Carlos Miguel Coronel Bio
Carlos Miguel Coronel (born 29 December 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls. Born in Brazil, he represents the Paraguay national team and stands 192 cm tall. A product of the Red Bull global football network, Coronel has built his reputation on consistent shot-stopping and a calm presence between the posts at club and international level.
Early Life and Background
Carlos Miguel Coronel was born on 29 December 1996 in Porto Murtinho, Brazil, a small city in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Growing up in a country passionate about football, he developed an early interest in the goalkeeper position and joined local youth setups to refine his craft. His Brazilian upbringing shaped his technical foundation before he entered one of the most structured development pipelines in world football.
Coronel comes from a family with Paraguayan roots through his mother, a heritage that would later influence his international career. He became a naturalized citizen of Paraguay in July 2023, opening the door for senior national team selection. The combination of Brazilian footballing education and Paraguayan heritage has given him a unique dual identity within the sport.
Path to Professional Soccer
Coronel began his senior pathway in the youth setup of Red Bull Brasil, where he was called up to the first team as a substitute goalkeeper for the São Paulo State Cup during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Although he did not feature in those matches, the experience provided valuable exposure to first-team environments and prepared him for a transition to European football.
In the summer of 2015, Coronel moved to Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg as part of the broader Red Bull player development network. He was immediately loaned to Salzburg’s reserve side, FC Liefering, competing in the Austrian 2. Liga, where he made his senior debut in July 2015 against SKN St. Pölten. The move to Austria marked his first step into professional football and laid the groundwork for appearances at the highest European levels.
Carlos Miguel Coronel Career
Early Career (2015-2017)
During his initial years at FC Liefering, Coronel established himself as a reliable starter in the Austrian second division, gaining the match experience needed to challenge for a first-team role at Red Bull Salzburg. He remained a regular starter for Liefering through the 2017-18 season, featuring in 32 matches and showing the consistency required for promotion to the senior squad.
His progress with the reserves did not go unnoticed by the Salzburg coaching staff, and his development within the Red Bull system positioned him as a future option for Bundesliga and European competition.
Red Bull Salzburg Breakthrough (2018-2020)
In May 2018, Coronel made his Bundesliga debut for Red Bull Salzburg, starting against FK Austria Wien. His promotion coincided with a period of squad transition that gave him opportunities to compete for minutes at the highest Austrian level.
The 2019-20 season proved to be a defining campaign. Following injuries to first-choice goalkeeper Cican Stanković and backup Alexander Walke, Coronel was thrust into the spotlight and made his UEFA Champions League debut on 23 October 2019 against SSC Napoli, coming on as a substitute in a 2-3 loss. He followed that with a composed performance in a 1-1 draw against Napoli on 6 November 2019, earning praise for his shot-stopping and command of the box. By the end of the season, he had made five Bundesliga appearances, one ÖFB-Cup appearance, and three Champions League appearances as Salzburg completed a domestic league and cup double.
Philadelphia Union Loan (2019)
On 24 January 2019, Coronel was loaned to Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union from Red Bull Salzburg. During his time in Philadelphia, he appeared in four MLS matches and added eight appearances with affiliate side Bethlehem Steel FC in the USL before being recalled by Salzburg in July 2019. The MLS exposure introduced him to North American football and helped him adapt to a new league style.
New York Red Bulls Era (2021-Present)
On 26 February 2021, Coronel joined New York Red Bulls on loan from Red Bull Salzburg, and on 17 April 2021 he made his MLS debut in a 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City. He recorded his first shutout for the club on 1 May 2021 in a 2-0 victory over Chicago Fire FC and finished his debut MLS season with 34 league appearances and 13 clean sheets, including an eleventh shutout of the year in a 1-0 Hudson River Derby win over New York City FC on 17 October 2021.
On 6 December 2021, New York acquired Coronel on a permanent three-year deal from Red Bull Salzburg. He continued to deliver key performances in 2022, keeping a clean sheet in a 3-0 U.S. Open Cup semifinal victory over New York City FC on 22 June 2022 and helping the club to a 1-0 win over CF Montréal on 31 August 2022 that set a club record ninth road victory of the season. On 21 October 2023, his ninth shutout of the MLS season led New York to a 1-0 win over Nashville SC and secured a record 14th straight MLS Cup Playoffs qualification.
In the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, Coronel was outstanding, helping New York to a 1-0 win over Columbus Crew on 29 October 2024 with eight saves, then recording his third shutout in four playoff matches in a 1-0 victory over Orlando City SC on 30 November 2024 to send the Red Bulls to MLS Cup 2024. In November 2025, the club and Coronel failed to reach agreement on a new contract, and the team announced he would not be re-signing.
Driving Style and Strengths
Coronel is recognized for his reflexes, command of the penalty area, and calm distribution, attributes developed across Austrian, European, and American football systems. His ability to perform in high-stakes matches such as Champions League fixtures and MLS Cup Playoffs reflects a mature shot-stopper who thrives under pressure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include his Champions League debut against SSC Napoli in October 2019, his record-setting ninth road win contribution with New York in 2022, his 30th career Red Bulls shutout in October 2023, and his standout eight-save performance against Columbus Crew in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. His run of three shutouts in four postseason matches that year stands as one of the defining stretches of his MLS career.
Carlos Miguel Coronel Career Wins
Coronel’s verified achievements are anchored in the Red Bull Salzburg double of 2019-20, where he contributed to both the Austrian Bundesliga title and the ÖFB-Cup triumph. With New York Red Bulls he has added a strong postseason resume, including a run to MLS Cup 2024 and a club-record 14th consecutive playoff qualification.
Red Bull Salzburg Highlights
During the 2019-20 season, Coronel made one ÖFB-Cup appearance and three Champions League appearances as Salzburg secured the Austrian league and cup double. His Champions League performances against SSC Napoli in October and November 2019 marked his arrival on the European stage.
Other Wins and Performances
With FC Liefering, Coronel was a regular starter during the 2017-18 season, playing 32 matches in the Austrian second division. His loan spell at Philadelphia Union and subsequent permanent move to New York Red Bulls brought consistent clean sheets and postseason success, including the 2024 Eastern Conference championship run.
Carlos Miguel Coronel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Carlos Miguel Coronel was raised in Porto Murtinho, Brazil, with strong Paraguayan roots through his mother’s side of the family. That Paraguayan heritage shaped his path to international football and led to his naturalization as a Paraguayan citizen in July 2023.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Brazil before pursuing his professional career in Austria and the United States, Coronel has built his adult life around football. His dual Brazilian and Paraguayan identity connects him to two football cultures and reinforces his place as a senior international for Paraguay.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 MLS season saw Coronel continue as New York Red Bulls’ starting goalkeeper, building on the momentum of the club’s run to MLS Cup 2024. He remained a central figure in the team’s defensive organization throughout the campaign, posting consistent shutouts and contributing to the Red Bulls’ continued competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.
His playoff pedigree from 2024 carried into 2025, where his experience in high-pressure matches remained a valuable asset for head coach and teammates. The defensive structure around Coronel continued to lean on his shot-stopping and distribution as central pillars of the team’s identity.
In November 2025, New York and Coronel failed to reach an agreement on a new contract, and the club announced he would not be re-signing, closing the chapter on his Red Bulls tenure. His legacy at the club includes record-setting seasons, memorable postseason performances, and a defensive foundation that helped redefine the franchise’s modern identity.