Matthew Nierras

Matthew Erwin Thomas Dacanay Nierras (born February 6, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Philippines Football League club Stallion Laguna.

Personal life Nierras was born in San Mateo, California. His sister, Samantha, also plays club soccer for Stallion and is a former national team player. Alongside former La Salle teammate Gregory Yang, the two work for clothing company Cutz Apparel. He played college soccer for the team of De La Salle University and was co-captain in his final year, where La Salle reached the final after a long drought, losing late on to Far Eastern University, 3–2.

Stallion Laguna While playing for De La Salle University, he also suited up for United Football League club Stallion alongside La Salle teammate Nathaniel Alquiros. Due to the league's status being amateur, he was allowed to participate in both without complication. While playing for them in 2013, Stallion won the 2013 United Football League, the first and only in the club's history. In 2015, he took a break from the club to focus on his final UAAP season as a senior, returning to the club after. At the onset of the 2017 Philippines Football League, the first professional league in the country, he became a starter for the team and eventually became club captain,

International career Philippines Nierras was called up to the Philippine senior team multiple times, but has not had a senior cap yet. In 2018, he was called up to the Azkals squad for the 2018 Bangabandhu Cup in Bangladesh, but just before the tournament's start was ruled out of participation after suffering an ACL injury in a Copa match against the Davao Aguilas. In July 2022, he finally made it to the senior squad in a friendly 4–1 win against Timor-Leste, but remained on the bench.

Coaching career In 2022, Nierras took part in the PFF "C" Diploma Blended Course held in Carmona, Cavite, alongside Stephan Schröck, Marwin Angeles, Hikaru Minegishi, and Nathan Alquiros.