Damian Esau Rivera (born 8 December 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution.[3] Born in the United States, he represents Costa Rica at youth level.

Damian Rivera
Personal information
Full name Damian Esau Rivera[1]
Date of birth (2002-12-08) 8 December 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth Cranston, Rhode Island, United States
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Tampa Bay Rowdies
(on loan from New England Revolution II)
Number 8
Youth career
2016–2019 New England Revolution
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019– New England Revolution 17 (1)
2020–2023 New England Revolution II 52 (16)
2024–Tampa Bay Rowdies (loan) 34 (6)
International career
2019 United States U17 2 (0)
2023– Costa Rica U23 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:13, 8 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 00:27, 8 June 2023 (UTC)

Career

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New England Revolution

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In November 2019, Rivera signed a homegrown contract with the Revolution.[4] He made his professional debut with New England's USL League One affiliate on 7 August 2020 against Orlando City B.[5] In October of that season, Rivera scored his first professional goal, netting in the 83rd minute of a 4–0 victory over the Richmond Kickers.[6] He would finish his inaugural season with the club with two goals and an assist in 14 league appearances.[7]

On 30 April 2022, Rivera made his first MLS start, and subsequently scored his first MLS goal, in the Revolution's 2–0 win over Inter Miami CF. In the process he became only the third player in league history to score in the first minute of his first MLS start, and the first to do so since Real Salt Lake's Matias Mantilla on 29 August 2007.[8]

International career

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Born in the United States, Rivera is of Costa Rican and Guatemalan descent. He is a youth international for the United States, having represented the United States under-17s. He was called up to play for the Costa Rica under-23s at the 2023 Maurice Revello Tournament.[9]


Honours

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New England Revolution

References

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  1. ^ "2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup – Club roster: New England Revolution (USA)" (PDF). CONCACAF. 30 January 2024. p. 18. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Damian Rivera". New England Revolution. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  3. ^ "USA – D. Rivera – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Revolution Sign Midfielder Damian Rivera as a Homegrown Player". revolutionsoccer.net. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  5. ^ "New England II vs. Orlando City B – 8 August 2020 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Richmond Kickers vs. New England Revolution II – 4 October 2020 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Damian Rivera growing more confident in second USL League One season". thebentmusket.com. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Recap: New England Revolution 2, Inter Miami CF 0". 30 April 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Costa Rica squad for the 2023 Maurice Revello Tournament".
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