Perez became the second Homegrown player in the club’s history after signing an MLS contract in 2023. During the 2022 season, Perez split time between CITY2 and the Academy. For CITY2, he appeared in seven matches, making two starts. The midfielder also made seven appearances for the Academy’s UPSL squad, including a two-goal performance in the team’s 5-4 loss in the conference playoff semifinals. Perez etched his name in history after scoring the first-ever goal for St. Louis CITY SC Academy in a 4-3 win against Chicago Fire U17s at the start of the 2021 MLS NEXT season. The St. Louis native played for local clubs JB Marine Academy and St. Louis Scott Gallagher before making his debut for St. Louis CITY SC’s U-17 team in 2021.
