Minnesota United forward Christian Ramirez closed out the 2017 season with his 125th appearance for the club since joining the Loons back in 2014. Ever since then, all he’s done is score. And score and score.
But to get where he is today, he’s had to fight through questions about the level of his play throughout his career. At each turn, he’s had to answer questions: Will he be able to produce at this level? Will he able to come through when it matters most? Is he a starting caliber player?
With Ramirez, the answer has always been yes.
He was forced into the starting role just weeks ahead of the 2014 campaign, when fellow forward Pablo Campos suffered an injury that would sideline him for almost the entire year. All eyes were on Ramirez in the season opener against the San Antonio Scorpions as everyone waited to see if he could be the offensive option the club needed. He provided his answer just 17 minutes into the season.
That skillful settle and lightning-quick finish was just a taste of things to come from Superman. He went on to tie an NASL record with 20 goals in the regular season during his first year with MNUFC.
Ramirez’s consistent presence in the lineup was a decisive factor in the Loons’ success as he was always renting space in the minds of opposing defenders. He made 92 consecutive appearances across all competitions for MNUFC from that first match against San Antonio through late 2016 when an injury forced him out of the lineup. This gave him plenty of chances to score, but also created space for his teammates to get in on the action as he drew defenders in and opened up holes in the opposition.
During his NASL tenure, Ramirez racked up three Best XI awards, two Golden Boots, a Young Player of the Year award and the 2014 Goal of the Year. He also became the first player in club history to cross the 50-goal mark, closing out his NASL account with 51 in 90 appearances.
He also found success in the Open Cup, having appeared in five matches during the NASL era. He scored a match-winner against Des Moines Menace in 2014 and converted a penalty to send a 2016 meeting with Sporting Kansas City to extra time.
Ramirez stayed with the club as it made its transition to MLS. Even with offers from several Liga MX teams on the table, Superman elected to stay with his adopted home club. Once again, the questions about his ability to perform began to surface. People wondered if he would even fit into the roster at all.
Once again, Superman answered. This time, in just 10 minutes.
He has found success in MLS, with 14 goals in 30 appearances during the club’s inaugural season in the league, the second-highest total for an American-born player behind Jozy Altidore’s 15. Even more impressively, all of Ramirez’s have come from the run of play. He’s received recognition in league awards as well, with two Team of the Week honors and nominations for MLS MVP and Newcomer of the Year.
Four seasons, 125 appearances and 67 goals later, there is no doubt Ramirez has earned the title of Superman.
