Joseph Pérez Bio
Joseph Patrick Pérez Mancilla, known professionally as Joseph Pérez, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender. Born in Anaheim, California, he has spent his senior career navigating a series of clubs across the lower divisions of American and Mexican soccer, building experience through loans and short-term contracts. He is currently signed with USL League One club Tormenta FC, where he continues his development as a reliable back-line option.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, Pérez operates primarily as a defender and has demonstrated the ability to contribute on both sides of the ball. His professional career, which began in 2018, reflects a journeyman path through Liga MX affiliations, the United Soccer League, the National Independent Soccer Association, and USL League One. His journey offers a representative look at the modern pathway available to young American defenders seeking professional minutes.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Patrick Pérez Mancilla was born on June 9, 1997, in Anaheim, California, a city known for its deep soccer culture and proximity to professional and amateur clubs across Southern California. Growing up in this environment provided Pérez with early exposure to the sport and helped shape his path toward competitive play. His Mexican heritage, reflected in his family name, also connected him to football traditions south of the border.
During his formative years, Pérez joined the youth setup of Club Puebla, a Liga MX side based in Puebla, Mexico. He spent time in the club’s development system from 2015 to 2019, a period that allowed him to refine his defensive technique and adapt to a high-tempo training environment. This cross-border experience between the United States and Mexico gave him a broad tactical foundation before he transitioned into senior football.
Path to Soccer
Pérez’s entry into senior professional soccer came through Club Puebla’s first team in 2018, after years of progression through the club’s academy ranks. His promotion represented the culmination of his youth development and provided him with a platform to test himself against experienced professionals. The move also reflected the growing trend of Mexican clubs offering opportunities to Mexican-American players trained in their academies.
To gain consistent senior minutes, Pérez was loaned to Las Vegas Lights FC of the United Soccer League in July 2018, during the club’s inaugural season in the competition. The loan allowed him to experience the pace and physical demands of professional matches in the United States, an important step in his maturation as a defender. Following this exposure, he continued his career across multiple clubs in the American lower divisions.
Joseph Pérez Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Joseph Pérez began his senior career with Club Puebla in 2018, where he was listed as part of the first-team squad while still developing his game. Rather than remaining with the Liga MX club, he was sent on loan to Las Vegas Lights FC of the United Soccer League in July 2018. The loan represented his first sustained opportunity to play regularly in a professional environment.
The experience with Las Vegas Lights during their inaugural USL season allowed Pérez to adjust to the rhythm of weekly professional fixtures. After completing his loan spell, he returned to Puebla before eventually moving on permanently. The period laid the groundwork for the transitions that would define the next phase of his career.
NISA and USL League Two Breakthrough (2020–2022)
In February 2020, Pérez was signed by San Diego 1904 FC of the National Independent Soccer Association ahead of the league’s Spring 2020 season. The move marked his first entry into a new American competition and offered him a prominent role within the squad. He made his debut on February 29 on the road against Stumptown Athletic and scored his first professional goal in the 36th minute, an early highlight that announced his arrival in the league.
Following the abbreviated 2020 NISA campaign, Pérez joined Los Angeles Force ahead of the 2021 season in March 2021, continuing his presence in Southern California. In 2022, he signed with Cal United Strikers, another club operating in the lower divisions of American soccer. Across these three seasons, he gained valuable experience in multiple competitive formats, broadening his defensive versatility.
Chattanooga FC and Tormenta FC Era (2023–Present)
In 2023, Pérez joined Chattanooga FC, where he spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons contributing as a defender. His time with Chattanooga FC allowed him to settle into a more stable environment and build consistency at the club level. The move represented a step forward in his career stability after several single-season stints.
In January 2025, Pérez signed with USL League One club Tormenta FC, marking his current chapter. The signing brought him to a club competing in the third tier of American soccer and offered a new competitive challenge. His transition to Tormenta FC underscores his continued commitment to professional soccer within the American system.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a defender, Joseph Pérez brings a compact 5-foot-9 frame combined with positional discipline and tactical awareness developed through his time in Mexican and American systems. His experience in multiple leagues has equipped him with adaptability against varying styles of play, from the technical tempo of NISA to the physical demands of USL competition. He has also demonstrated attacking contribution from the back, evidenced by his early goal for San Diego 1904 FC.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most notable moments of Joseph Pérez’s career came on February 29, 2020, when he scored his first professional goal in the 36th minute during his debut for San Diego 1904 FC against Stumptown Athletic. The strike provided an immediate impact in his first appearance for the club and remains a clear milestone in his professional journey. His progression through Club Puebla’s youth system also stands as a significant achievement in his development.
Joseph Pérez Career Wins
Across his professional career spanning Club Puebla, Las Vegas Lights FC, San Diego 1904 FC, Los Angeles Force, Cal United Strikers, Chattanooga FC, and Tormenta FC, Joseph Pérez has accumulated experience as a reliable defender in multiple American competitions. While his career has been characterized more by steady contribution than by major silverware, his consistent presence across clubs reflects durability and professional commitment. His goal-scoring debut for San Diego 1904 FC remains one of his most memorable individual achievements.
Club Highlights
Pérez’s club highlights include his loan move to Las Vegas Lights FC during their inaugural 2018 USL season, where he gained his first sustained senior minutes. His debut goal for San Diego 1904 FC in February 2020 stands out as a defining early-career moment. More recently, his January 2025 signing with Tormenta FC marked a fresh chapter in USL League One competition.
Joseph Pérez Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Joseph Patrick Pérez Mancilla’s full name reflects his Mexican-American heritage, with the surname Pérez Mancilla connecting him to family traditions in Mexico. His path through Club Puebla’s youth academy indicates a strong family connection to Mexican football culture, which played a role in shaping his early soccer development.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Anaheim, California, Joseph Pérez continues his professional soccer career within the United States after formative years in Mexico. Public details about his personal relationships and family life remain limited, and he is known primarily for his commitment to the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Joseph Pérez’s first year with Tormenta FC in USL League One after signing with the club in January 2025. The move represents a new chapter following two seasons with Chattanooga FC and provides him with a fresh environment to showcase his defensive abilities. His integration into the squad is part of Tormenta FC’s broader roster construction for the campaign.
Competing in USL League One offers Pérez a consistent platform to play regular matches against a wide range of opponents. His prior experience across the United Soccer League, NISA, and other competitions should help him adapt quickly to the tactical demands of the league. The team will look to his defensive reliability as they navigate the season.
Looking ahead, Pérez’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 centers on establishing himself as a dependable contributor for Tormenta FC. With his professional career now in its seventh year, his experience across multiple leagues positions him well to provide leadership at the back. Continued consistency could open further opportunities within the American soccer system.