The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the team will induct the club’s all-time leader in goals scored and assists, Ronald Cerritos, into the San Jose Earthquakes Hall of Fame on Wednesday, September 29th during a halftime ceremony at the Earthquakes game against the Chicago Fire at Buck Shaw Stadium. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. PT.
RONALD CERRITOS PHOTO GALLERY
SHRADER'S SPIN: REMEMBERING RONALD
HIGHLIGHT REEL
Cerritos played in San Jose from 1997-2001 and then returned to the club in 2005 for one season. During his tenure with the club, he scored 61 goals and notched 47 assists. Additionally, Cerritos ranks 4th all-time in appearances (148), minutes played (12,382) and games started (142). He also helped lead the team to its first ever MLS Cup Championship in 2001.
“I am very grateful to the team for selecting me for the Hall of Fame,” said Cerritos. “San Jose is where my career really took off and the community there always supported me and made me feel welcome. I am looking forward to getting out there and seeing everyone again in September.”
He joins former Earthquakes great and current general manager John Doyle, who was inducted in 2005, as the lone members of the Earthquakes Hall of Fame. Cerritos’ jersey will be on display at all Earthquakes home games, alongside Doyle’s. The team established the Earthquakes Hall of Fame as a tribute to honor the players who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the club both on and off the field throughout its history.
Cerritos was allocated to the San Jose Clash, as the team was then named, from ADET on March 21, 1997 and achieved immediate success, leading the team with 12 goals and being named in the MLS Best XI that year. He also set an MLS and San Jose record with an 11-game point streak. Cerritos led the Earthquakes in goals scored in every season he was with the club except for the 2000 and 2005 seasons. Cerritos was selected to three All-Star games (1997, 1999 and 2001) during his six-year tenure in San Jose and was named the team’s MVP in 1997, 1998 and 1999. He earned the MLS Play of Year in 1999 for his bicycle kick assist to Alejandro Sequeira.
During the off-season following the 2001 season, Cerritos was traded to the Dallas Burn. In 38 appearances with Dallas, Cerritos scored seven goals, before being traded to D.C. United during the 2003 season. Cerritos made 13 appearances with D.C. United during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, scoring two goals.
He returned in 2005 to San Jose and had an immediate impact, scoring a goal in the opener. He appeared in 30 games in his final season, scoring six goals and notching nine assists, as the Quakes put together the best regular season in club history. They finished 18-4-10 for a club record 64 points and won the team’s only Supporter’s Shield.
Cerritos also spent time with the El Salvador National Team, making 66 caps and scoring eight goals from 1995-2008.
