Avi! Eric Avila is one of the most outspoken members of the Paetra team. And with good reason – he’s been winning accolades in the soccer community since his youth days.
Eric came up through the La Jolla Nomads, where he helped the team to a U.S. Club Soccer National Championship, a Disney Showcase championship, and Coast Premier League title. Avi entered La Costa Canyon HS and earned an Avocado League (that’s how we do it in CA) title, a trip to the CIF finals, and league MVP honors before heading off to U-17 residency.
He spent two years in Bradenton traveling the world, playing several tournaments and friendlies against EU and MLS teams – when he was 15. After time with the U-17s, he went on to a storied college career with UCSB. Making an immediate impact with the Gauchos, Avi became the Big West Conference Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the College Soccer News All-Freshman First Team. The only thing left to top that was winning a College Cup in 2006, against rivals UCLA where Avi scored the game-winner.
Avi left UCSB a year early to pursue a pro career; he was swooped by FC Dallas in the ’08 Superdraft. After tallying 5 goals and 8 assists in his four years in the league, Avi’s brining west coast swag north of the border with Toronto FC.
