He has played for clubs in Ecuador and Uruguay, as well as the Ecuador football team Carrera started his career at LDU Quito at the age of 15 in 1960, where he stayed until transferred to Peñarol of Uruguay in 1968.

He then transferred to cross-town team River Plate de Montevideo in 1970.

He was the all-time top goalscorer in the Copa Libertadores tournament for LDU Quito with 12 goals, until surpassed by Patricio Urrutia.

Since retiring from football, Carrera started his coaching career in 1990 with LDU Quito as a manager at senior level.

In August 2009 he was named as manager at Sociedad Deportiva Aucas.