Nicolás Cardona

Nicolás Javier Cardona Ruiz (born February 11, 1999) is a Puerto Rican footballer who currently plays as a defender for Miami FC in the USL Championship.

Nicolás Cardona

Nicolas Cardona with Hartford Athletic Supporters Cardona with Hartford Athletic supporters in 2021
Personal information
Full name	Nicolás Javier Cardona Ruiz
Date of birth	(1999-02-11) February 11, 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth	San Juan, Puerto Rico
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position	Defender
Team information
Current team	Miami FC
Number	4
Youth career
	GPS Conquistadores de Guaynabo
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2019	Assumption Greyhounds	33	(2)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020	Almenara Atlètic	8	(0)
2020–2021	UB Conquense	0	(0)
2021	Hartford Athletic	21	(1)
2022–2023	Chattanooga Red Wolves	61	(5)
2024–	Miami FC	29	(0)
International career‡
2018	Puerto Rico U20	5	(0)
2021–	Puerto Rico	17	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 31, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals as of June 11, 2024

International career

Cardona made his international debut for Puerto Rico in a 1–0 win over the Dominican Republic.^[1] He had previously played in friendlies with the team including a match against his future club, Hartford Athletic in 2019.^[2] On June 1, 2021, Cardona was named as captain for Puerto Rico in the team's 7–0 win over the Bahamas during 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.^[3]

Club career

Cardona signed with USL Championship team Hartford Athletic on February 22, 2021. He had previously spent time with the U23 team of Spanish club UB Conquense.^[2] Cardona scored his first professional goal on June 19, 2021 when he scored the go ahead goal in Hartford's 2–1 win over Loudoun United in the 94th minute.^[4]

On February 22, 2022, Cardona signed with USL League One club Chattanooga Red Wolves.^[5]

Cardona joined Miami FC on the USL Championship on December 18, 2023.^[6]