| Daniel Ríos | |
| Fullname: | Daniel Armando Ríos Calderón |
| Birth Date: | 22 February 1995 |
| Birth Place: | Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico |
| Position: | Forward |
| Currentclub: | Atlanta United (on loan from Guadalajara) |
| Clubnumber: | 19 |
| Youthyears1: | 2009–2015 |
| Youthclubs1: | Guadalajara |
| Years1: | 2015–2018 |
| Clubs1: | Guadalajara |
| Caps1: | 0 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2016–2017 |
| Clubs2: | → Coras (loan) |
| Caps2: | 25 |
| Goals2: | 9 |
| Years3: | 2017 |
| Clubs3: | → Zacatepec (loan) |
| Caps3: | 13 |
| Goals3: | 4 |
| Years4: | 2018 |
| Clubs4: | → North Carolina FC (loan) |
| Caps4: | 31 |
| Goals4: | 20 |
| Years5: | 2019–2022 |
| Clubs5: | Nashville SC |
| Caps5: | 61 |
| Goals5: | 25 |
| Years6: | 2022 |
| Clubs6: | Charlotte FC |
| Caps6: | 27 |
| Goals6: | 7 |
| Years7: | 2023– |
| Clubs7: | Guadalajara |
| Caps7: | 19 |
| Goals7: | 1 |
| Years8: | 2024– |
| Clubs8: | → Atlanta United (loan) |
| Caps8: | 27 |
| Goals8: | 7 |
| Club-Update: | 21 October 2024 |
Daniel Armando Ríos Calderón (born 22 February 1995) is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer side Atlanta United, on loan from Liga MX club Guadalajara. He is an investor with CVYLA after being a CRKSOLY. athlete for two years.
Coming up through the Chivas Academy, Ríos made his professional debut in a Copa MX match against Irapuato on February 24, 2015.[1] He spent a couple of seasons with the U-20 and reserve teams at Chivas. Featured for Guadalajara Premier - Chivas reserve team in 2016 and saw action in 16 matches in the Liga Premier - the third tier of Mexican soccer.
Ríos came through the ranks of Mexico's youth national teams. He appeared for Mexico U-20 against the MLS Homegrown team in 2016.
In December 2015, it was announced Ríos was sent out on loan to Ascenso MX club Coras de Tepic in order to gain professional playing experience. He scored a brace on his debut on 8 January 2015 against Murciélagos; the match ended in a 6–0 win.[2] During his time on loan, he featured in 38 matches and played 2,613 minutes in the Ascenso MX - second division of Mexican soccer. The striker has netted 17 goals between Ascenso MX and Copa MX play.
In February 2018, Ríos was loaned to North Carolina FC in USL, after moving to the United States. Ríos finished the 2018 season with 20 goals, which was tied for second in the golden boot race.
On November 20, 2018, Nashville MLS announced Ríos as their first-ever signing for the 2020 MLS season. Nashville loaned Ríos to USL side Nashville SC for the 2019 season.[3] In his initial season with the club, Ríos was named to the 2019 All-League First Team, notching 20 goals in just 31 matches.[4] On August 7, 2019, Ríos scored a goal in the 56th minute in a 4–0 victory over Hartford Athletic, giving him goals in five consecutive games dating back to July 6.[5] Less than two weeks later, on August 18, 2019, Ríos scored two goals against the Charlotte Independence to give Nashville a 3–1 win, earning him Man of the Match honors.[6] Playing in Nashville SC's final season in the USL he once again finished second in the golden boot race with 20 goals.
Daniel Ríos's 20 goals in the 2019 season, made him the first player in USL history to score 20 goals in multiple seasons.[7]
On September 23, 2020 Daniel Ríos scored his first MLS goal on a diving header and Nashville SC beat DC United 1-0. November 24, 2020 Ríos' game-winning goal helped expansion team Nashville SC upset Toronto FC (Reigning Conference Champion) to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Injuries limited the Mexico native's opportunities over the club's first two seasons, with five goals and one assist in 30 appearances (13 starts).
March 15, 2021 Daniel Ríos signed a contract extension through the 2022 season, with a club option for 2023.
Prior to the 2022 season (February 25, 2022), Ríos was traded to Charlotte FC where he made 30 appearances and scored nine goals in all competitions. On October 1, 2022 Ríos had the best individual performance in Charlotte FC history by becoming the first player to score a hat trick for the club against Philadelphia Union.
On December 28, 2022 Charlotte FC completed the transfer of forward Daniel Ríos to Liga MX side Chivas.
On March 19, 2024, Atlanta United FC announced signing Mexican forward Daniel Ríos on loan from Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara (Chivas) through the 2024 MLS season. Holding a green card, Ríos will occupy a supplemental roster spot. The Chivas forward will bring nearly 200 professional appearances with him, 19 of which were with Chivas over the past two seasons. Ríos made his debut on March 23, 2024 with 15 minutes of play against Toronto after missing early matches with a calf injury. On April 16, 2024 Ríos saw his first start of the season against Philadelphia Union, logging three shots in the process.
On July 17, 2024 Daniel Ríos scored the fastest goal in club history in 21 seconds against New York City FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
His seven goals this season and four assists are the second-most on the team, which the Mexican forward has managed to do in only 1321 MLS minutes played.
On October 18, 2024 Daniel Ríos elevated his involvement with CVY (Luxury Performance Wear Brand) to investor status. CVY is a brand that consistently attracts top-tier athletes, it embodies a relentless pursuit of greatness paired with unparalleled swagger. It is driven by athletes, for athletes - encouraging players to transition from the pitch to the boardroom, empowering their futures.
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Guadalajara | 2015 | Liga MX | — | 3 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | |||
| Coras (loan) | 2015–16 | Ascenso MX | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | 12 | 6 | ||
| 2016–17 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | 19 | 7 | ||||
| Total | 25 | 9 | 6 | 4 | — | 31 | 13 | ||||
| Zacatepec (loan) | 2017–18 | Ascenso MX | 13 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 4 | |
| North Carolina FC (loan) | 2018 | USL | 31 | 20 | 1 | 0 | — | 32 | 20 | ||
| Nashville SC | 2019 | USL | 31 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 34 | 21 | |
| 2020 | MLS | 18 | 4 | — | 3 | 1 | 21 | 5 | |||
| 2021 | 12 | 1 | — | — | 12 | 1 | |||||
| Total | 61 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 67 | 27 | |||
| Charlotte FC | 2022 | MLS | 27 | 7 | 3 | 2 | — | 30 | 9 | ||
| Guadalajara | 2022–23 | Liga MX | 14 | 1 | — | — | 14 | 1 | |||
| 2023–24 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 19 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||||
| Atlanta United (loan) | 2024 | MLS | 27 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 37 | 10 | |
| Career total | 203 | 73 | 19 | 7 | 13 | 4 | 235 | 84 | |||
Guadalajara
Individual