Christian Ramirez entered 2017 with an unimpeachable record, but an uncertain future. The striker didnāt know if heād spend his next season in Minnesota or Mexico, and wasnāt sure how his game would translate from American soccerās lower levels to MLS or Liga MX.
His critics had questions, too. Plenty of people wondered if Ramirez, who played at a small NAIA college and split his first four pro seasons between USL and NASL, was the sort of player talented enough to do serious damage in the lower divisions, but not quite good enough to make an impact in the top flight.
Ten months later, and there are no longer many doubts about the 26-year-old forward.
Ramirez has perhaps been the brightest spot in Minnesotaās difficult expansion season. Heās scored 14 goals in 29 regular season appearances with the Loons, tied with Jozy Altidore and CJ Sapong for the most goals by an American in MLS. Heāll look to claim the lead for himself on Sunday, when Minnesota close their inaugural season in the league with a Decision Day presented by AT&Tclash at San Jose (4 pm ET; MLS LIVE).
āEver since I transferred from UC-Santa Barbara to a little NAIA school, I always knew the road here would be difficult,ā Ramirez told MLSsoccer.com in a recent interview. āIām just thankful to be able to have played in the league this year, to continue to make strives forward and continue to prove to myself and to others that I can score goals in MLS.ā
Itās been a ārollercoasterā season for Ramirez, but heās used to a bit of professional turmoil.
This time last year, he didnāt know if heād make the jump with Minnesota to MLS. He won the NASL Golden Boot in 2014 and 2015 with the club, but hadnāt yet agreed to an MLS deal and had interest from Mexico. He said four Liga MX sides ended up offering him contracts, with two of those teams āvery seriousā about acquiring him.
The Southern California native came to the brink of joining one of them. He said heād made up his mind while on his honeymoon to sign with one of the Mexican teams, but he gave Minnesota 12 hours to hit a salary number that he had in mind. He went to sleep not knowing if the Loons would come through. By the time he woke up, theyād hit his number. He signed on to stay in the Twin Cities soon after.
āI had a number in mind that I would stay for in Minnesota, just because I believe in this state and the project that ownership and the front office and coaching staff have,ā he said. āIāve grown so close to the city that I wanted to make sure I left a window open for it.
āLuckily [technical director] Manny [Lagos] and ownership worked it out and it worked out for both parties.ā
Things were decidedly not working out for Minnesota at the beginning of the season. The Loons had well-documented struggles to start the campaign and Ramirez began the season as a substitute. He quickly worked his way into the lineup and Minnesota, after some midseason maneuvering, pulled things together in the second half.
Now, theyāre both looking toward 2018. For Ramirez, the year could start with a call to the US national teamās annual January camp, which will likely feature a multitude of new faces following the USMNTās failure to qualify for the World Cup. Heās never heard from US Soccer, however, and said heās mostly focused on making sure Minnesota on their expansion season.
āItās been a wild year to be a part of,ā he said. āEvery step, from those 6-1, 5-1 losses at the start, to the midseason trade that switches the whole feeling of the team around, to the summer window additions that continue to fit in, to me going down on an injury for six or seven weeks and seeing stuff from the outside looking in and battling my way back into the lineup, itās all been crazy. You just canāt help but to be so thankful to be able to be a part of this journey so far, and Iām excited to see how itās continuing to go upward.ā