Orlando City signs former Chivas USA midfielder Eric Avila

ORLANDO (Via Orlando City SC) – Orlando City Soccer Club has signed Midfielder Eric Avila via the Major League Soccer (MLS) Allocation Ranking the Club announced on Feb. 2. Per Club and league policy, additional terms were not disclosed.

“Eric is a very flexible midfielder who we think will be able to help us in a variety of ways,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “He’s an experienced player who has played in this league for quite some time now, so we’re delighted to have him with us for the 2015 season.”

Avila joins the Lions after spending seven seasons in MLS – appearing in 153 matches for clubs such as FC Dallas, Toronto FC and most recently Chivas USA. In 2014, the San Diego, California, native started in 26 matches for Chivas – logging 2171 minutes and one assist.

Avila, of Mexican descent, made his MLS debut for FC Dallas in a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo on June 26, 2008. Two years later, the midfielder played a key role in FC Dallas’ journey to the MLS Cup in 2010 – scoring the game-winning goal in the 88th minute against Real Salt Lake in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Additionally, the experienced midfielder has earned numerous caps at the international level, appearing in 30 matches for the U.S. U-17 and U-20 Men’s National Teams.

Transaction: Orlando City SC Acquires Eric Avila via MLS Allocation Ranking
Name: Eric Avila (Eric Ah-ve-la)
Date of Birth: 11/24/1987
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 150 lbs.
Birthplace: San Diego, California
Citizenship: United States of America
Twitter: @EricAvila12