Christian Ramirez Bio
Christian Ramirez is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy. Born on April 4, 1991, in Santa Ana, California, he has had a distinguished career, playing for various teams including Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew. Ramirez is known for his strong performances on the field, earning accolades and becoming a key player for his clubs. In addition, he has represented the United States in international matches, showcasing his talent on a grand stage.
Early Life and Background
Born in Santa Ana, California, Christian Ramirez attended La Quinta High School in Westminster, California, 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. Ramirez played for the Olympic Development Program 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. Ramirez started his college career at the University of California, Santa Barbara, playing in the midfield and as a defender. He appeared 24 times in two years, making two starts and scoring one goal. He later transferred to Concordia University Irvine, finishing his college career playing as a striker, scoring 44 goals and 18 assists in his two years at Concordia. 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. He 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.
Path to Soccer
Christian Ramirez began his professional career with the Orange County Blue Star in 2010, where he played until 2012. He then signed with the Charlotte Eagles in 2013, making his debut in a match against Antigua Barracuda FC, where he scored his first professional goal and was named to the USL Pro Team of the Week. 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. On January 8, 2014, Minnesota United FC signed Ramirez for the 2014 NASL season. 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 and the NASL Player of the Month three times. Ramirez scored his 20th goal on the final game of the 2014 NASL season, equaling the league record held by Campos and Etienne Barbara. He won the 2014 NASL Golden Boot and the NASL Young Player of the Year award. 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.
Christian Ramirez Career
Early Career (2010-2013)
Christian Ramirez’s first notable work came with the Orange County Blue Star, where he quickly made a name for himself. After a successful stint, he moved to the Charlotte Eagles, where he made a significant impact by scoring goals and assisting his teammates. His performance earned him recognition and set the stage for his future in professional soccer.
Breakthrough (2014-2016)
Ramirez’s breakthrough came when he signed with Minnesota United FC in 2014. He became a key player for the team, starting every game and earning multiple accolades, including the NASL Golden Boot and NASL Young Player of the Year. His scoring prowess helped him secure a place in the NASL’s Best XI for three consecutive seasons. With Minnesota United’s transition to Major League Soccer, Ramirez signed an MLS contract in January 2017 and scored the club’s first-ever MLS goal on March 3. He ended the season with 14 goals and 3 assists from 30 appearances.
Notable Works and Milestones
Ramirez holds the club record for goals for the now-defunct NASL version of Minnesota United. He continued to excel in Major League Soccer, contributing significantly to his teams and earning respect as a reliable forward.
Christian Ramirez Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Christian Ramirez has received several nominations for his outstanding performances on the field, particularly during his time in the NASL and MLS.
Christian Ramirez Awards Won
Christian Ramirez has won multiple awards, including the NASL Golden Boot and NASL Young Player of the Year, highlighting his impact in the league and his contributions to his teams.
Christian Ramirez Family
Christian Ramirez’s father, Juan, is a Colombian former player who immigrated to the United States before Christian’s birth. 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 his father’s dream that he wasn’t able to.
Personal Life
Christian Ramirez is married to Valerie, and they have three children together. He was raised in a Catholic home and is a Christian. Ramirez developed a strong friendship with fellow Californian and former teammate Miguel Ibarra, and they were nicknamed “Superman” and “Batman” by Minnesota fans.