Ricardo Jérez Bio
Ricardo Antonio Jérez Figueroa (born 4 February 1986) is a Guatemalan professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for USL League One club Chattanooga Red Wolves. Standing 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) tall, he has built a long career across Guatemala, Uruguay, Argentina, and Colombia, establishing himself as one of the most experienced goalkeepers from his country. He wears the number 12 shirt for Chattanooga Red Wolves and continues to be an active presence between the posts.
Over the course of his career, Jérez has represented clubs in multiple leagues and has been a regular member of the Guatemala national team setup. His journey from the youth ranks of CSD Comunicaciones to professional football abroad illustrates a steady climb built on consistency, durability, and a strong command of the penalty area.
Early Life and Background
Ricardo Antonio Jérez Figueroa was born on 4 February 1986 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Growing up in the capital, he was surrounded by professional football from an early age, and the city’s competitive club scene shaped his early development. His height and athletic frame made the goalkeeper position a natural fit as he progressed through local youth football.
Jérez is the son of the former Guatemala national team goalkeeper Ricardo Jérez, who represented his country at the 1988 Summer Olympics. That family connection gave him an early understanding of the demands of the position and the discipline required to succeed at the highest level. He came through the youth ranks of CSD Comunicaciones, one of Guatemala’s most successful clubs, where he refined his shot-stopping and distribution skills.
Path to Professional Soccer
Jérez made the move from Comunicaciones’ youth system into senior football when he joined Cobán Imperial in 2005, beginning a professional path that has continued for two decades. After a season at Cobán Imperial, he transferred to C.S.D. Municipal for the 2006–2007 campaign, gaining top-flight experience in Guatemalan football. He returned to Comunicaciones for the 2007–2008 season, further sharpening his game in the Liga Nacional de Guatemala.
In early August 2008, Jérez traveled to Uruguay to trial with Peñarol, but he was not offered a contract. He remained in the country and signed with Rentistas of the Uruguayan Segunda División, where he made his debut on 13 September 2008 against Cerrito, saving a penalty and being named man of the match. He returned to Guatemala in September 2009 to play for Deportivo Jalapa, and in the summer of 2010 he joined Club Comunicaciones in Argentina, though document issues kept him from making appearances. He later played for USAC in Guatemala before joining Deportivo Marquense in mid-2011.
Ricardo Jérez Career
Early Career (2005–2012)
During his early years, Jérez developed a reputation for consistency and reflexes. At Deportivo Marquense, between the playoffs of the 2011 Apertura and the 2012 Clausura tournaments, he set a new CONCACAF club record with 941 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal. That streak was eventually ended by Eliseo Quintanilla of Municipal and remains one of the defining statistical achievements of his early career.
His spells at Cobán Imperial, Municipal, Comunicaciones, Jalapa, and Marquense allowed him to adapt to different tactical systems and pressure environments. These formative years laid the foundation for the most extended chapter of his career, which would come in Colombia.
Alianza Petrolera Era (2013–2021)
Jérez joined Alianza Petrolera in January 2013, becoming the only non-domestic player in the squad at the time. He recorded a clean sheet in his first league match in Colombia, a 1–0 win against La Equidad on 8 January 2013, and quickly became a central figure for the club. In October 2013, Alianza Petrolera extended his contract through the 2016 season, signaling his growing importance to the team.
During his long tenure in Colombia, Jérez was widely regarded as an important figure in the club’s success. He became the first player to appear in at least 100 matches in the top division for Alianza Petrolera, underscoring his durability and consistency. In 2017, he was loaned to Deportivo Cali, gaining further top-level experience in Colombian football before returning to Alianza Petrolera.
Return to Municipal (2021–2023)
After nearly a decade in Colombia, Jérez returned to Guatemalan football in 2021, re-joining C.S.D. Municipal. His experience and leadership provided stability in goal for one of Guatemala’s most decorated clubs. He spent two seasons with Municipal before making the move to American soccer.
Chattanooga Red Wolves Era (2023–Present)
Jérez signed with USL League One club Chattanooga Red Wolves on 10 January 2023, embarking on a new chapter in his career in the United States. His arrival brought international experience and a veteran presence to the squad. Wearing the number 12 shirt, he has continued to add to one of the longest active careers among Guatemalan goalkeepers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jérez made his debut for the Guatemala national team in a January 2006 friendly match against the United States. He went on to represent his country in two FIFA World Cup qualification processes and at the 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup. In 2008, he was selected for the Guatemala U-23 squad for the 2008 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying tournament. He played in all of his team’s matches at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup and was the starting goalkeeper for Guatemala in 11 of the team’s 12 matches during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. His 941-minute clean-sheet streak at Marquense stands as a CONCACAF club record.
Ricardo Jérez Career Highlights
Club Highlights
Across his club career, Jérez has accumulated appearances for Cobán Imperial, Municipal, Comunicaciones, Rentistas, Jalapa, Club Comunicaciones, USAC, Marquense, Alianza Petrolera, Deportivo Cali, and Chattanooga Red Wolves. His most successful period came at Alianza Petrolera, where he surpassed 100 appearances in Colombia’s top division and became a key figure in the club’s rise. His early-career record-setting clean-sheet streak at Marquense is one of the most celebrated achievements of his time in Guatemala.
International Highlights
Jérez debuted internationally in 2006 and has gone on to represent Guatemala in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the UNCAF Nations Cup, and CONCACAF Olympic qualifying. His longevity with the national team has made him one of the more recognizable Guatemalan goalkeepers of his generation.
Ricardo Jérez Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Ricardo Jérez is the son of the former Guatemala national team goalkeeper Ricardo Jérez, who played for his country at the 1988 Summer Olympics. That direct link to a senior international career helped shape Jérez’s understanding of the demands of the position and contributed to his smooth transition into professional football.
Personal Life
Jérez was born and raised in Guatemala City and has spent much of his adult life traveling between Guatemala, South America, and the United States for his club career. He is widely known by his family name in Guatemalan football circles and continues to be active professionally.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Ricardo Jérez remains with Chattanooga Red Wolves in USL League One, where he brings nearly two decades of professional experience to the squad. As one of the older players in the league, his role centers on leadership, organization of the back line, and providing a steady presence in goal. His familiarity with American soccer, developed since his 2023 arrival, positions him as a key figure for the club’s campaign.
The 2025 season is expected to showcase his continued durability and shot-stopping ability, qualities that have defined his career from Guatemala to Colombia to the United States. Chattanooga Red Wolves will look to Jérez to mentor younger goalkeepers while delivering the kind of consistent performances that have marked his time in the sport. With his contract running and his form holding steady, Jérez is well placed to contribute meaningfully to the team’s ambitions in the year ahead.