Aidan_O'Connor_(soccer)
Aidan O'Connor (soccer)
American soccer player (born 2002)
Aidan O'Connor (born October 7, 2001) is an American soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | (2001-10-07) October 7, 2001 (age 22) | ||
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 |
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]
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]
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]
- Van Gilder, Rachel; Doles, Jack (December 28, 2023). "Forest Hills Northern grad drafted to Major League Soccer". WOOD-TV.
- 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".
- "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 Scores Five in Win Over La Salle". Virginia Cavaliers. September 13, 2022.
- "Virginia Lands 16 All-ACC Academic Men's Soccer Honors". Virginia Cavaliers. February 1, 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.
- 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.
- Macolino, Matteo (January 26, 2024). "Red Bulls sign draft selection Aidan O'Connor to MLS contract". Jersey Sporting News.
- Aidan O'Connor at Soccerway