Aidan O'Connor (soccer)

Aidan O'Connor
Personal information
Full name Aidan Charles O'Connor
Date of birth (2001-10-07) October 7, 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 New York Red Bulls
Number 23
Youth career
West Michigan Fire
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Western Michigan Broncos 22 (2)
2022–2023 Virginia Cavaliers 31 (1)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– New York Red Bulls 1 (0)
2024– → New York Red Bulls II (loan) 10 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of March 25, 2024

Aidan Charles O'Connor (born October 7, 2001) is an American soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls.

Early life

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, O'Connor played youth soccer with the West Michigan Fire.[1]

O'Connor attended Forest Hills Northern High School, where he played for the boys soccer team, winning the state title in 2019 and named an All-American in 2018 and 2019.[2][3] In 2019, he earned Michigan's Mr. Soccer honors,[4] and was named the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year in both 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.[5][6][7]

College career

In 2020, O'Connor began attending Western Michigan University, where he played for the men's soccer team.[8] On August 26, 2021, he scored his first collegiate goal in a match against the Virginia Cavaliers.[9] At the end of the 2021 season, he was named to the MAC All-Academic Team.[10]

In 2022, he transferred to the University of Virginia to play for the men's soccer team for his junior season.[11] On September 13, 2022, he scored his first goal for Virginia in a victory over the La Salle Explorers.[12] After the 2022 season, he was named to the Virginia All-State Second Team and the All-ACC Academic Team.[13][14] On October 31, 2023, he was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week.[15][16] At the end of the 2023 season, he was named to the Academic All-District Team and the ACC All-Academic Team.[17][18]

Club career

At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, O'Connor was selected in the first round (12th overall) by the New York Red Bulls.[19][20] In January 2024, he signed a one-year contract with the club with options for 2025, 2026, and 2027.[21][22] O'Connor was sent on loan to MLS Next Pro side New York Red Bulls II during the 2024 season. On March 17, 2024, O'Connor made his professional debut, appearing as a starter in a 2-0 victory for New York Red Bulls II over Columbus Crew 2. [23] On June 1, 2024, O'Connor made his first team and Major League Soccer debut, in a 1-0 victory over Orlando City SC. [24]

Career statistics

As of June 6, 2024[25]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Playoffs National Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
New York Red Bulls 2024 Major League Soccer 1 0 0 0 — 0 0 1 0
New York Red Bulls II (loan) 2024 MLS Next Pro 10 0 0 0 1 0 — 11 0
Career total 11 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 12 0

References

  1. ^ "Aidan O'Connor Western Michigan profile". Western Michigan Broncos.
  2. ^ Van Gilder, Rachel; Doles, Jack (December 28, 2023). "Forest Hills Northern grad drafted to Major League Soccer". WOOD-TV.
  3. ^ "Aidan O'Connor Virginia profile". Virginia Cavaliers.
  4. ^ Kaminski, Steve (November 12, 2019). "Forest Hills Northern's 'scary dude' named Michigan's Mr. Soccer". MLive Media Group.
  5. ^ Kaminski, Steve (June 6, 2019). "Forest Hills Northern's Aidan O'Connor named state's top soccer player". MLive Media Group.
  6. ^ Patterson, Derek (June 11, 2020). "Incoming men's soccer defender Aidan O'Connor wins second straight Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year".
  7. ^ "O'Connor Repeats as Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year". Western Michigan Broncos. June 10, 2020.
  8. ^ "Men's Soccer Adds Three More for 2020 Season". Western Michigan Broncos. April 13, 2020.
  9. ^ "Broncos Fall Late at Virginia, 2-1". Western Michigan Broncos. August 26, 2021.
  10. ^ "Men's Soccer Lands 10 on Academic All-MAC Team". Western Michigan Broncos. December 23, 2021.
  11. ^ "Virginia Men's Soccer Announces 2022-23 Incoming Class". Virginia Cavaliers. May 26, 2022.
  12. ^ "Virginia Scores Five in Win Over La Salle". Virginia Cavaliers. September 13, 2022.
  13. ^ "Cavaliers Earn Four VaSID Awards, Place Eleven on All-State Teams". Virginia Cavaliers. January 18, 2023.
  14. ^ "Virginia Lands 16 All-ACC Academic Men's Soccer Honors". Virginia Cavaliers. February 1, 2023.
  15. ^ "ND's Nto, UVa's O'Connor Notch ACC Men's Soccer Player of Week Honors". Atlantic Coast Conference. October 31, 2023.
  16. ^ "O'Connor Named ACC Defensive Player of the Week". Virginia Cavaliers. October 31, 2023.
  17. ^ "Six Cavaliers Named to CSC Academic All-District Team". Virginia Cavaliers. November 21, 2023.
  18. ^ "Twelve Cavaliers Named to All-ACC Academic Team". Virginia Cavaliers. February 1, 2024.
  19. ^ "New York Red Bulls Select University of Virginia Defender Aidan O'Connor in 2024 MLS SuperDraft". New York Red Bulls. December 19, 2023.
  20. ^ Lewis, Michael (December 19, 2023). "For the Defense: Red Bulls take UVA center back O'Connor as 12th overall pick in MLS draft". Front Row Soccer.
  21. ^ "New York Red Bulls Sign MLS SuperDraft Selection Aidan O'Connor to MLS Contract". New York Red Bulls. January 26, 2024.
  22. ^ Macolino, Matteo (January 26, 2024). "Red Bulls sign draft selection Aidan O'Connor to MLS contract". Jersey Sporting News.
  23. ^ "New York Red Bulls II Open 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Season with 2-0 Win Over Columbus Crew 2". New York Red Bulls. March 18, 2024.
  24. ^ Vazzano, Andrew (June 1, 2024). "Tolkin Free Kick Powers Red Bulls to Three Points". New York Red Bulls.
  25. ^ Aidan O'Connor at Soccerway. Retrieved June 6, 2024.