Ronald Alexis Cerritos Bio
Ronald Alexis Cerritos Castañeda, commonly known as Alexis Cerritos, is an American professional footballer who plays as a winger in the lower divisions of American soccer. Born in California and raised in Maryland, he currently plays for AV Alta FC in USL League One and represents the El Salvador national team at the international level. A dual national from a young age, Cerritos has built a career in the United States lower divisions while earning caps for El Salvador.
Standing at 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), Cerritos has spent his professional years developing through several clubs in the United States soccer pyramid. His journey has included youth development with D.C. United, a brief spell abroad, and stints with multiple clubs in USL Championship, USL League One, and MLS Next Pro.
Early Life and Background
Ronald Alexis Cerritos Castañeda was born on October 2, 2000, in Santa Clarita, California. He was raised in Bowie, Maryland, where he grew up surrounded by the influence of professional soccer through his family. His father, Ronald Cerritos, was also a professional footballer who represented the El Salvador national team, giving the younger Cerritos an early and direct connection to the sport.
Growing up in Bowie provided Cerritos access to competitive youth soccer environments in the Mid-Atlantic region. The combination of his American upbringing and Salvadoran heritage through his father shaped his dual-national identity and opened the door to international opportunities. From an early age, he gravitated toward attacking play, eventually settling into the winger role that defines his professional profile.
Path to Soccer
Cerritos began his youth career with the D.C. United Academy in 2015, where he spent three years developing within one of Major League Soccer’s most established youth systems. In 2019, he also spent time in the youth setup of CF Pachuca in Mexico, broadening his technical foundation before transitioning to the senior ranks.
His path to the professional level was accelerated by his performances with El Salvador’s youth national teams. He featured for the El Salvador U17 side at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, where he scored his country’s only goal of the tournament. That international exposure, combined with his club academy training, set the stage for his professional debut.
Ronald Alexis Cerritos Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Cerritos turned professional with Loudoun United FC in 2019, joining the USL Championship side for the remainder of their season. The move marked his first entry into senior professional football in the United States, and it provided a platform to test himself against experienced professionals.
After his time with Loudoun United, Cerritos had a brief stint abroad with AD Oliveirense in Portugal. He returned to the United States in September 2020, signing with USL Championship side Orange County SC. However, he was released at the end of the 2020 season, prompting another move.
USL Championship Years (2021–2023)
In April 2021, Cerritos joined Rio Grande Valley FC of the USL Championship, continuing his development in the second tier of American soccer. The 2021 campaign gave him consistent minutes and allowed him to refine his attacking play on the wing.
Cerritos then signed with Central Valley Fuego FC, where he played from 2022 to 2023. During this stretch, he established himself as a regular contributor in the USL League One environment, building chemistry with teammates and demonstrating his ability to perform in a competitive league setting.
Recent Career (2024–Present)
In January 2024, Cerritos signed with Huntsville City FC, the MLS Next Pro affiliate of Major League Soccer’s New York City FC. The move represented a step into the broader MLS ecosystem and offered a different developmental framework.
Later in 2024, Cerritos joined Lexington SC, continuing his progression through the American lower divisions. In 2025, he signed with AV Alta FC of USL League One, where he currently plays wearing the number 11 jersey.
International Career
Cerritos debuted for the El Salvador senior national team in a friendly 1–0 win over Canada, becoming at 17 years and 6 days old the second youngest player to debut for El Salvador and the first player born in the 21st century to represent the country. He has continued to be part of El Salvador’s national team setup, complementing his club career with international duty.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a winger, Cerritos relies on pace, direct dribbling, and the ability to deliver service from wide areas. His experience across multiple U.S. leagues and a brief spell in Portugal has given him tactical versatility, allowing him to adapt to different systems and coaching philosophies.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Cerritos’ career came when he became the second youngest player ever to debut for the El Salvador national team. He also scored El Salvador’s only goal at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, underlining his ability to perform on significant youth international stages.
Ronald Alexis Cerritos Career Wins
Cerritos has accumulated experience across several clubs and competitions, including USL Championship, USL League One, MLS Next Pro, and international football with El Salvador.
Other Wins & Performances
Throughout his career, Cerritos has notched notable appearances for clubs such as Loudoun United, Orange County SC, Rio Grande Valley FC, Central Valley Fuego, Huntsville City FC, and Lexington SC. His senior international debut for El Salvador remains a career highlight, alongside his contributions at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship.
Ronald Alexis Cerritos Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Cerritos comes from a family with deep ties to professional soccer. His father, Ronald Cerritos, was a professional footballer who played for the El Salvador national team. This lineage provided young Alexis with both inspiration and a clear pathway into the sport, and it ultimately influenced his decision to represent El Salvador internationally.
Personal Life
Although born in Santa Clarita, California, Cerritos was raised in Bowie, Maryland. He holds American nationality by birth and Salvadoran heritage through his father, which has shaped his identity as a dual-national athlete competing in the United States and representing El Salvador.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Cerritos is playing for AV Alta FC in USL League One, wearing the number 11 jersey. The move to AV Alta represents an opportunity to take on a featured role within a competitive league environment, and he will look to build on the form he showed during his time at Lexington SC the previous year.
Throughout the 2025 season, Cerritos is expected to serve as a key attacking outlet for AV Alta, drawing on his experience across multiple U.S. leagues. His pace and ability to create chances from wide areas make him a valuable piece of the team’s offensive structure.
Beyond his club duties, Cerritos remains available for selection by the El Salvador national team, where he can continue to add to his caps and contribute to upcoming international fixtures.