David Ochoa
David Ochoa (born 16 January 2001) is an American professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. Born in the United States, he represents Mexico internationally and currently plays for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. Standing 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) tall, Ochoa has built a career across the youth, lower-division, and senior ranks of North American soccer.
David Ochoa Bio
David Ochoa is a professional goalkeeper whose career has taken him from California youth soccer to senior international duty with Mexico. He first gained notice as a teenager in the Real Salt Lake development system and went on to win a USL Championship title with Real Monarchs in 2019. He later represented the United States at youth level before switching his international allegiance to Mexico in 2021.
Early Life and Background
David Ochoa was born on 16 January 2001 in Oxnard, California, to Mexican parents. He was introduced to the sport at a young age by his father, who also played as a goalkeeper. Growing up in a family with ties to Mexico, Ochoa developed his early game in Southern California and played youth soccer with AC Brea.
Ochoa gained national attention at the 2015 Dallas Cup youth tournament, where he helped his team win the U14 title. His performances drew interest from Mexican clubs Guadalajara and Monterrey, as well as American sides LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake. In April 2015, he earned his first United States youth team call-up to the U14 squad.
He joined the Guadalajara youth academy but could not play in competitive matches because Mexican regulations required his parents to be present while he was a minor. During his time in Mexico, he also trained with the Mexico U16 team. He later returned to the United States and joined the Real Salt Lake Academy to continue his development.
Path to Professional Soccer
Ochoa’s path to the professional ranks began with the Real Salt Lake development pipeline, which includes both the academy and the USL affiliate Real Monarchs. After a trial with Manchester United in August 2018 drew headlines, he signed a first-team contract with Real Salt Lake on 28 November 2018, ahead of the 2019 season.
He made his senior debut for Real Monarchs on 22 April 2018, in a 2–0 loss to Tampa Bay Rowdies, becoming the second-youngest goalkeeper ever to debut in USL. He then won the USL Championship with Real Monarchs in 2019, defeating Louisville City FC on 17 November 2019, and also played in the 2019 MLS Homegrown Game at the MLS All-Star Game.
His performances at youth and lower-division level led to a senior call-up to the United States under-20 squad for the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, which the team won. He also represented the United States at the under-16 and under-18 levels before eventually switching his international future to Mexico in 2021.
David Ochoa Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Ochoa opened his senior career with Real Monarchs, the USL Championship affiliate of Real Salt Lake. His debut on 22 April 2018 made him the second-youngest goalkeeper in USL history, and he became a regular starter as the club pushed for silverware. The 2019 season brought his first major team trophy when Real Monarchs lifted the USL Championship title.
He was officially signed to a Real Salt Lake senior contract in November 2018 and spent the 2019 campaign on loan at Real Monarchs to continue his development. Ochoa made his Major League Soccer debut for Real Salt Lake on 8 November 2020, against Sporting Kansas City, completing his transition from the developmental ranks to the top American flight.
Real Salt Lake Era (2020–2022)
After debuting late in the 2020 MLS season, Ochoa became a more regular figure for Real Salt Lake in 2021. He recorded his first Major League Soccer shutout on 15 May 2021, against Nashville SC, and was also involved in a notable on-field moment when he was fined for kicking the ball into the stands during a 24 April 2021 match against Minnesota United FC.
His strong form at club level coincided with senior United States recognition. In December 2020, he was called up to the United States senior team by head coach Gregg Berhalter for a friendly against El Salvador, although he was later replaced in the squad due to a right quad strain. He also started three matches for the United States under-23 team during 2020 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship, where the team failed to qualify for the Tokyo Games after a 2–1 loss to Honduras.
D.C. United and Atlético San Luis (2022–2023)
In 2022, Ochoa moved to D.C. United in Major League Soccer, where he continued his development as a senior professional goalkeeper. The move to the East Coast signaled a new chapter after his Real Salt Lake years and gave him the chance to compete for a starting role in a different market.
Later that same year, he transferred to Atlético San Luis of Liga MX in Mexico, joining the top flight of Mexican club football. The move reflected his connection to Mexico through his family background and gave him experience in one of the strongest domestic leagues in the CONCACAF region.
Los Angeles FC Era (2024–Present)
On 13 September 2024, Ochoa signed with Los Angeles FC of Major League Soccer from the club’s reserve team, Los Angeles FC 2. The move brought him to one of the most ambitious clubs in MLS and reunited him with the broader Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles-area development networks. A season later, Ochoa’s contract option was declined.
During his time with the Los Angeles FC system, Ochoa continued to work on refining his game as a senior goalkeeper. He was also sent on loan to Los Angeles FC 2 in 2025, allowing him to maintain match fitness while the first team evaluated its roster plans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ochoa is a tall, athletic goalkeeper at 1.88 m, and his game has been built on shot-stopping and command of his penalty area. His early experience in high-pressure youth international tournaments shaped a confident, vocal style between the posts.
Notable Events and Milestones
His milestones include winning the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship with the United States, becoming the second-youngest goalkeeper to debut in USL, winning the 2019 USL Championship with Real Monarchs, and earning selection to the senior United States squad in December 2020. He also switched his international allegiance to Mexico in 2021 and made his Mexico U21 debut on 9 October 2021 against Romania U21, before receiving his first senior Mexico call-up in April 2022.
David Ochoa Career Wins
David Ochoa’s trophy cabinet reflects a steady climb through American and North American soccer. His earliest major honours came at youth international level, followed by a domestic cup-style championship at the lower-division professional tier.
United States Youth Honours
Ochoa was a member of the United States under-20 squad that won the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. He was also part of the under-18 team that won the 2018 Vaclav Jezek Tournament in the Czech Republic, where he made multiple penalty saves in the final. At senior level, he was part of the United States squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, which the U.S. won.
Club Honours
At club level, Ochoa won the USL Championship with Real Monarchs in 2019, defeating Louisville City FC in the final. The trophy remains his most significant senior club honour to date and helped establish him as a promising young goalkeeper in the American system.
David Ochoa Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
David Ochoa was born in Oxnard, California, to Mexican parents. His father, who also played as a goalkeeper, introduced him to the sport at a young age and helped shape his early development between the posts. The family ties to Mexico played a major role in Ochoa’s eventual decision to represent Mexico at international level.
Personal Life
Beyond his career on the pitch, Ochoa’s personal life has been closely tied to his Mexican-American roots. His decision to file a one-time switch with FIFA in 2021, allowing him to represent the Mexico national team, was widely viewed as a reflection of his family heritage. He continues to base his professional career in the United States.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, David Ochoa is part of the Los Angeles FC system while on loan at Los Angeles FC 2. The arrangement allows him to accumulate regular playing time as he works toward re-establishing himself as a starter at Major League Soccer level. With his first-team contract option declined, his performances in 2025 will be closely watched by clubs across MLS and Liga MX.
At international level, Ochoa remains part of the Mexico pool following his senior call-up in April 2022 under manager Gerardo Martino. Any return to the senior squad will depend on his club form and consistency throughout the year.
Long term, the 2025 campaign represents a pivotal year for Ochoa, who will be looking to translate his youth and lower-division success into a stable senior role. A strong season could open the door to a new first-team opportunity, whether in Los Angeles or elsewhere in the CONCACAF region.