of Atlético Nacional before establishing himself as a reliable centre-back in North America. Standing 1.91 m tall, Reyes is known for his aerial ability and physical presence at the back.
Early Life and Background
Andrés Felipe Reyes Ambuila was born on 8 September 1999 in Puerto Tejada, a municipality in the Cauca department of Colombia. He grew up in a country with a deep passion for football, and from an early age he gravitated toward the sport, eventually joining the academy of Atlético Nacional, one of the most prestigious clubs in Colombian football. His time in the Nacional academy helped him refine the defensive fundamentals that would later define his professional career.
His physical development, including the height that would eventually reach 1.91 m, allowed him to stand out among his peers as a centre-back. Reyes progressed steadily through the various age-group teams at Atlético Nacional, gaining the experience and match fitness required to compete at senior level. His consistent performances at youth level earned him a promotion into the first team by the time he was 19.
Path to Soccer
Reyes’s path to professional soccer ran almost entirely through the Atlético Nacional academy, where he learned the tactical discipline and positional awareness required of a modern central defender. His standout performances in the youth ranks convinced the club’s coaching staff to integrate him into the senior squad during the 2018 season. The transition from academy prospect to first-team player represented the first major milestone of his career.
In parallel with his club development, Reyes also represented Colombia at youth international level, beginning with the under-20 side in 2019 and later featuring for the under-23 team in 2020. These national-team experiences sharpened his understanding of high-level competition and provided a platform that would later help him earn a full senior cap with Colombia in 2023.
Andrés Reyes Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Reyes made his senior debut for Atlético Nacional on 27 October 2018, appearing in a 2–0 loss against Once Caldas. The following year, he scored his first senior goal for the club in a 3–1 victory against Unión Magdalena, signaling his growing influence at the back. His composed performances in Colombia’s top flight drew the attention of clubs abroad.
In February 2020, Inter Miami announced the signing of Reyes on a year-long loan ahead of the club’s inaugural Major League Soccer season. He debuted for Miami on 7 March 2020, starting in a 2–1 defeat to D.C. United. After 13 appearances, the club opted not to exercise its purchase option, and Reyes returned to Atlético Nacional before moving to the New York Red Bulls in January 2021.
New York Red Bulls Breakthrough (2021–2024)
On 19 January 2021, Reyes signed with the New York Red Bulls, and he immediately made an impact by scoring on his debut against New England Revolution on 22 May 2021, although he also received two yellow cards in that match. Over the course of his Red Bulls tenure, he became a fixture in the starting eleven and contributed key goals from central defense, including strikes against CF Montréal and Charlotte FC in 2023 and 2024.
Reyes’s most dramatic moment with New York came on 30 November 2024, when he headed in a set-piece goal against Orlando City SC to secure a 1–0 victory and send the Red Bulls to MLS Cup 2024. He also played a vital role in the 2023 season opener at Minnesota United, scoring the equalizing goal in a 1–1 draw. His consistency and aerial threat made him one of the most dependable defenders in the squad.
San Diego FC Era (2025–Present)
On 12 December 2024, Reyes was acquired by San Diego FC, the Major League Soccer expansion club preparing for its inaugural 2025 season. The move involved $800,000 in General Allocation Money split across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, while the New York Red Bulls retained a sell-on fee. Wearing the number 4 shirt, Reyes joined as one of the experienced centre-backs tasked with anchoring the new franchise’s defense.
Playing Style and Strengths
Reyes is recognized for his aerial dominance, timing in challenges, and ability to read the game from a central defensive position. His height of 1.91 m allows him to win headers in both boxes, while his composure on the ball enables him to start attacks from the back. He typically partners effectively with a defensive-minded midfield and thrives in systems that emphasize set-piece efficiency.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Reyes’s signature moments is his 30 November 2024 set-piece winner against Orlando City SC that delivered New York to MLS Cup 2024, and his debut goal against New England Revolution in May 2021. He also represented Colombia at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, starting all five matches and scoring in the Round of 16 against New Zealand.
Andrés Reyes Career Wins
Across his senior club career, Andrés Felipe Reyes Ambuila has been recognized as a reliable defender rather than a frequent scorer, with his most celebrated results coming through team achievements and decisive defensive contributions. His goal against Orlando City SC in November 2024 stands as one of the most important strikes of his career.
Club Highlights
At Atlético Nacional, Reyes developed within one of Colombia’s most decorated clubs and contributed to a competitive squad during his first-team years. With the New York Red Bulls, he was part of the team that reached MLS Cup 2024, a defining achievement of his time in Major League Soccer. His move to San Diego FC in 2025 represents a fresh chapter as he helps establish a new expansion side.
International Performances
Reyes featured prominently for Colombia at youth level, starting every match at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup and scoring in the Round of 16. He earned his first senior cap for Colombia in 2023, marking the transition from promising prospect to established international defender.
Andrés Reyes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Reyes’s immediate family remains limited, with no widely available details regarding his parents or siblings. His upbringing in Puerto Tejada, Colombia, placed him in a region with a strong football culture that helped shape his early development.
Personal Life
Reyes has maintained a relatively private personal life, and no verified information about a spouse or children is publicly available. He continues his professional career in the United States while representing Colombia at international level.
2025 Season Performance
Reyes entered 2025 as a central defender for San Diego FC during the club’s inaugural Major League Soccer campaign. His experience with the New York Red Bulls, including the run to MLS Cup 2024, positioned him as a leader in the expansion side’s back line. The club’s investment in him through $800,000 in General Allocation Money underlined expectations that he would anchor the defense from the opening match.
Throughout the 2025 season, Reyes’s aerial ability and set-piece presence were expected to remain central to San Diego FC’s identity. His familiarity with Major League Soccer, gained across four seasons with the Red Bulls, gave the new club an experienced reference point in a developing squad. The transition from playoff contender with New York to foundational figure with San Diego represented both a personal and professional evolution.
Looking ahead, Reyes’s role with San Diego FC offered a chance to cement himself as a long-term starter for both club and country, with continued senior international duty for Colombia a realistic ambition. His performances in 2025 were set against the backdrop of an expansion project seeking to establish defensive stability as a core identity.