Aidan O'Connor (soccer) explained

Aidan O'Connor
Fullname:Aidan Charles O'Connor
Birth Date:7 October 2001
Birth Place:Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Position:Defender
Currentclub:New York Red Bulls
Clubnumber:23
Youthclubs1:West Michigan Fire
Collegeyears1:2020–2021
College1:Western Michigan Broncos
Collegecaps1:22
Collegegoals1:2
Collegeyears2:2022–2023
College2:Virginia Cavaliers
Collegecaps2:31
Collegegoals2:1
Years1:2024–
Clubs1:New York Red Bulls
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:2024–
Clubs2:→ New York Red Bulls II (loan)
Caps2:10
Goals2:0
Club-Update: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

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
New York Red Bulls2024Major League Soccer1000—0010
New York Red Bulls II (loan)2024MLS Next Pro1000010—110
Career total110001000120

Notes and References

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

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