FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution have loaned forward Damian Rivera the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship.
He will wear #8 for the club.
Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Damian Rivera (8) walks up the field during a preseason match versus CF Montréal. © Andres Isaza
Damian Rivera, 21, has officially joined his 2nd professional club since his career debut in 2019. In November of 2019, the forward signed a Homegrown Player Contract with the New England Revolution after climbing the ranks of the Revolution Academy and their player pathway program.
His debut with the New England Revolution was for their USL League One club, the New England Revolution II on August 7th, 2020, against Orlando City B.
Midfielder Damian Rivera (99) looks to make a pass during a match versus Philadelphia Union II. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution II.
His first career MLS start came in a 2-0 victory over CF Inter Miami on April 30th of 2022. He managed to score in the first minute of the match and became only the third player in league history to score in the first minute of his first MLS start. New England went on to win the match 2-0.
In his first MLS start, Damian Rivera scores his first MLS goal! @NERevolution take the early lead. pic.twitter.com/WIHjixXyNU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 30, 2022
In his 5-year career, Damian has only played for the New England Revolution (2019-2024) across the first and second teams. He now joins his second professional club, the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship.
In his career for New England, Damian Rivera appeared in 81 matches (5,069 minutes) for the New England Revolution at both the first and second team levels. During that span, Rivera tallied 18 goals, registered 6 assists, and received 6 yellow cards.
Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Damian Rivera (8) looks to make a play during a preseason match versus CF Montréal. © Andres Isaza
Internationally, Rivera represents the Costa Rican National Team. As of February of 2024, Rivera has made 2 appearances for their U23 squad. He previously represented the U17 United States Youth National Team where he also made 2 appearances.
Forward Damian Rivera holds up the Costa Rican National Team jersey after switching allegiances in 2023. Image Courtesy of FCRF.
On February 17th, 2024, Rivera posted on his Instagram story that he had debuted with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a preseason match versus CF Montréal. The Rowdies went on to win 4-1 and Rivera scored during the match.
Damian Rivera essentially confirmed his departure from the New England Revolution (in some capacity) before the club or his new club (the Rowdies) announced the move.
Welcome to 2024. #NERevs | #USLChampionship | #MLS https://t.co/e0dejulWTD
— Caleb Pongratz (@CalebPongratz10) February 18, 2024
"We'll just keep building." ?
Rowdies Top CF Montreal in Preseason Meeting.
? #COYR
— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) February 18, 2024
The Tampa Bay Rowdies are continuing to prepare for the upcoming USL Championship campaign. Their first match of the season is on Saturday, March 16th. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN +.
Head Coach Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution have completed their preseason preparations and have shifted their sights on the Concacaf Champions League.
The New England Revolution will begin the 2024 campaign on the road as they head to Llano Marín, Coclé Province, Panama to face Club Atlético Independiente de La Chorrera (2-2-1, 8 pts. in LPF) in a Concacaf Champions Cup Match on Wednesday, February 21st. The match kicks off at Estadio Universitario F.C. at 8:00 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
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