Cesar Ruvalcaba

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ruvalcaba and the second or maternal family name is Perez.

Cesar Ruvalcaba Perez (born July 13, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew.

Cesar Ruvalcaba

Personal information
Full name	Cesar Ruvalcaba Perez
Date of birth	(2001-07-13) July 13, 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth	South Gate, California, United States
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Columbus Crew
Number	48
Youth career
2016–2017	Downey FC United
2017–2019	Strikers FC
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2023	Cal Poly Pomona Broncos	63	(3)
2024	SMU Mustangs	14	(4)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022	Thunder Bay Chill	11	(0)
2023–2024	Redlands FC	15	(3)
2025	Columbus Crew 2	2	(0)
2025	→ Columbus Crew (loan)	1	(0)
2025–	Columbus Crew	7	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 May 2025

Youth and college career

Ruvalcaba played soccer for Downey High School, while also playing club soccer for Downey FC United and Strikers FC.^[1][2] He began his college soccer career in 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona, though he did not make any appearances during his first two seasons. He made his debut in the 2021 season and became a mainstay in the Broncos’ defense, appearing in all but one game the rest of his time in California, making 62 starts in 63 appearances and recording three goals and seven assists across all competitions. Ruvalcaba was named team captain in both 2022 and 2023, and earned several individual honors, including three All-CCAA First Team selections, two United Soccer Coaches All-West Region nods, and back-to-back United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American honors. In 2023, he was named the CCAA Defender of the Year and led Cal Poly Pomona to an NCAA Division II Tournament appearance, scoring twice in a second-round win over Cal State Monterey Bay.

Following his graduation from Cal Poly Pomona, Ruvalcaba transferred to Southern Methodist University as a graduate student for the 2024 season. At SMU, he started all 14 matches he appeared in, scoring four goals and providing seven assists.^[3][4][5]

Club career

After being drafted by the Columbus Crew in the 2nd round of the 2025 SuperDraft, Ruvalcaba signed with the second team on March 5, 2025. While on loan with the first team, Ruvalcaba made his Major League Soccer debut on March 22, starting in an eventual 0–0 tie versus New York City FC. He signed with the first team three days later, and started the following match in a 2–1 victory at D.C. United.^[3]

Style of play

Ruvalcaba has been noted for his high work ethic.^[3][5]

Career statistics

As of match played May 1, 2025^[6][7][8]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Thunder Bay Chill	2022	USL League Two	11	0	—		—		—		11	0
Redlands FC	2023	USL League Two	6	1	—		—		—		6	1
	2024	USL League Two	9	2	—		—		—		9	2
	Total		15	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	3
Columbus Crew 2	2025	MLS Next Pro	1	0	0	0	—		0	0	1	0
Columbus Crew (loan)	2025	Major League Soccer	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Columbus Crew	2025	Major League Soccer	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
	Total		4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Career total			31	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	31	3