Eric Avila

Infobox Football biography
playername = Eric Avila


fullname = Eric Humberto Avila
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|11|24
cityofbirth = San Diego, California
countryofbirth = United States
height = height|ft=5|in=8
position = Midfielder
currentclub = FC Dallas
clubnumber = 24
youthyears =
2005–2007
youthclubs = La Costa Canyon High School
UC Santa Barbara
years = 2006
2007
2008–
clubs = San Fernando Valley Quakes
Ventura County Fusion
FC Dallas
caps(goals) = 003 0(0)
010 0(1)
011 0(0)
nationalyears = 2003–2005
nationalteam = United States U-17
nationalcaps(goals) = 009 0(?)
pcupdate = 03:33, 13 September 2008 (PDT)
ntupdate =

Eric Avila (born 24 November 1987, in San Diego, California, United States) is an American soccer midfielder currently playing for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.

Amateur career

Pre-UC Santa Barbara

Avila played club soccer in San Diego for the La Jolla Nomads, the same club as US National Team 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. [ [http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080919&content_id=189405&vkey=pr_cdc&fext=.jsp&team=t120 Where Are They Now? Former Chivas USA U-19 Player Eric Avila Notches Assists For FC Dallas] From http://web.mlsnet.com, Posted 19 September 2008.]

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. [ [http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/stats/2005-2006/teamcume.html 2005 Cumulative Season Statistics] From http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com, Posted 23 November 2005.] 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. [ [http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/stats/2006-2007/teamcume.html 2006 Cumulative Season Statistics] From http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com, Posted 03 December 2006.] 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. [ [http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/stats/2007-2008/teamcume.html 2007 Cumulative Season Statistics] From http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com, Posted 02 December 2007.] 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.

Avila decided to forgo his senior season as professional clubs started to show interest. Avila decided to sign a Generation Adidas contract and he was subsequently drafted in the 2nd Round (19th Overall) by FC Dallas in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.

Professional career

Avila made his MLS debut for Dallas as an 85th minute substitute against Houston Dynamo on 26 June 2008. [ [http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080626&content_id=168690&vkey=news_fcd&fext=.jsp&team=t104 Cooper "El Capitan" with header] From http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com, Posted 26 June 2008.] He scored his first professional point (an assist) on 04 July 2008 in stoppage time to even up the game. [ [http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080704&content_id=170445&vkey=news_fcd&fext=.jsp&team=t104 Stoppage-time goal gives FCD draw] From http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com, Posted 04 July 2008.]

International career

Avila entered the US U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida in Fall of 2003. [http://ussoccer.com/common/stContent.jsp_82-sro.html U.S. Soccer Residency Overview/All-Time Roster] From http://ussoccer.com.] 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.

In 2006, Avila participated in U-20 camps, but never had an appearance with the team. In 2007, he was called up to a U-23 camp, but again did not appear.

ee also

*List of current MLS players

References

External Links

* [http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t104&player=avila_e&playerId=avi360127&statType=current FC Dallas profile]
* [http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/avila_eric00.html UC Santa Barbara profile]