HOUSTON - Spartan men’s soccer alum Gilberto Rivera has signed with Houston Dynamo 2 of the MLS NEXT PRO league for the 2026 season, the club announced on Saturday.
Rivera was drafted in the third round at pick number 88 overall, in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft to the Houston Dynamo this past December. Rivera became the eighth Spartan in history to be drafted in the MLS SuperDraft and joined current San Jose Earthquake Beau Leroux as the only Spartans to be drafted since 2003.
From the midfield for the Spartans, Rivera has played a vital role in the team’s success over the past three seasons, including leading the team to appearances in the WAC Tournament Championship game in 2024 and 2025.
This past season, Rivera was named First Team All-Far West Region, First Team All-WAC and was also named to the WAC All-Tournament Team. Rivera started in all 19 appearances, tallying two goals and eight assists.
Gilberto Rivera, Midfielder, Junior, Hayward, Calif.
- First Team All-Far West Region
- Named 2025 First Team All-WAC
- Placed on the 2024 and 2025 WAC All-Tournament Teams
- Recorded two goals and eight assists in the 2025 season
- Started in all 19 of his appearances in 2025 and played 1,648 minutes
- Had three goals and ten assists in his college career
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