José Manuel Rivera

Rivera spent time in the youth league teams of Club Atlas and C.F. Pachuca. He signed with Spartak Trnava in August 2006 as a free agent. For the 2007 season he played for Chiapas of the Mexican Primera División on loan. The following season, he played on another loan with Club Toluca in the Primera División. In the summer of 2009 he signed with Deportivo Guamúchil in Mexico.

RoPS

On 4 April 2011, Rivera signed a contract with Finnish club Rovaniemen Palloseura after have pass a time with Deportivo Guamúchil. Rivera debuted with RoPS on 6 May in a 1-0 win against FF Jaro and on 9 May he scored his first 2 goals in a draw 3–3 against IFK Mariehamn. Rivera have tried to get contract from Scandinavia and might be back in Rovaniemi 2012.

CD Guadalajara

Jose Manuel Rivera joined C.D. Guadalajara for the 2013 Clausura. He joined after he tried out a few weeks ago and played in the winter 2012 preseason for Guadalajara. He also tried out in September 2012, but did not end up playing.

Chivas USA

He spent the 2013 season with Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.

FF Jaro

After a short spell with CD Irapuato in the Ascenso MX, Rivera returned to the Finnish top flight, signing a contract with FF Jaro in April 2015. He made his debut on 23 April in a defeat against Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho.