David Loera (born September 10, 1998) is a professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL League One side Lexington SC. Born in Spain, he has represented the United States at youth level.

David Loera
Personal information
Full name David Loera
Date of birth (1998-09-10) September 10, 1998 (age 25)
Place of birth Zaragoza, Spain[1]
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Lexington SC
Number 98
Youth career
2012–2017 Orlando City
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 NC State Wolfpack 57 (9)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Orlando City B 7 (0)
2018 SIMA Águilas 4 (0)
2019 North Carolina U23 0 (0)
2020–2021 Orlando City 3 (0)
2021Phoenix Rising (loan) 11 (0)
2022–2023 San Antonio FC 17 (2)
2024– Lexington SC 0 (0)
International career
2016 United States U19 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of January 26, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of February 4, 2016

Career edit

Early career edit

As a youth, Loera played with the Orlando City Development Academy team.[2] In July 2016, Loera made his Orlando City B debut in USL, coming on as a 54th minute substitute against Louisville City, the first player to appear for Orlando's USL affiliate while still in the academy.[3] He made seven appearances for the team between 2016 and 2017.

College career edit

In February 2017, Loera signed a letter of intent to play college soccer at North Carolina State University.[4] In three seasons at NC State, Loera started in all 57 of his appearances for the Wolfpack, scoring nine goals and adding 15 assists.[5] Ahead of his final season, he was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and reached No. 13 on Top Drawer Soccer’s Men’s National Top-100 list, the highest ranked player in the Atlantic Coast Conference.[6]

Orlando City edit

Ahead of the 2020 season, Loera returned to Orlando City, signing a multi-year Homegrown contract with the club.[6] He made his professional debut on 3 October 2020 as a stoppage time substitute in a 3–1 win over New York Red Bulls.[7]

On September 9, 2021, Loera joined Phoenix Rising of the USL Championship on loan for the rest of the season.[8] Loera had his contract option declined by Orlando City at the end of the 2021 season.[9]

San Antonio FC edit

On January 11, 2022, Loera signed with USL Championship club San Antonio FC.[10]

Lexington SC edit

Loera joined USL League One club Lexington SC on January 26, 2024.[11]

International edit

In 2016, Loera was called up to the United States U19 squad by head coach Brad Friedel for the Copa de Atlantico tournament.[12] He played in all three games as the United States lost 1–0 to Spain U19, 5–0 to France U19, and 1–0 to the Canary Islands.[13][14][15]

Career statistics edit

Club edit

As of November 8, 2021[16]

Club Season League Cup Continental Playoffs Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Orlando City B 2016 USL 2 0 2 0
2017 5 0 5 0
Total 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Orlando City 2020 MLS 2 0 0 0 2 0
2021 1 0 1[a] 0 0 0 2 0
Total 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
Phoenix Rising (loan) 2021 USL Championship 11 0 11 0
Career total 21 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 22 0

References edit

  1. ^ "David Loera profile". www.mlssoccer.com.
  2. ^ "Orlando City SC". ocsc.ussoccerda.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  3. ^ Rollins, Sean (October 13, 2017). "From Orlando to Raleigh, David Loera Continues to Shine". The Mane Land.
  4. ^ "37 Orlando City Youth Soccer Players Sign National Letters of Intent". Orlando City Soccer Club. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  5. ^ "David Loera – 2019 – Men's Soccer". NC State University Athletics.
  6. ^ a b "Orlando City SC Signs Top Prospect, David Loera, to MLS Homegrown Contract". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  7. ^ "Orlando City SC 3, New York Red Bulls 1 2020 MLS Match Recap". mlssoccer.com.
  8. ^ "Orlando City SC Loans David Loera to Phoenix Rising FC". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  9. ^ "Orlando City Exercises Contract Options on 11 Players Following 2021 MLS Season". Orlando City SC.
  10. ^ "San Antonio Announces Arrival of David Loera". January 11, 2022.
  11. ^ Bramley, J. "Lexington Sporting Club adds midfielder David Loera". LexSporting.com. Lexington SC. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  12. ^ "ACADEMY: Six players called into U-19 USYNT". www.fcdallas.com.
  13. ^ "U.S. U-19 MNT falls to Spain 1-0 in Copa del Atlantico". SoccerWire.
  14. ^ "U.S. U-19 MNT falls to Canary Islands in Copa del Atlantico". SoccerWire.
  15. ^ "U.S. U-19s overwhelmed by France in Copa de Atlantico". SBI Soccer. February 4, 2016.
  16. ^ "USA – D. Loera – Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved August 12, 2021.

External links edit