Rónald Matarrita


Rónald Alberto Matarrita Ulate is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Liga FPD club Alajuelense and the Costa Rica national team.

Club career

New York City FC

Matarrita was signed to New York City FC from Alajuelense on 20 January 2016 for an undisclosed fee. Matarrita made his MLS debut against the Chicago Fire on 6 March 2016. He scored his first goal for New York City during a 2–0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC on 25 June 2016. After a strong first season, he was named New York City's Defensive Player of the Year for 2016.

FC Cincinnati

On 29 December 2020, Matarrita was traded to FC Cincinnati in exchange for $500,000 of General Allocation Money. He was released by Cincinnati following their 2022 season.

Aris

On 20 June 2023, Matarrita joined Super League Greece club Aris on a three-year contract.

International career

Matarrita has represented Costa Rica at under-17, under-20, under-22, and senior levels. He made his senior debut on 5 September 2015 in a friendly against Brazil. He scored his first goal for Costa Rica 6 September 2016, in a 3–1 win over Panama, in a 2018 [FIFA World Cup qualification – CONCACAF fourth round|World Cup qualification] match. Matarrita was called up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but was ruled out of the tournament three days before Costa Rica's debut due to a harmstring injury.

Career statistics

Club

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
16 September 2016Estadio Nacional, San José, Costa Rica3–03–12018 [FIFA World Cup qualification – CONCACAF fourth round|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]
211 November 2016Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago2–02–0World Cup qualification – CONCACAF fifth round|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]
316 November 2018Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua, Chile3–03–2Friendly

Personal

Matarrita earned his U.S. green card in March 2017. This status also qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.

Honours

Alajuelense
Individual