Rafael Baca

Early career

Born in Tuxpan, near Morelia, Baca moved to California at the age of 7, and graduated from Ánimo Leadership Charter High School in Inglewood in 2007. While there he scored a total of 58 goals and received the Athlete Academic Award. Baca attended Loyola Marymount University (2007–2010), where he was a star player for the team. LMU won their first conference championship in school history in 2010 during Baca's junior season, in which Baca was named to the thirty player watch list for the Hermann Trophy. Baca captained the Lions in his final three seasons, and was named First-Team All-West Coast Conference those three seasons as well. A member of the LA Galaxy academy program while at LMU, Baca was not offered an opportunity with the club after he had graduated.

San Jose Earthquakes

Baca was not selected in either of the year's two drafts, but on July 8, 2011, Baca signed a Major League Soccer contract with the San Jose Earthquakes, with whom he had been training since February. While attending the funeral of college teammate David Kucera, he met Quakes assistant coach Ian Russell, and the club held a tryout for him the next day. Baca made his debut on July 9 against Philadelphia, receiving 10 minutes off the bench. After replacing Simon Dawkins in the first half against Vancouver on July 20, Baca was given his full debut by head coach Frank Yallop three days later in a 4–0 loss to Real Salt Lake. Baca started the club's final ten games of the…

San Jose Earthquakes

Supporters' Shield: 2012 Cruz Azul

Liga MX: Guardianes 2021 Copa MX: Apertura 2018 Campeón de Campeones: 2021 Supercopa de la Liga MX: 2022 Supercopa MX: 2019 Leagues Cup: 2019