Andrés Reyes Bio
Andrés Felipe Reyes Ambuila (born 8 September 1999) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club San Diego FC. Standing at 191 centimetres, the centre-back combines physical presence with composure on the ball, attributes that have shaped his development across South American and North American football. Reyes turned professional in 2018 and has since become recognised for his aerial ability, reading of the game, and contributions in both defensive phases and attacking set pieces.
After beginning his career at one of Colombia’s most decorated clubs, Reyes transitioned to Major League Soccer in 2020. He spent several seasons with the New York Red Bulls before joining San Diego FC as a foundational signing for the expansion club’s first MLS campaign.
Early Life and Background
Andrés Felipe Reyes Ambuila was born on 8 September 1999 in Puerto Tejada, a municipality in the Cauca department of Colombia. Puerto Tejada has produced several notable footballers, and the local football culture played a significant role in shaping Reyes’s early interest in the sport. Growing up in this environment, Reyes was exposed to competitive football from a young age, eventually joining the youth ranks of Atlético Nacional in Medellín.
At Atlético Nacional’s academy, Reyes developed the technical and tactical foundations that would define his professional career. The club’s structured youth programme is widely regarded as one of the strongest in Colombia, and it provided Reyes with high-level coaching, competitive matches, and a clear pathway to the senior team. His progress through the academy reflected both his physical attributes and his disciplined approach to training.
Path to Professional Football
Reyes’s path to professional football accelerated within Atlético Nacional’s academy, where consistent performances earned him a place in the first team. He made his senior debut on 27 October 2018 in a 2–0 loss against Once Caldas, marking the beginning of his top-flight career at the age of 19. The following year, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 victory against Unión Magdalena, demonstrating his ability to contribute in the attacking third from defensive positions.
In February 2020, Major League Soccer expansion side Inter Miami CF acquired Reyes on a year-long loan for their inaugural season. The move represented a significant step in his career, providing exposure to a new league and a new footballing culture. Although his time at Inter Miami was interrupted by a facial fracture suffered against the Philadelphia Union, the experience helped him adapt to the demands of North American football and prepared him for subsequent opportunities in MLS.
Andrés Reyes Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Reyes began his senior career with Atlético Nacional in 2018, breaking into a squad that regularly competed in the Copa Libertadores. His debut against Once Caldas signalled the trust the coaching staff placed in his development, and appearances in the following campaign allowed him to accumulate valuable experience at the highest level of Colombian football.
During the 2019 season, Reyes continued to feature for Atlético Nacional and recorded his first senior goal in a 3–1 win against Unión Magdalena. His performances throughout this period also caught the attention of Colombia’s youth national team coaches, and he was later named to the squad for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Inter Miami Era (2020)
Reyes joined Inter Miami CF on loan in February 2020 ahead of the club’s first-ever MLS season. He made his debut on 7 March 2020, starting in a 2–1 defeat to D.C. United. The opportunity to play for a brand-new franchise gave Reyes a platform to showcase his abilities on an international stage, even as the season was shaped by unique circumstances.
His campaign was interrupted by a facial fracture sustained against the Philadelphia Union, causing him to miss approximately one month of action. Despite the setback, Reyes appeared in 13 matches for Inter Miami during the 2020 season. In December 2020, the club announced it would not exercise its purchase option, returning Reyes to Atlético Nacional before his next move.
New York Red Bulls Era (2021–2024)
On 19 January 2021, Reyes signed permanently with the New York Red Bulls, returning to Major League Soccer on a long-term deal. He made an immediate impact on 22 May 2021, scoring the opening goal against the New England Revolution in a 3–1 loss, a match in which he also received two yellow cards and was sent off before half-time. He added a second goal later that season in another 3–2 defeat to New England on 23 June 2021, and assisted Cristian Cásseres Jr. in a 1–0 Hudson River Derby win over New York City FC on 17 October 2021.
Reyes entered the 2023 season as a regular starter and continued to demonstrate his attacking threat from set pieces. On 11 March 2023, he scored the equaliser in a 1–1 draw at Minnesota United, and on 20 May 2023, he opened the scoring in a 2–1 victory over CF Montréal. In 2024, Reyes scored his first goal of the season on 29 May in a 3–1 win against Charlotte FC, before producing one of the defining moments of his Red Bulls tenure on 30 November 2024, heading in the lone goal in a 1–0 playoff victory over Orlando City SC that sent New York to MLS Cup 2024.
San Diego FC Era (2025–Present)
On 12 December 2024, San Diego FC acquired Reyes from the New York Red Bulls in exchange for $800,000 in General Allocation Money, split across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with New York retaining a sell-on fee. The transfer made Reyes one of the early cornerstone signings for the expansion franchise ahead of its debut MLS season. His experience in the league and his leadership qualities positioned him as a key figure in the club’s build-up.
Reyes joined San Diego FC ahead of the 2025 campaign, bringing with him a résumé that includes top-flight experience in Colombia, a loan spell in MLS, and four seasons with the New York Red Bulls. His role within the squad reflects both his defensive capabilities and his growing reputation as a reliable contributor in decisive moments.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reyes is recognised for his aerial dominance, timing in duels, and comfort operating as a left-footed centre-back. His height of 191 centimetres enhances his effectiveness in both boxes, particularly on set pieces, where he has produced several important goals for the Red Bulls. He combines physical defending with composure in possession, allowing him to step into midfield and initiate play from the back.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Reyes’s most memorable career moments is his 30 November 2024 header against Orlando City SC that sent the New York Red Bulls to MLS Cup 2024. His debut goal for the Red Bulls in 2021, his contributions in the Hudson River Derby, and his appearances for Colombia at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup all stand as significant milestones in his professional journey.
Andrés Reyes Career Wins
Reyes has accumulated valuable experience across the Colombian top flight, Major League Soccer, and international youth football. While detailed win totals across each competition are not fully verified, his career includes notable victories with Atlético Nacional, contributions to postseason runs with the New York Red Bulls, and a strong record of appearances since turning professional in 2018.
Major League Soccer Highlights
In MLS, Reyes has recorded multiple goals and assists across his time with Inter Miami, the New York Red Bulls, and now San Diego FC. His most significant MLS moment came with the header that sent the Red Bulls to MLS Cup 2024, a performance that underlined his value in high-pressure matches. Regular-season goals against New England Revolution, Minnesota United, CF Montréal, and Charlotte FC have all added to his growing résumé in the league.
Andrés Reyes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Andrés Felipe Reyes Ambuila’s family background is limited. He was raised in Puerto Tejada, Colombia, a region with a strong tradition of producing professional footballers, and his early footballing environment played a formative role in his development.
Personal Life
Details about Reyes’s personal life, including marital status and family, are not widely documented in publicly available sources. He is known to have built his professional career between Colombia and the United States, representing both Atlético Nacional and several Major League Soccer clubs.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a new chapter for Reyes as he joins San Diego FC for the club’s inaugural Major League Soccer campaign. Acquired in December 2024, he is expected to play a central role in the expansion side’s defensive structure. His familiarity with the league, having spent five seasons in MLS, positions him as a veteran presence within a young squad.
Throughout the early part of the season, Reyes has continued to provide leadership at the back while contributing in attacking set pieces, an area of strength throughout his career. His performances in preseason and early regular-season fixtures have offered glimpses of the form that made him a key figure for the New York Red Bulls in their run to MLS Cup 2024.
As the season progresses, Reyes’s partnership with his defensive teammates and his integration into San Diego FC’s tactical system will be central to the club’s ambitions. With his experience, aerial ability, and composure under pressure, he remains one of the most important players to watch for the expansion franchise in 2025.