Joseph Rosales Bio
Joseph Yerimid Rosales Erazo is a Honduran professional footballer who plays as a wide midfielder and left-back for Major League Soccer club Austin FC and the Honduras national team. Standing 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) tall, he is comfortable operating on either flank, having been deployed as a left wingback and in central midfield during his MLS career. After developing in his native Honduras and Panama, Rosales moved to the United States in 2021 and has since become a regular contributor at the top level of North American soccer.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Yerimid Rosales Erazo was born on 6 November 2000 in Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras. Growing up in a country with a strong footballing tradition, he was exposed to the sport from a young age and progressed through local youth development pathways in the Honduran capital. His early years in Tegucigalpa laid the foundation for a professional career that would soon take him beyond Central America.
During his formative years, Rosales developed the versatility that would later define his senior career, learning to operate in multiple positions across the back line and midfield. His physical maturation, combined with a measured playing style, made him an attractive prospect for clubs in the region as he approached senior football. By the time he was a late teenager, he was ready to make his professional debut in a competitive adult environment.
Path to Soccer
Rosales began his senior career in 2018 with Independiente, a club based in La Chorrera, Panama, competing in the Liga Panameña de Fútbol. He spent three seasons in Panama, gaining valuable first-team experience in one of Central America’s most established professional leagues. The move from Honduras to Panama represented an important early step in his development, exposing him to a different style of play and a higher level of weekly competition.
After establishing himself as a reliable contributor at Independiente, Rosales attracted the attention of Major League Soccer clubs in the United States. In August 2021, he joined Minnesota United on loan, marking his entry into MLS and beginning a multi-year association with the Minnesota soccer community. The loan spell provided the platform for what would become a long-term commitment to the league and to North American soccer.
Joseph Rosales Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Rosales opened his senior career with Independiente in the 2018 season, playing in the Liga Panameña de Fútbol. Over three seasons with the Panamanian side, he developed into a first-team regular, showcasing the positional flexibility that has continued to define his game. The experience of competing at a high level in Central America prepared him for the next chapter of his career in Major League Soccer.
In August 2021, Rosales made the leap to MLS, joining Minnesota United on loan from Independiente. The move brought him to a league known for its athleticism and tactical variety, and he quickly adapted to the demands of the competition. His performances during the loan spell convinced the Minnesota organization to commit to him on a longer-term basis.
Minnesota United Breakthrough (2022–2025)
Rosales made 24 appearances during the 2022 MLS season, a workload that demonstrated his growing importance to the Minnesota United squad. At the conclusion of that campaign, Minnesota United signed Rosales to a one-year contract with club options for 2024 and 2025, formalizing his place in the first-team picture. He also spent time on loan with Minnesota United 2 during the 2022–2023 period, continuing his development within the club’s broader system.
For the 2024 season, Rosales became a starter as a left wingback, cementing his role in the starting eleven and contributing consistently across the campaign. His performances were rewarded in July 2024 when Minnesota United extended his contract, signaling long-term faith in his ability. The 2024 season marked the clearest statement yet that Rosales had arrived as a dependable MLS starter.
In 2025, Rosales began playing more games as a central midfielder following the emergence of defender Anthony Markanich, showcasing the tactical flexibility that has characterized his time in Minnesota. That same year, he received a three-match MLS ban for using discriminatory language against Emmanuel Sabbi of the Vancouver Whitecaps, a disciplinary incident that interrupted his season. At the end of the 2025 campaign, Minnesota United traded Rosales to Austin FC for $1.5 million in General Allocation Money, ending his time with the club.
Joseph Rosales Career Wins
Across his senior career with Independiente, Minnesota United, and now Austin FC, Rosales has built a reputation as a reliable contributor rather than a high-volume goal scorer. His value to his teams has consistently come from his versatility, defensive work rate, and ability to perform in multiple positions across the back line and midfield. As of his move to Austin FC, his most significant team-based milestones include establishing himself as an MLS starter and earning contract extensions with Minnesota United.
Minnesota United Highlights
Rosales’ most productive period came during his time with Minnesota United, where he evolved from a loan signing into a first-choice starter. His 24 appearances in the 2022 MLS season provided the foundation for a multi-year contract, while his conversion into a left wingback during the 2024 campaign represented the high point of his on-field influence. His departure via trade in 2025, valued at $1.5 million in General Allocation Money, underscored his importance to the organization.
Joseph Rosales Family
Personal Life
Joseph Rosales was born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, the country of his nationality and the starting point of his football journey. Public details about his parents, marital status, or children are not widely documented, and he has kept his personal life largely private. His move from Tegucigalpa to Panama in 2018, and later to the United States in 2021, reflects a career path that has taken him across multiple countries in North and Central America.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 MLS season represented a transitional year for Rosales at Minnesota United. Following the emergence of Anthony Markanich, he shifted from his established left wingback role into central midfield, demonstrating his tactical flexibility but also navigating the challenges of a new position. His season was further complicated by a three-match MLS suspension for using discriminatory language against Emmanuel Sabbi of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Despite the disciplinary setback, Rosales continued to feature regularly for Minnesota United throughout the campaign, providing versatility and experience in a squad undergoing positional adjustments. His contributions helped stabilize the team during a period of tactical change, even as competition for places intensified. The season ultimately ended with a major career development, as Minnesota United traded him to Austin FC for $1.5 million in General Allocation Money.
The trade to Austin FC opened a new chapter for Rosales heading into the 2026 MLS season. Joining a new organization offers him the opportunity to reset his role, contribute to a different locker room, and continue his development in Major League Soccer. His track record of positional flexibility and dependable performances suggests he will compete for minutes immediately upon his arrival in Austin.
