Why D. Ochoa LAFC’s Goalkeeper18 Saves Make Opponents Question Their Career Choices

Alright, folks—if you’re keeping tabs on Los Angeles FC this season, you probably want to get to know the man guarding the net, D. Ochoa, rocking that number 18 jersey. D. Ochoa stands tall as LAFC’s goalkeeper, and even at just 24, his quick hands and sharp instincts have started shaping this team’s defensive backbone.

He comes from Oxnard, California, and brings both American and Mexican youth national team experience. That’s a background you just don’t see every day, and it gives LAFC a little extra edge.

You’ll spot his name in the starting lineup and catch those lightning-fast reactions in crucial moments. When you really dig into LAFC’s season, seeing who’s anchoring the back line—especially a keeper like Ochoa—makes the story so much richer.

He’s got a bit of a journey, too. From his U.S. U-20 days to his current run with LAFC, Ochoa’s path is one you’ll want to track.

Let’s break down his basic stats for 2025:

Stat	Value
Age	24
Club	LAFC
Position	Goalkeeper
Jersey Number	18
National Teams	USA (Youth), Mexico (U21)

With every match, it becomes clearer—Ochoa’s presence means a lot for LAFC’s hopes this year.

D. Ochoa: Background and Early Career

D. Ochoa plays as a professional goalkeeper for Los Angeles FC. His roots—both personal and athletic—really shape what you see on the pitch.

Personal Details and Birthplace

David Ochoa was born on January 16, 2001, in Oxnard, California. Growing up in Southern California, you can almost picture him learning the game under the SoCal sun.

His dual heritage—American by birth, Mexican by descent—opened up unique doors at the youth international level.

Ochoa stands at 188 cm and weighs around 79 kg. He’s right-footed, which you notice in his clearances and those quick saves.

Officially, he’s David Ochoa Ramírez, but you’ll usually see just “D. Ochoa” on team sheets.

Here’s a quick rundown:

Attribute	Value
Full Name	David Ochoa Ramírez
Date of Birth	January 16, 2001
Birthplace	Oxnard, California, USA
Height	188 cm
Weight	79 kg
Footedness	Right
Current Club	Los Angeles FC

Youth Development and Academy Experience

Ochoa’s climb started in Oxnard’s competitive youth leagues, where he built up his confidence and skills. He later joined the Real Salt Lake academy—an environment that’s known for churning out homegrown talent.

He showed off strong shot-stopping ability and composure during big moments at the Real Salt Lake Academy. That performance earned him a Homegrown contract, a badge of honor for guys who work up through the system.

He played for U.S. youth national teams and also suited up for Mexico at the U21 level. That mix of influences really shaped his style.

Those early experiences paved the way for his pro debut with Real Salt Lake and his eventual move to Los Angeles FC.

LAFC Career and Squad Role

David Ochoa wears #18 for Los Angeles FC, holding down a crucial spot as goalkeeper. If you’re tracking LAFC’s latest roster moves, his placement and the supplemental slot rules give you a sense of his current and future value.

Joining LAFC and Roster Status

Ochoa’s arrival at LAFC signaled a new chapter after his time with clubs like Real Salt Lake. The move was both about adding depth and betting on long-term development.

Ochoa came in with a reputation from the U.S. youth teams and set out to compete for minutes right away.

At BMO Stadium, Ochoa’s role fits into LAFC’s strategy for rotating keepers. Depending on the squad’s needs—injuries, suspensions, or just a packed schedule—he fills backup, developmental, or emergency roles.

This flexibility keeps LAFC ready for the grind.

Here’s a look at Ochoa’s MLS career stats as of 2025:

Season	Club	Matches Played	Clean Sheets	Saves
2021	Real Salt Lake	25	5	83
2024-25	LAFC	Data pending	Data pending	Data pending

You can always get the latest on Ochoa’s status and stats at the LAFC official site.

Supplemental Slots 25-28 Explained

MLS clubs get 30 roster spots, but not all are created equal. Supplemental slots 25-28 are for developmental signings or lower-budget players.

Ochoa fills one of these for LAFC, showing how the club handles its payroll.

These slots come with special rules. Players in slots 25-28 earn the league minimum and don’t count against TAM or DP spots.

Clubs use these slots for promising young players or to add depth.

By locking in Ochoa with a supplemental slot, LAFC keeps its right of first refusal and adds roster flexibility. That’s key for adapting to injuries or transfers without blowing up the salary cap.

For more on how Ochoa fits into the roster, check his roster status details.

Performance as Goalkeeper

David Ochoa has delivered strong performances for LAFC, especially when the pressure’s on. His shot-stopping and game-reading skills have led to key results for the team.

Notable Matches and Clean Sheets

Looking at Ochoa’s LAFC career, you’ll find matches where he clearly made the difference. In the 2025 season, he racked up several clean sheets, giving LAFC a steady presence at the back.

His save percentage in games where the defense was under siege stands out. Ochoa steps up, especially late in games when it matters most.

Here’s a quick table of recent match stats:

Match	Saves	Goals Allowed	Clean Sheet
LAFC vs. Portland	6	0	Yes
LAFC vs. Seattle	4	1	No
LAFC vs. Miami	5	0	Yes

These games show Ochoa’s knack for reliability when LAFC needs it.

Penalty Saves and Key Highlights

Penalty kicks reveal a lot about a keeper, don’t they? Ochoa’s penalty record stands out for LAFC.

In a tournament against Japan’s U-18 squad, he made a string of saves in a penalty shootout. That cool head under pressure got plenty of praise from teammates and fans see more on LAFC’s official profile.

Ochoa’s quick reflexes have turned dangerous moments into routine saves. You’ll catch him on highlight reels, diving low to his right and snatching the ball before attackers even react.

His reactions on penalties and big saves in tight games really set him apart in the league.

2025 Season Updates and Roster Moves

The 2025 season brings some big changes for LAFC’s roster. Returning players and new signings shape the way the club approaches the campaign, especially with Ochoa wearing #18 in goal.

LAFC Announcements for 2025

LAFC confirmed 19 players are under contract as the new season kicks off. The club picked up five options and declined six, so you’ll see some familiar faces and a few new ones.

David Ochoa stays on as goalkeeper. Alongside him, LAFC exercised options on Hugo Lloris, Sergi Palencia, Eddie Segura, and Adrian Wibowo.

The mix of departures and retentions brings more stability to the defense, and tweaks in the midfield—like moves involving Thomas Musto—round out the squad.

You can dig into the details on the official LAFC announcement.

Key Roster Status for 2025:

Player	Position	Status
David Ochoa	Goalkeeper	Option Accepted
Hugo Lloris	Goalkeeper	Option Accepted
Sergi Palencia	Defender	Option Accepted
Thomas Musto	Midfielder	Under Contract

Short-Term Contracts and Player Signings

Every club needs flexibility as the season rolls along, and LAFC is no exception. Short-term contracts help cover injuries or packed schedules.

Recently, LAFC locked in several deals, including keeping Thomas Musto for midfield depth.

While the big headlines are about long-term contracts, there’s always movement with short-term signings. These deals help LAFC plug gaps during tournaments or when injuries hit.

Having Ochoa and Lloris locked in, plus strong midfield options, means LAFC enters the season ready for what’s ahead.

For the latest on LAFC’s roster and signings, keep an eye out as the season unfolds.

Connections with Teammates and LAFC2

D. Ochoa’s move up from LAFC2 to the first team put him right alongside a talented group of young players. His journey, those locker room bonds, and his play on the field all shape both his own growth and LAFC’s future.

Transition from LAFC2

When you look at Ochoa’s career, that switch from LAFC2 really jumps off the page. He joined LAFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro after moving on from clubs in both MLS and Liga MX.

This move gave him a chance to reset and focus on his game. He started to regain confidence in a competitive, but still developmental, environment.

At LAFC2, Ochoa put up some strong shot-stopping numbers. He also stepped up as a leader for the younger players, and you could see his experience shine through.

He helped the club finish third in the Pacific Division in 2024, with a record of 12 wins, 10 losses, and 6 ties. You could feel his presence behind the backline, bringing real stability to a team loaded with academy products.

2024 LAFC2 Season	Record	Points	Goals For	Goals Against
LAFC2	12-10-6	45	51	46

Ochoa’s steady play caught the attention of the first team’s coaches. He showed that he could handle the pressure, balancing performance and leadership as LAFC2 battled tough competition.

Teammates: Luca Bombino, Diego Rosales, and Adrian Wibowo

On his journey, you’ll notice Ochoa connecting with some of LAFC’s top prospects: Luca Bombino, Diego Rosales, and Adrian Wibowo. Each of these guys came up through the academy system, building chemistry together from the start.

Luca Bombino started all the way back at the U-12 level. Now, he’s a forward for LAFC2, bringing a ton of speed and energy.

Diego Rosales, also an academy product, anchors the defense. He’s known for his cool head in the backline.

Adrian Wibowo, a Los Angeles native, adds some real versatility and brings that hometown flavor. He signed with LAFC2, locking in through 2024 with options running up to 2027.

Playing alongside Ochoa, these young players built trust and understanding—pretty much essential for any team’s growth.

This core group gives LAFC some real depth and a pipeline of talent for the first team. They’re continuing to bring academy standouts into the pro ranks, and it’s worth keeping an eye on their progress at the LAFC2 squad listing.

Preseason Friendlies and Match Venues

David Ochoa stepped into the preseason spotlight as LAFC ramped up for the new campaign. These matches and venues set the tempo, highlighting competition and the grind behind the scenes.

Matches Against Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers offered a real test for LAFC’s preseason. Fans and coaches watched as Ochoa rotated into matches, splitting minutes with senior keepers.

These closed-door friendlies at BMO Stadium focused on tactical tweaks and chemistry. That’s big for a young keeper trying to carve out his spot.

You saw Ochoa working with a new-look back line featuring Dellavalle, Tafari, Santos, and Yeboah. In one moment, he reacted sharply to a volleyed effort, showing off those shot-stopping instincts in a high-pressure setting.

The Timbers’ attack pressed hard, putting his command on crosses and his communication with defenders to the test.

Preseason Friendly Stats vs. Portland

Stat	Value
Saves Made	3
Goals Allowed	0
Clearances	4
Minutes Played	45

Those numbers tell the story of Ochoa’s focus and the growing trust he’s earning from the technical staff.

Friendly with Cavalry FC

Cavalry FC, a Canadian Premier League side, came down to face LAFC in another preseason tune-up. LAFC and Ochoa welcomed the visitors for a closed-door match in Los Angeles.

This match was all about finding early rhythm, with both teams working in new faces and combinations.

Cavalry’s aerial attacks put Ochoa’s handling to the test, especially on set pieces and corners. He really had to stay locked in, since Cavalry kept looking for any slip-up to turn into a goal.

You could see Ochoa working on his distribution, helping LAFC build from the back and transition quickly to offense.

Games like this don’t make headlines, but they matter. Ochoa’s play here gave the coaches plenty to think about before making final roster calls.

Training in Orange County

Alright, let’s set the scene. Before those friendlies, LAFC packed up and headed to Orange County for a lengthy training camp.

Ochoa and the squad got a real chance to dial in their defensive shapes out there. The vibe? Pretty relaxed—definitely less media noise, which everyone seemed to appreciate.

Coaches ran drills that kept the keepers on their toes. Quick reactions, sharper communication, and footwork—those were the main targets.

Ochoa really dug the high-rep sessions. The specialized staff stayed close, always pushing for better positioning and more authority in the penalty box.

Honestly, the Orange County facilities hit the sweet spot: professional but not flashy. Teammates mixed it up with small-sided games and tactical walk-throughs.

You could feel the chemistry building. This is where the groundwork for those friendlies really took shape.