Austin Aviza

Austin Aviza
Personal information
Full name Austin William Aviza
Date of birth (1997-02-17) February 17, 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Medway, Massachusetts, United States
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
New England Revolution
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 Syracuse Orange 9 (0)
2017–2018 UConn Huskies 14 (0)
2019 Providence Friars 23 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020 Orlando City B 11 (0)
2021 Richmond Kickers 1 (0)
International career
2013 United States U17
2013 United States U18
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 2, 2021

Austin William Aviza (born February 17, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper.

Early life

Born in Medway, Massachusetts, Aviza started his prep career at Medway High School and earned the Tri-Valley League rookie of the year award. A member of the New England Revolution Academy U16 team at the time, Aviza was invited to be part of the senior team's preseason training camp held in Tucson, Arizona, in February 2014.[1][2][3]

College

Aviza began his college soccer career in 2015 at Syracuse University, starting the first nine matches of the 2015 season for Syracuse Orange after Alex Bono had left school early to be drafted in 2015 and sophomore backup Hendrik Hilpert picked up an injury in preseason. Aviza recorded three shutouts before Hilpert returned to fitness and claimed the starting job with Aviza failing to make another appearance during his two years at Syracuse.[4][5] In January 2017, Aviza transferred to the University of Connecticut but did not see playing time in the 2017 season. In 2018 he appeared in 14 games for the UConn Huskies, registering five shutouts and even tallied an assist on the 88th game-winner in UConn's 2–1 win over Temple on October 20.[6][2] In 2019, Aviza again transferred, this time to Providence College where he began working towards a master's degree in economics while also completing his final year of NCAA eligibility. Aviza kept 11 shutouts in 23 appearances for Providence Friars, helping his team reach the third round of the 2019 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament before losing to #2 ranked Clemson in overtime.[3][7]

Club career

Orlando City B

Aviza was selected in the second round (44th overall) of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City.[8] In March 2020, he signed a professional contract with Orlando City B, the team's USL League One affiliate.[9] On August 1, 2020, he made his debut in the season opener against Tormenta FC, losing 2–0 but making seven saves and winning the save of the week award.[10] He kept his first shutout for the club the following week in a 2–0 victory over New England Revolution II.[11] He made eleven appearances before being released at the end of the season.[12]

Richmond Kickers

On February 15, 2021, Aviza joined USL League One side Richmond Kickers.[13]

International

In 2013, Aviza was called up to the United States under-17 and United States under-18 national teams.[14][15]

References

  1. ^ Lemieux, Jeff. "Academy duo Aviza and Herivaux spending school break learning from the pros". www.revolutionsoccer.net.
  2. ^ a b "Austin Aviza - UConn Men's Soccer". University of Connecticut Athletics.
  3. ^ a b "Austin Aviza - Friars Men's Soccer". Providence University Athletics.
  4. ^ "Syracuse men's soccer backup goalkeeper Austin Aviza announces transfer to Connecticut". The Daily Orange. 11 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Austin Aviza - Syracuse Orange Men's Soccer". Syracuse University Athletics.
  6. ^ "Mbacke Thiam's Two Second-Half Goals Lift No. 13 UConn Past Temple, 2-1". University of Connecticut Athletics. 20 October 2018.
  7. ^ "The New Man in the Net". The Cowl.
  8. ^ Poe, Julia (9 January 2020). "Orlando City adds three players in second round of 2019 MLS SuperDraft". Pro Soccer USA.
  9. ^ Poe, Julia (March 3, 2020). "Orlando City B announces roster for 2020 USL League One season". Pro Soccer USA. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  10. ^ "USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week - Week 3". USL League One. 4 August 2020.
  11. ^ "New England Revolution II vs. Orlando City B - August 7, 2020". uslleagueone.com.
  12. ^ "Orlando City B Announces Roster Statuses Following 2020 Season". orlandocitysc.com.
  13. ^ "Richmond Adds Aviza to Goalkeeping Corps". uslleagueone.com. USL League One. February 15, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  14. ^ "U17 MNT tops U15 BNT at HDC camp". TopDrawerSoccer.com.
  15. ^ "Perez calls in 36 players for U18 MNT camp". TopDrawerSoccer.com.