Eric Avila

Chivas USA acquired Mexican-American midfielder Eric Avila in a trade with the Colorado Rapids in exchange for midfielder Nick LaBrocca. Avila’s rights were acquired by Colorado in the 2012 Re-Entry Draft from Toronto FC. The 25-year-old spent two seasons in Toronto after being traded by FC Dallas during the 2011 season. Avila recorded career-highs for games played (24), games started (16) and minutes played (1,366) last season with the Reds, while recording a goal and three assists.

Avila was traded to Toronto FC on August 2, 2011 from FC Dallas. The midfielder originally signed a Generation adidas contract and was drafted in the 2nd round (19th overall) in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. In four seasons for Dallas, Avila made 63 appearances including 13 in 2011 with five starts, scoring one goal and adding two assists. He played his college career at UC Santa Barbara and won the 2006 NCAA Men’s National Championship. Avila has also represented the United States at the U-20 and U-17 levels.

PROFESSIONAL

2012: Avila recorded career-highs for games played (24), games started (16) and minutes played (1,366) in 2012 with the Reds, while recording a goal and three assists.

2011: Appeared in nine matches, started in eight following his trade to Toronto, logging 774 minutes. Avila scored one goal and added two assists for Toronto FC. He scored his first goal as a member of Toronto FC against San Jose on Aug. 27 in a 1-1 draw. Prior to the trade, Avila played in 13 matches for FC Dallas, starting in five while scoring one goal and adding one assist, logging 515 minutes. CONCACAF Champions League: Did not play in Preliminary Round for FC Dallas but was on roster making him ineligible to feature for Toronto FC during competition.

2010: Appeared in 18 matches, starting in one; while scoring one goal and adding one assist, and logged 452 minutes for FC Dallas. 2010 Playoffs: Appeared in two matches and scored one goal for FC Dallas, logging 18 minutes. His game- winning goal came in the 88th minute against Real Salt Lake in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals.

2009: Appeared in 18 matches and scored one goal and added two assists while logging 332 minutes for FC Dallas.

2008: Appeared in 14 matches, starting in three, adding two assists over 508 minutes for FC Dallas.

INTERNATIONAL

2007: called in for a U-23 camp in January…made his fi rst U.S. appearance with U-17’s at the age of 15 vs. England in 2003. 2006: Participated in camps with the U.S. U-20 National Team. 2003-2005: Entered the U.S. U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, FL...

COLLEGE

2005-2007: Finished his college career with 15 goals and 18 assists in three years at UCSB… Earned All-Big West First Team honors as well in addition to being named to the NSCAA All-Far West Second Team in 2007… was a MAC Hermann Trophy candidate in 2007…scored four goals and tallied a career-high eight assists in 2007…in 2006 he scored a career-high eight goals… scored winning goal in UCSB’s first-ever National Championship in 2-1 win over UCLA in Dec. 2006 in NCAA College Cup…earned Big West Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2005 after leading all newcomers with three goals and five assists.

PERSONAL

Full name is Eric Humberto Avila…played club soccer in San Diego for the La Jolla Nomads, the same club as U.S. National team players Frankie Hedjuck and Steve Cherundolo...attended La Costa Canyon high school before moving to Bradenton in 2003…His favorite video game is “FIFA Soccer”...listens to hip hop and R&B…lists The Fresh Prince of Bel Air as one of his favorite shows… Son of Julio and Maria, who were born in Mexico… has two younger brothers, Adrian and Christian... fluent in Spanish…nicknamed “Avi”.