By: Alex Kline, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
POMONA, Calif. – Former Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer captain, Cesar Ruvalcaba, made his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut on Saturday, playing 73 minutes for the Columbus Crew. The former four-year Bronco took one shot and had a 94.6 percent accurate pass percentage in the 0-0 draw, as the Crew went scoreless against New York City FC at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
Ruvalcaba was selected 51
st overall in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft back in December, the highest pick for the Crew in the draft. It was also the first time a current or former CPP player under head coach
Matt O'Sullivan had been taken in the MLS Draft.
"We are delighted for Cesar on his journey into the highest level of professional soccer in the United States. He thoroughly deserves the opportunity," said O'Sullivan. "He's a player that every one on our current squad and incoming players can look up to, and not just see the destination, but also his tireless work ethic along the journey. He redshirted for us as a freshman and then became a two-time All-American just a few years later. It's a great story of what you can accomplish if you work hard, have a clear vision, and strive every day to get there."
Ruvalcaba played in a total of 63 games while at Cal Poly Pomona from 2019-2023, before graduating from CPP and playing the 2024 season as a graduate student at Southern Methodist University in the ACC. A 2019 graduate of Downey High School, Ruvalcaba did not appear in any games for the Broncos until the 2021 season. However, as a redshirt freshman in 2021, he made an immediate impact, logging a career-high 2,070 minutes on the pitch, while also contributing to nine clean sheets as a defender.
As a redshirt sophomore and redshirt junior in 2022 and 2023, Ruvalcaba was named team captain, leading Cal Poly Pomona to a combined 25-5-11 (.744) record in those seasons. He is one of the more decorated players in program history, being named a three-time All-CCAA First Team honoree, two-time United Soccer Coaches All-West Region honoree, and back-to-back United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American.
While wearing the Green & Gold, Ruvalcaba played in a total 5,424 minutes with three goals, seven assists, contributing to 28 shutouts, and the Broncos outscoring opponents 140-60 in matches he appeared in.
Ruvalcaba stayed in the horse-family after graduating from CPP, going from a Bronco to a Mustang at Southern Methodist University for the 2024 season. He once again made an instant impact, leading SMU's defensive line to seven clean sheets while scoring one goal for SMU. The nationally-ranked Mustangs went an impressive 12-3-6 in Ruvalcaba's lone season, falling to eventual national runner-up Marshall in the Elite Eight.
"We know he will continue to dedicate himself," concluded O'Sullivan, "and with some luck staying healthy and continuing to take his opportunities, we hope he has a prosperous career ahead."
