The academy system at Red Bull has produced many players that have gone to Europe or even played in the MLS. But it also has supplied the NCAA with players every year and this year is no different. Red Bull II midfielder Erick Ruiz has committed to play soccer at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ.
Ruiz, an 18-year-old Colombian-American midfielder, has played in the Red Bull system since 2016 when he moved from the legendary Newark soccer club, Ironbound Soccer Club. Since, Erick has represented Red Bulls at every level of their player development pyramid, while wearing the captain’s armband at each level, including at Red Bull II.
When Erick was first called up to the second team, he was set to make history for the entire Red Bull organization. With his appearance against Memphis 901 last August, Erick became the first Pre-Academy graduate to represent Red Bull II.
This means that Erick became the first youth player to play exclusively with Red Bull from such a young age and go on to feature with Red Bull II. With the IIs, Erick has made 26 career appearances (1,401′) for the club in both USL and MLS Next PRO before making the decision to go play in the NCAA.
Here’s what Simon Barrow, Senior Manager of Player Development at the Red Bull Academy, had to say about Erick:
“Erick’s attributes were different from his peers, even at an early age. He already had the mindset of a young professional, demonstrating all the qualities we look for in our players. He was humble, hardworking, and committed to improving those around him, which is why he frequently wore the captain’s armband for us. It’s no surprise to see that continued throughout his time with the Academy.”
The academy product would then go on to be a critical member of the core in the midfield for coach Ibrahim Sekgaya the rest of the season for the IIs. With his performances as a 17-year-old player in USL last season, you would have expected Red Bull to offer Erick a professional contract, either a Homegrown or a Red Bull II deal.
However, that was not the case. Per source, Erick Ruiz was never offered or even approached by the Red Bull front office about signing a professional deal to stay with the club.
With a professional deal never offered, Ruiz and his family surveyed all his options, ultimately choosing the NCAA route by committing to Rutgers University in his backyard. Close to home, now Erick will be able to continue to play in front of his family, as he has through the Red Bull Academy and at Red Bull II. It’s also a big opportunity for Erick to get a full ride to a D1 school and get a degree to help set himself up post his soccer career.
Last season, Rutgers was a formidable team in the Big 10, finishing with an overall record of 10-5-6 and a conference record of 4-2-2. In the Big 10 tournament, Rutgers would run the table, defeating Wisconsin, Ohio St., and Indiana on their way to becoming Big 10 Champions and a birth into the NCAA Tournament.
Heading into this season, Erick will have some familiar faces in the locker room. Former Red Bull Academy products Joey Zalinsky and Matthew Acosta are both starters for the Scarlet Knights. That familiarity will also help Erick settle in on campus, knowing that he has some Red Bull blood on Jim McElderry’s team in Piscataway, NJ.
If everything pans out right for Erick at Rutgers, Red Bull could still be his ultimate destination once he decides to turn pro. Red Bull will continue to hold Erick Ruiz’s MLS rights unless he declares for the MLS Draft in a few years’ time.
For now Red Bull is losing a very talented, but more important, leader on and off the pitch. Good luck to Erick in his time at Rutgers; we’ll all be watching from afar!
*All photos via the Ruiz family*
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