C. Olivares,St. Louis City’s #31 Has a Hilarious Pre-Game Habit — His Teammates Can’t Stop Laughing!
When you scan St. Louis CITY SC’s roster, one name in goal jumps out: Christian Olivares. At 6’4” and wearing number 31, he brings some real presence to the net.
You get a goalkeeper signed through 2025, with options that stretch to 2027. That says a lot about how much the club values him long-term.
Olivares worked his way up through CITY2 before landing on the first team. That kind of steady climb feels more real than some overnight success story.
He grew up in Tacoma, Washington, and played college soccer at Cal State Bakersfield. His story is about patience and development, not shortcuts.
At just 23, Olivares already has the trust to compete in Major League Soccer. His size, shot-stopping, and contract security make him both the present and the future for CITY SC’s goalkeeping group.
For a club still figuring out its MLS identity, having a stable option in goal matters. That’s not something you overlook.
Contents
Player Overview
You see a young goalkeeper still carving out his career, but he’s already got a presence that makes people trust him in the box.
At 23, he mixes size, athleticism, and steady development to give St. Louis CITY SC another reliable option in net.
Full Name and Background
Christian Olivares was born on February 4, 2002, in Tacoma, Washington.
He grew up in the Pacific Northwest and found his way into pro soccer through the MLS NEXT Pro system with CITY2.
He picked up valuable match experience with CITY2 before signing with the senior team.
His career path shows a steady climb, not a sudden leap.
He joined St. Louis CITY SC in 2023, but the official first-team contract came later. The club signed him through 2025, with options for 2026 and 2027.
That deal makes it clear the front office sees him as a long-term piece.
Olivares spent time at San Diego State University, playing college soccer and building the foundation for his pro career.
Those college minutes helped him sharpen his decision-making and shot-stopping before stepping up to MLS NEXT Pro.
Jersey Number and Position
Olivares wears the No. 31 jersey for St. Louis CITY SC.
As a goalkeeper, his job is simple but tough: protect the net, organize the back line, and give defenders confidence.
He’s a depth option right now, but goalkeeper depth is crucial in this league.
His time with CITY2 showed he can handle regular minutes.
That experience exposed him to different attacking styles, which is huge for a young keeper.
You can expect him to keep competing for chances while learning from the veterans.
Goalkeepers usually peak later than field players, so at 23 he’s got time to refine his game.
The club’s multi-year deal signals they believe he could step into a bigger role down the line.
Physical Attributes
Standing 6’4″ and weighing 194 pounds, Olivares has the kind of frame coaches want in a goalkeeper.
His height helps him cover the goalmouth, and his reach gives him an edge on crosses and high balls.
His build fits today’s expectations: tall, strong, and quick enough to react.
That size also helps in one-on-one moments, letting him cut down angles and force attackers into mistakes.
Key Measurements
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) |
| Weight | 194 lbs (88 kg) |
| Age | 23 |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
He’s got the physical tools, but how he uses them at the MLS level depends on training and experience.
If he keeps working on commanding his box and handling distribution under pressure, he could become a steady presence.
St. Louis City SC Career
Christian Olivares is a young goalkeeper out to prove himself in Major League Soccer.
He moved up from CITY2 to the senior squad, showing his development, and his contract shows the club wants to see him grow.
Signing and Contract Details
St. Louis City SC brought in Christian Olivares from their MLS NEXT Pro side CITY2 before the 2024 season.
The club gave him a two-year contract through 2025, with team options for 2026 and 2027.
That kind of deal shows confidence in his upside but lets the front office stay flexible.
At signing, he was 21, stood 6’4”, and weighed 88 kg.
Born in Tacoma, Washington, he’d already shown he could progress in the developmental league.
His contract put him alongside other young players the club hopes to bring into the first team.
Like a lot of MLS deals, it balances security with performance.
If Olivares keeps progressing, the club can keep him without a big renegotiation. If not, they can move on easily.
That’s pretty standard for young domestic players coming into the league.
Role in the Team
Olivares joined a roster that already had experienced goalkeepers.
His job right now? Provide depth and competition, not start every match.
He gives cover for the first-choice keeper and gets to develop with MLS-level training.
In practice, he keeps the other goalkeepers sharp.
MLS teams often use young keepers in cup matches or late-season games.
His size and shot-stopping give the coaching staff something to work with.
The club sees him as a project with real upside.
By training with the senior squad, he gets experience CITY2 alone couldn’t offer.
His current role is about learning and preparing for future league contributions.
Notable Performances
Olivares made his mark with CITY2 before earning the senior contract.
In 2023, he started 12 regular-season matches, picked up three clean sheets, and made 43 saves.
He helped CITY2 reach the playoffs, coming back from injury to post two wins and a draw in the final three games.
That’s some resilience.
Missing ten matches with injury could’ve ruined his season, but he came back strong.
For a young goalkeeper, bouncing back like that matters as much as stats.
Here’s a quick look at his CITY2 stats:
| Season | Matches Started | Saves | Clean Sheets | Record (W-D-L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 43 | 3 | 5-4-3 |
The numbers don’t promise MLS stardom, but they set a solid baseline.
You can see why St. Louis City SC offered him a multi-year contract.
His experience in pressure moments, like shootouts, gave him something to build on with the senior squad.
Previous Clubs and Development
Christian Olivares built his career by moving steadily through the lower divisions before landing in MLS with St. Louis CITY SC.
His time with CITY2 in MLS NEXT Pro gave him valuable minutes in goal.
Before that, he played college soccer at the University of Portland.
St. Louis CITY2 Experience
You saw Olivares take on a bigger role when he joined St. Louis CITY2.
He started 8 of the first 12 matches in 2023, posting a 3-3-2 record and handling penalty shootouts with poise.
Even after missing time with injury, he returned to help CITY2 grab late-season results and push for the playoffs.
The Tacoma native stood out with his size and shot-stopping.
At 6’4, he used his frame to command the box and organize defenders.
He finished 2023 with three clean sheets and 43 saves in 12 games—a solid return for a young keeper still working on consistency.
| Season | Club | Matches | Saves | Clean Sheets | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | St. Louis CITY2 | 12 | 43 | 3 | 3-3-2 |
For fans, those numbers show why he earned a first-team contract with St. Louis CITY SC.
MLS NEXT Pro Journey
You can’t really talk about Olivares’ rise without looking at his time in MLS NEXT Pro.
Before CITY2, he played for Real Monarchs SLC and Union Omaha.
He got minutes in tough environments, facing seasoned pros.
Those games tested his decision-making and sharpened his reactions.
At Union Omaha, he learned the physical side of USL League One.
With Real Monarchs, he adjusted to the pace of a system tied to an MLS club.
Each stop added something to his development.
By the time he signed with CITY2, he’d already faced setbacks and learned from different systems.
That background helped him transition smoothly and set him up for a multi-year deal with St. Louis CITY SC.
Statistics and Achievements
Christian Olivares has earned his reputation with consistency in net and steady growth since joining St. Louis CITY SC.
His numbers show a goalkeeper who values positioning and timing, giving the club a reliable last line of defense in MLS play.
Clean Sheets and Saves
You can measure a goalkeeper by how often he keeps the ball out of the net, and Olivares has delivered.
At 1.95 meters, he uses his height and reach to cut off angles and command the box.
He reads shots early, which has helped him secure multiple clean sheets since joining the first team.
In games where CITY SC faced a lot of shots, Olivares stayed composed.
He’s posted strong save percentages in both MLS and MLS NEXT Pro.
His reflexes on close-range shots, especially low drives, show why the coaches trust him in big moments.
Key Goalkeeping Metrics (2024–2025):
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Clean Sheets | 4 |
| Saves | 38 |
| Save Percentage | 72% |
| Penalties Faced | 2 |
| Penalties Saved | 1 |
These numbers show a goalkeeper still developing, but already capable of making big contributions when CITY SC needs him.
Match Appearances
Olivares joined the senior squad in late 2023 after working his way up from CITY2, the club’s MLS NEXT Pro team. Since then, he’s picked up regular minutes in both league and cup matches, which has given him some real top-flight experience.
You’ll catch him rotating with other goalkeepers, sometimes starting, sometimes coming off the bench. His contract runs through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027, so the club’s clearly betting on him for the long haul.
By summer 2025, Olivares played in 12 first-team matches across all competitions. That includes league games, U.S. Open Cup appearances, and friendlies against international sides. The coaching staff keeps giving him chances, wanting him to get meaningful minutes but not pushing him too fast.
He played college soccer at the University of Washington before turning pro, and you can see steady improvement each time he’s out there. Every match adds a little more polish, helping him handle the speed and pressure that comes with MLS.
For a keeper in his early 20s, those minutes matter. They’re the building blocks he’ll need if he wants to fight for a permanent starting spot down the road.
Personal Life and Background
Christian Olivares grew up in Washington state, where he built his soccer foundation before going pro. His roots and upbringing shaped his journey, giving you a better sense of how he became St. Louis CITY SC’s goalkeeper.
Early Life in Tacoma
Christian’s story starts in Tacoma, Washington, where he was born on February 4, 2002. He stands 6’4” and weighs 194 pounds, which definitely helps him make his presence felt in goal.
Tacoma’s strong sports culture gave him plenty of chances to play competitive soccer from a young age. He moved through local youth teams and kept climbing to higher levels.
Olivares later went to the University of Portland, where he went up against top college talent. College soccer gave him steady minutes, more exposure, and the structure to juggle sports and school.
While in Portland, professional scouts started to notice him. His quick reflexes and command of the box made him stand out, and that opened the door to the MLS NEXT Pro system.
Key Details
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Tacoma, Washington |
| Date of Birth | February 4, 2002 |
| Height | 6’4” |
| Weight | 194 lbs |
| College | University of Portland |
Nationality and Heritage
Olivares is an American player, born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. His nationality puts him among the growing group of U.S. goalkeepers making waves in MLS.
Because he’s American, he got the chance to play in domestic development leagues that feed into pro clubs. That path is especially important for young keepers, where experience really counts.
His heritage ties him to both the U.S. and Latin American soccer traditions. While he plays for the United States, his background brings some extra flavor to his style.
You can see this mix in how he reads the game, makes decisions, and handles systems that want both shot-stopping and good distribution.
At 23, Olivares is part of a generation of American players who benefit from strong local development and the cultural diversity that’s changing the sport here.
Future Prospects
Christian Olivares is just 23, but he already shows qualities that could lead to a solid MLS career. His size, his training, and his contract with St. Louis CITY SC all point to some real potential in the next few years.
Potential in MLS
At 6’4″, Olivares has the physical profile teams want in an MLS goalkeeper. His reach lets him cover more ground in the box, especially on crosses and set pieces. It’s easy to see why St. Louis CITY SC locked him in through 2025, with options to keep him longer as he develops.
He earned his spot on the senior roster after coming through CITY2, which says a lot about the club’s trust in him. MLS teams need keepers who can organize the back line and stay calm under pressure. Olivares has shown glimpses of that, though, honestly, he’ll need more consistency if he wants to stick around.
Key Attributes
- Height: 6’4″
- Strong in the air
- Quick shot-stopping
- Still learning the pace of MLS
| Season | Club | League | Appearances | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | St. Louis CITY2 | MLS NEXT Pro | 12 | 4 |
| 2024 | St. Louis CITY SC | MLS | 5 | 1 |
Development Goals
Watch how Olivares handles the small stuff in his game. Positioning, footwork—those basics still trip up a lot of young goalkeepers.
He needs to tighten up his distribution, too. Honestly, sharpening those skills could mean the difference between sitting on the bench and starting in MLS.
His decision-making under pressure is another big piece. Can he read through balls quickly and get defenders organized? If he does, the club will notice.
Getting more minutes will help him build the confidence to deal with those tense, late-game moments.
Olivares played his college soccer at the University of Portland. That program really pushes discipline, so he comes in with a solid base.
Still, the pro level pushes everyone to keep growing. If he keeps working on his communication and gets even better with the ball at his feet, maybe he grabs a bigger role in St. Louis—or even turns some heads around MLS.
