SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has signed Mexican winger Carlos Fierro using Targeted Allocation Money, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC. Fierro made 64 appearances under current Earthquakes head coach Matias Almeyda (2015-18) and 11 under Quakes assistant coach Benjamin Galindo (2013) while competing for Chivas de Guadalajara.
“I know Carlos from my time at Chivas,” said Almeyda. “I know him as a person and as a professional. I know he can help us a lot with his style of play. He’s a player that I can use in various positions. I thank the club and the effort they made to be able to buy him. Hopefully he does a great job, which is what everyone hopes for.”
Fierro, 24, has been a part of several trophy-winning teams in his native Mexico, helping his former clubs claim a trio of Copa MX titles (2015, 2016, 2017) and one Liga MX championship (2017).
In addition to club success, Fierro was also a key part of Mexico’s recent international dominance at the youth level. He has represented his nation of birth at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels, scoring four goals in 14 total appearances. He was a key player for Mexico at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where they earned a perfect 7-0-0 record and became the first host nation to win the championship. Fierro scored twice in the Group Stage, the game-winning goal in the Round of 16 and the game-winning goal in the Quarterfinals to earn the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third most outstanding player. He later helped Mexico win the 2013 Concacaf U-20 Championship with an unblemished 6-0-0 record, including a 3-1 victory over the United States in the Final.
Fierro most recently played for Monarcas Morelia of Mexico’s Liga MX on loan from Cruz Azul. During his one year with the club, he tallied one goal and four assists in 32 appearances across Liga MX and Copa MX competitions.
A native of Guadalajara, Fierro originally joined the Chivas youth academy in 2008, later making his First Team debut in August of 2011 at 17 years old. During his first professional season, Apertura 2011, he was the club’s most often used substitute. Fierro made 135 appearances for Chivas between 2011-15, tallying 11 goals and 13 assists and helping the club win the Apertura 2015 Copa MX Final two months after Almeyda’s arrival.
“We are excited to welcome Carlos to the team as we prepare to take on the second half of the season,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “We felt strongly about reinforcing the squad with a player of his skill, work rate and versatility in attacking positions.”
Fierro spent the entire 2016 calendar year on loan with Mexico’s Queretaro FC, recording two goals and an assist in 25 appearances. He also started and played 64 minutes in the Apertura 2016 Copa MX Final, helping Queretaro to a penalty shootout victory over his parent club Chivas.
Fierro returned to Chivas in January 2017 and helped spark the team’s run to both the Clausura 2017 Liga MX title and Clausura 2017 Copa MX title, his third domestic cup championship in as many years. After 50 appearances, six goals and three assists in his second stint with Chivas, he was transferred to Cruz Azul in January of 2018 for a reported $2.8 million. He totaled one goal and one assist in 17 appearances during the first half of 2018 before being loaned to Monarcas Morelia in July.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes sign Mexican MCarlos Fierro using Targeted Allocation Money.
Carlos Fierro
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 146 lbs.
Born: July 24, 1994
Preferred Foot: Right
Hometown: Ahome, Sinaloa, Mexico
Last Club: Cruz Azul (Mexico)
College: N/A
Roster Designation: International
