Cesar Ruvalcaba

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.

Youth and college career Ruvalcaba played soccer for Downey High School, while also playing club soccer for Downey FC United and Strikers FC. 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.

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.

Style of play Ruvalcaba has been noted for his high work ethic.