Aidan O'Connor (soccer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | October 7, 2001 | ||
| 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 | 0 | (0) |
| 2024– | → New York Red Bulls II (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of March 25, 2024 | |||
Aidan O'Connor (born October 7, 2001) is an American soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls.
Early life[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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]
References[edit]
- ^ "Aidan O'Connor Western Michigan profile". Western Michigan Broncos.
- ^ Van Gilder, Rachel; Doles, Jack (December 28, 2023). "Forest Hills Northern grad drafted to Major League Soccer". WOOD-TV.
- ^ "Aidan O'Connor Virignia profile". Virginia Cavaliers.
- ^ Kaminski, Steve (November 12, 2019). "Forest Hills Northern's 'scary dude' named Michigan's Mr. Soccer". MLive Media Group.
- ^ Kaminski, Steve (June 6, 2019). "Forest Hills Northern's Aidan O'Connor named state's top soccer player". MLive Media Group.
- ^ Patterson, Derek (June 11, 2020). "Incoming men's soccer defender Aidan O'Connor wins second straight Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year".
- ^ "O'Connor Repeats as Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year". Western Michigan Broncos. June 10, 2020.
- ^ "Men's Soccer Adds Three More for 2020 Season". Western Michigan Broncos. April 13, 2020.
- ^ "Broncos Fall Late at Virginia, 2-1". Western Michigan Broncos. August 26, 2021.
- ^ "Men's Soccer Lands 10 on Academic All-MAC Team". Western Michigan Broncos. December 23, 2021.
- ^ "Virginia Men's Soccer Announces 2022-23 Incoming Class". Virginia Cavaliers. May 26, 2022.
- ^ "Virginia Scores Five in Win Over La Salle". Virginia Cavaliers. September 13, 2022.
- ^ "Cavaliers Earn Four VaSID Awards, Place Eleven on All-State Teams". Virginia Cavaliers. January 18, 2023.
- ^ "Virginia Lands 16 All-ACC Academic Men's Soccer Honors". Virginia Cavaliers. February 1, 2023.
- ^ "ND's Nto, UVa's O'Connor Notch ACC Men's Soccer Player of Week Honors". Atlantic Coast Conference. October 31, 2023.
- ^ "O'Connor Named ACC Defensive Player of the Week". Virginia Cavaliers. October 31, 2023.
- ^ "Six Cavaliers Named to CSC Academic All-District Team". Virginia Cavaliers. November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Twelve Cavaliers Named to All-ACC Academic Team". Virginia Cavaliers. February 1, 2024.
- ^ "New York Red Bulls Select University of Virginia Defender Aidan O'Connor in 2024 MLS SuperDraft". New York Red Bulls. December 19, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "New York Red Bulls Sign MLS SuperDraft Selection Aidan O'Connor to MLS Contract". New York Red Bulls. January 26, 2024.
- ^ Macolino, Matteo (January 26, 2024). "Red Bulls sign draft selection Aidan O'Connor to MLS contract". Jersey Sporting News.
- ^ "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.
External links[edit]
- Aidan O'Connor at Soccerway