Salvatore Mazzaferro Explained

Salvatore Mazzaferro
Birth Date:11 October 2001
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Austin FC II
Clubnumber:5
Youthclubs1:Bolton SC
Youthclubs2:FC London
Youthclubs3:Brampton SC
Youthclubs4:Atletico Toronto
Youthyears5:2017–2019
Youthclubs5:Toronto FC
Collegeyears1:2019–2022
College1:South Florida Bulls
Collegecaps1:59
Collegegoals1:1
Years1:2018
Caps1:8
Goals1:0
Years2:2022
Caps2:8
Goals2:0
Years3:2023–
Caps3:47
Goals3:3
Club-Update:16:50, 19 August 2024 (UTC)

Salvatore Mazzaferro (born October 11, 2001) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for MLS Next Pro club Austin FC II.

Early life

Born in Toronto, Canada, Mazzaferro is of Italian descent through his grandparents.[1] Mazzaferro began playing youth soccer with Bolton SC. After his family moved to London, Ontario, he began playing with FC London, later moving on to play with Brampton SC and Atletico Toronto.[2] He later joined the Toronto FC Academy.[3]

College career

In 2019, he began attending the University of South Florida, where he played for the men's soccer team.[4] On August 29, 2019, he made his collegiate debut in a match against the Maryland Terrapins.[5] At the end of his freshman season, he was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team and the All-Academic Team.[6] [7] On March 6, 2021, he recorded his first assist, in a match against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.[8] On March 20, 2021, he scored his first collegiate goal, in a match against the SMU Mustangs.[9] After his sophomore season, he was named to the All-AAC Second Team and was once again named to the All-Academic Team.[10] [11] Ahead of his junior season, he was named to the preseason All-Conference team,[12] and after the season, he was once again named an All-Conference Second Team.[13]

Ahead of his senior season, he was once again named to the preseason All-Conference team[14] and was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Week in October.[15] At the end of the season, he was named to the All-Conference Second Team for the third time, and was also named to the All-East Region Third Team.[16] [17]

Club career

In 2018, he played with Toronto FC III in League1 Ontario.[18]

In 2022, he played with Tormenta FC 2 in USL League Two.[19]

In December 2022, Mazzaferro was selected in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Austin FC.[20] [21] In March 2023, he signed a professional contract with their second team Austin FC II, in MLS Next Pro.[22] On June 18, 2023, he scored his first goal in a 4-0 victory over Portland Timbers 2.[23] He won the MLS Next Pro title with the club in 2023.[24]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubLeagueSeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational cupContinentalTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Toronto FC III2018League1 Ontario8080
Tormenta FC 22022USL League Two8080
Austin FC II2023MLS Next Pro27340313
20242000011211
Career total6334010684

Honours

Austin FC II

2023

Notes and References

  1. Web site: USF Standout Sal Mazzaferro Looks for a Long Run for Himself and the Bulls in the NCAA Tourney. November 16, 2023. USF Bulls.
  2. Web site: Bolton youngster keen to forge a career in the beautiful game. March 19, 2020. Robert. Belardi. Caledon Citizen.
  3. Web site: 'All blood, sweat, tears finally paid off': USF defender looks to make his mark with MLS club. December 30, 2022. Leo. Santos. WTSP.
  4. Web site: Bob Butehorn signs Salvatore Mazzaferro. November 19, 2018. South Florida Bulls.
  5. Web site: USF Battles No. 1 Maryland; Falls to Defending NCAA Champ 1-0. August 29, 2019. South Florida Bulls.
  6. Web site: Four Bulls Earn Postseason AAC All-Conference Honors. November 12, 2019. USF Bulls.
  7. Web site: USF Men’s Soccer Places 18 on AAC All-Academic Team. July 30, 2020. USF Bulls.
  8. Web site: Salvatore Mazzferro USF profile. USF Bulls.
  9. Web site: USF Battles SMU in a Match-Up of AAC Powers, However Falls Short 3-2. March 20, 2021. USF Bulls.
  10. Web site: Four Bulls Earn Postseason AAC All-Conference Honors. April 14, 2021. USF Bulls.
  11. Web site: Record 254 Bulls Named to American All-Academic Team. July 8, 2021. USF Bulls.
  12. Web site: USF’s Sal Mazzaferro Named Preseason All-Conference. August 19, 2021. USF Bulls.
  13. Web site: Four Bulls Earn Postseason AAC Honors; Takase Tabbed Co-Goalkeeper of the Year. November 9, 2021. USF Bulls.
  14. Web site: USF Men’s Soccer Places Two on AAC Preseason All-Conference Team. August 23, 2022. USF Bulls.
  15. Web site: USF's Sal Mazzaferro Named AAC DPOW; Segun Afolabi Earns Honor Roll Recognition. October 10, 2022. USF Bulls.
  16. Web site: USF Men's Soccer Standouts Salvatore Mazzaferro and Brian Schaefer Earn AAC Honors. November 9, 2023. USF Bulls.
  17. Web site: USF Men's Soccer Standout Sal Mazzaferro Named to USC All-East Region Third Team. December 13, 2022. USF Bulls.
  18. Web site: Sal Mazzaferro 2018 L1O Stats. League1 Ontario.
  19. Web site: Salvatore Mazzaferro 2022 USL2 Stats. USL League Two.
  20. Web site: Pros Start Here: Tormenta FC 2’s J.C. Ngando, Holden Trent, Salvatore Mazzaferro Selected in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. December 21, 2022. Edwin. Pintor. Tormenta FC.
  21. Web site: December 23, 2023. USF Bulls. USF's Sal Mazzaferro Drafted in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft Third Round by Austin FC.
  22. Web site: Austin FC II Adds Three MLS SuperDraft Picks to MLS NEXT Pro Roster . March 3, 2023 . Austin FC.
  23. Web site: Austin FC II defeats Timbers2, 4-0. June 18, 2023. Austin. Mucchetti. Austin FC.
  24. Web site: Austin FC II’s "Defense Travels" to Championship Victory in Inaugural Season. October 27, 2023. Julian. Veliz.