Eric Avila
Encyclopedia
Eric Humberto Avila is an American
soccer player who currently plays for Toronto FC
in Major League Soccer
.
players Frankie Hejduk
and Steve Cherundolo
. With the Nomads, he helped the team to a U.S. Club Soccer National Championship, Disney Showcase tournament championship, and Coast Premier League regular season title.
He also attended La Costa Canyon High School
in Carlsbad, California
before entering the US U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida
. Avila led La Costa Canyon to the Avocado League title and a CIF
Division I Finals berth as a sophomore. During the season, he was named the Avocado League MVP. Eric Avila was also a member of Chivas USA's U-19 club before he enrolled at UC Santa Barbara.
Avila was recruited to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara
by head coach Tim Vom Steeg
. Upon his signing, he was regarded as UC Santa Barbara's highest level recruit to date. His first season with the UCSB Gauchos men's soccer team was in 2005. He immediately made an impact with the team, starting in 21 games while scoring 3 goals and assisting on 5 more for 11 points. For his efforts, Avila was named to the College Soccer News All-Freshman First Team as well as being the Big West Conference
Freshman of the Year.
2006 was a huge year for Avila with him starting 25 games. He scored 8 goals and had 5 assists for 21 points, the highest on the team. He outscored eventual professionals in Bryan Byrne
, Tyler Rosenlund
, Andy Iro
, and Tino Nuñez
. Avila led the Gauchos to the 2006 Division I Men's College Cup
in St. Louis, Missouri
where they won the Division I National Championship over Southern California
rivals UCLA
Bruins
. It marked the Gauchos' first ever NCAA Championship in soccer, with Avila scoring the game winning goal. He was awarded a spot on the All-College Cup Team in addition to a spot on the NSCAA/adidas
Second Team as well as the College Soccer News Third Team and All-Far West First Team.
In 2007, Avila appeared in 20 games, starting 18 of them. He scored 4 more goals and added 8 more assists for 16 points on the season. His career totals amount to 66 games (64 starts), 15 goals, 18 assists, and 48 points. He was a Hermann Trophy
candidate for the season and was named to the NSCAA/adidas
All-Far West Second Team.
During his college years, Avila also played in the USL Premier Development League
for the San Fernando Valley Quakes
and Ventura County Fusion
.
contract and he was subsequently drafted in the 2nd Round (19th Overall) by FC Dallas
in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.
Avila made his MLS debut for FC Dallas
as an 85th minute substitute against the Houston Dynamo
in a 1-1 tie on 26 June 2008. He earned his first MLS career assist on a header by Abe Thompson
during stoppage time helping FC Dallas
to a 1-1 tie against the Kansas City Wizards
on July 4, 2008. and scored his first senior goal on June 20, 2009, in a game against Columbus Crew
.
In December 2008, Eric traveled to England
with fellow FC Dallas
teammates Bruno Guarda
, Josh Lambo
, and Anthony Wallace
along with other Generation Adidas
players for friendlies against the reserve squads of Chelsea
, Reading
, and Aston Villa. He will graduate from the MLS Generation Adidas
program at the end of the 2010 season. In July 2011 it was announced that Eric had been transferred on a loan to F.C. Atlas
for 6 months, but the loan deal fell through.
On August 2, 2011, FC Dallas traded Avila to Toronto FC
for Maicon Santos. Four days later Avila made his debut for the team against DC United in a 3-3 away draw. Avila scored his first goal for Toronto on August 27 in a 1-1 home draw against San Jose Earthquakes
.
in Fall of 2003. He made his first appearance with US U-17's at the age of 15 against England
. He went on to earn 9 international caps with the U-17's, appearing in 15 total matches. The total was the highest of the 1987 boys class. His last appearance came in Spring of 2005.
He helped lead the U.S. to the finals of the Ballymena International Tournament held in Northern Ireland
, which he regards as one of his most memorable moments in sports. He also participated in the Mondial Minimes Montaigu Vendee Tournament held in France
. In addition to tournaments, he played in a number of matches against Major League Soccer
teams, including Los Angeles Galaxy
, Chicago Fire, and Columbus Crew
, while scoring the game-tying goal in a friendly against the San Jose Earthquakes
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Youth and college
Avila played club soccer in San Diego, initially for the San Diego Crusaders and later for the La Jolla Nomads, the same club as US National TeamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
players Frankie Hejduk
Frankie Hejduk
Frank Daniel "Frankie" Hejduk is an American soccer player who currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer. He formerly played as right back for Columbus Crew, where he was team captain, and the United States national team.-Youth and College:Hejduk attended San Dieguito High...
and Steve Cherundolo
Steve Cherundolo
Steven Emil "Steve" Cherundolo is an American soccer defender who is the captain of Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga, where he has spent his entire club career. He played for the United States men's national soccer team at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.-Early life:Cherundolo grew up in...
. With the Nomads, he helped the team to a U.S. Club Soccer National Championship, Disney Showcase tournament championship, and Coast Premier League regular season title.
He also attended La Costa Canyon High School
La Costa Canyon High School
La Costa Canyon High School is one of the high schools in the San Dieguito Union High School District. Located on 88 acres in south Carlsbad in northwest San Diego County, La Costa Canyon opened in September, 1996. The students attending La Costa Canyon live in Encinitas and south Carlsbad...
in Carlsbad, California
Carlsbad, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Carlsbad had a population of 105,328. The population density was 2,693.1 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Carlsbad was 87,205 White, 1,379 African American, 514 Native American, 7,460 Asian, 198 Pacific Islander, 4,189 from other...
before entering the US U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
. Avila led La Costa Canyon to the Avocado League title and a CIF
California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
Division I Finals berth as a sophomore. During the season, he was named the Avocado League MVP. Eric Avila was also a member of Chivas USA's U-19 club before he enrolled at UC Santa Barbara.
Avila was recruited to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara
The University of California, Santa Barbara, commonly known as UCSB or UC Santa Barbara, is a public research university and one of the 10 general campuses of the University of California system. The main campus is located on a site in Goleta, California, from Santa Barbara and northwest of Los...
by head coach Tim Vom Steeg
Tim Vom Steeg
Timothy Harold "Tim" Vom Steeg is an American collegiate soccer head coach who is currently with the University of California, Santa Barbara men's soccer team. He has been with the Gauchos since 1999 and is the most successful coach in the history of UC Santa Barbara...
. Upon his signing, he was regarded as UC Santa Barbara's highest level recruit to date. His first season with the UCSB Gauchos men's soccer team was in 2005. He immediately made an impact with the team, starting in 21 games while scoring 3 goals and assisting on 5 more for 11 points. For his efforts, Avila was named to the College Soccer News All-Freshman First Team as well as being the Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
Freshman of the Year.
2006 was a huge year for Avila with him starting 25 games. He scored 8 goals and had 5 assists for 21 points, the highest on the team. He outscored eventual professionals in Bryan Byrne
Bryan Byrne
Bryan Byrne is an Irish soccer midfielder who currently plays for amateur team Doxa Italia in the United States.-Youth and College:...
, Tyler Rosenlund
Tyler Rosenlund
Tyler Robert Rosenlund is an Canadian soccer player currently playing for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.-College and amateur:...
, Andy Iro
Andy Iro
Andrew "Andy" Iro is an English footballer who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
, and Tino Nuñez
Tino Nuñez
Agustin "Tino" Nuñez is an American soccer player.-Youth and College:Nuñez was a four year letter-winner at Millikan High School in Long Beach, California. With Nuñez on the squad, Millikan ran to four consecutive Moore League Championships as well as one CIF Championship in Nuñez's junior year...
. Avila led the Gauchos to the 2006 Division I Men's College Cup
2006 Division I Men's College Cup
The 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship was a tournament of 48 teams from NCAA Division I who played for the NCAA Championship in soccer. The College Cup Final Four was held at Hermann Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. All the other games were played at the home field of the higher-seeded...
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
where they won the Division I National Championship over Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
rivals UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
Bruins
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins are the sports teams for University of California, Los Angeles . The Bruin men's and women's teams participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Pacific-12 Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation . For football, they are in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I...
. It marked the Gauchos' first ever NCAA Championship in soccer, with Avila scoring the game winning goal. He was awarded a spot on the All-College Cup Team in addition to a spot on the NSCAA/adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
Second Team as well as the College Soccer News Third Team and All-Far West First Team.
In 2007, Avila appeared in 20 games, starting 18 of them. He scored 4 more goals and added 8 more assists for 16 points on the season. His career totals amount to 66 games (64 starts), 15 goals, 18 assists, and 48 points. He was a Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
candidate for the season and was named to the NSCAA/adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
All-Far West Second Team.
During his college years, Avila also played in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
for the San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
and Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion is an American soccer team based in Ventura, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in...
.
Professional
Avila decided to forgo his senior season as professional clubs started to show interest. Avila decided to sign a Generation AdidasGeneration adidas
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry of American players into MLS...
contract and he was subsequently drafted in the 2nd Round (19th Overall) by FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.
Avila made his MLS debut for FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
as an 85th minute substitute against the Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
in a 1-1 tie on 26 June 2008. He earned his first MLS career assist on a header by Abe Thompson
Abe Thompson
Abraham Broman "Abe" Thompson is an American soccer player currently playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
during stoppage time helping FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
to a 1-1 tie against the Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
on July 4, 2008. and scored his first senior goal on June 20, 2009, in a game against Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
.
In December 2008, Eric traveled to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with fellow FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
teammates Bruno Guarda
Bruno Guarda
Bruno Ernesto Guarda is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.-College:...
, Josh Lambo
Josh Lambo
Josh Lambo is an American soccer player currently playing for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:Born in Michigan, Lambo moved with his family to Chicago, Illinois when he was a small child...
, and Anthony Wallace
Anthony Wallace (soccer)
Anthony Wallace is an American soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
along with other Generation Adidas
Generation adidas
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry of American players into MLS...
players for friendlies against the reserve squads of Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, and Aston Villa. He will graduate from the MLS Generation Adidas
Generation adidas
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry of American players into MLS...
program at the end of the 2010 season. In July 2011 it was announced that Eric had been transferred on a loan to F.C. Atlas
F.C. Atlas
Club Social y Deportivo Atlas de Guadalajara is a Mexican football club. Atlas is one of three teams that play in Guadalajara, Mexico, along with Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Estudiantes Tecos in the Primera División de México...
for 6 months, but the loan deal fell through.
On August 2, 2011, FC Dallas traded Avila to Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
for Maicon Santos. Four days later Avila made his debut for the team against DC United in a 3-3 away draw. Avila scored his first goal for Toronto on August 27 in a 1-1 home draw against San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
.
International
Avila entered the US U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, FloridaBradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
in Fall of 2003. He made his first appearance with US U-17's at the age of 15 against England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He went on to earn 9 international caps with the U-17's, appearing in 15 total matches. The total was the highest of the 1987 boys class. His last appearance came in Spring of 2005.
He helped lead the U.S. to the finals of the Ballymena International Tournament held in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, which he regards as one of his most memorable moments in sports. He also participated in the Mondial Minimes Montaigu Vendee Tournament held in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In addition to tournaments, he played in a number of matches against Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
teams, including Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
, Chicago Fire, and Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
, while scoring the game-tying goal in a friendly against the San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
.
UC Santa Barbara
- NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship (1): 20062006 Division I Men's College CupThe 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship was a tournament of 48 teams from NCAA Division I who played for the NCAA Championship in soccer. The College Cup Final Four was held at Hermann Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. All the other games were played at the home field of the higher-seeded...
FC Dallas
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Western Conference Championship (1): 20102010 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2010 Major League Soccer season was the 98th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 32nd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 15th in MLS history. It began on March 25 at Seattle's Qwest Field with Seattle Sounders FC defeating the expansion...