PAPILLION, Neb. (Wednesday, August 11, 2021) – Union Omaha announced today that Puerto Rican National team player Ricardo (Ricky) Rivera has signed with the club for its 2021 campaign.
“Ricky has shown a great attitude since he has been with us,” said Head Coach Jay Mims. “He has good movement, is brave, and brings a positive energy to the team. He has a good soccer IQ, is eager to learn and I am excited to see him develop here.”
Rivera joins the club from Villamarxant CF, part of Spain’s fifth-tier Tercera División. He has also recently featured in the Caparra FC beach soccer team in his native Puerto Rico. Rivera received his first international call-up in 2012, joining the Puerto Rico squad at the age of 15 for the U-17 World Cup Qualifying campaign. He has scored four times for the senior national team since making his debut in 2016, including goals in Olympic and World Cup qualification matches.
“What made me want to try out for the club is the high quality of players in the team and the performance in past games,” said Rivera. “I feel very happy to be part of Los Búhos and I want the fans to know that I will give it my all to contribute to the team’s winning record.”
Phonetic pronunciation of last name: [REE-VEH-RAH]
Position: Forward
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 180 lbs
Born: USA
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
ABOUT UNION OMAHA
Union Omaha, a member of USL League One, is the only professional soccer team in the state of Nebraska. USL League One is a United States Soccer Federation-sanctioned professional men’s soccer league that occupies the third tier of the American soccer landscape, below USL Championship (tier two) and Major League Soccer (tier one). Union Omaha plays its home matches at Werner Park in Sarpy County, also home to the Omaha Storm Chasers of Minor League Baseball. The team is led by General Manager Peter Marlette in the front office and by Head Coach Jay Mims on the field.
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