Aven Alvarez
Alvarez with the NC Courage U23 in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-11-14) November 14, 2006 (age 17)
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s) Fullback
Team information
Current team
North Carolina Tar Heels
Number 4
Youth career
North Carolina Courage Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– North Carolina Tar Heels
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2024 North Carolina Courage U23 14 (1)
International career
2023 United States U-17 2 (0)
2023–2024 United States U-19 6 (0)
2024– United States U-20 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of July 16, 2024

Aven Alvarez (born November 14, 2006) is an American college soccer player who plays as a defender for the North Carolina Tar Heels and the United States national under-20 team.

Early life

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Alvarez was raised in a soccer family in the Fort Liberty area, the oldest of four children born to Laura and Daniel Alvarez. Her father, who serves in the Armed Forces, played professional soccer for the Virginia Beach Mariners.[1][2] Alvarez played competitively by age 10 and joined the NC Courage Academy at 13, with her family moving to the Triangle so she and her siblings could train at a higher level.[2][3] She became the captain of her club team and earned Elite Clubs National League All-American honors in 2022–2023.[1][4] She committed to the University of North Carolina, the alma mater of her soccer idol Emily Fox.[3][5]

Club career

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Alvarez made seven appearances for the NC Courage U23 team in the 2023 USL W League season as the team made it to the national final.[6] She returned in the 2024 season and helped the Courage U23s become national champions, starting in the title game.[7]

International career

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Alvarez made two friendly international appearances for the United States under-17 team in 2023.[8] Later that year, she won bronze with the under-19 team at the 2023 Pan American Games, where they played mostly against other countries' senior sides.[9] She was called up to train with the under-20 team ahead of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Aven Alvarez". North Carolina Tar Heels. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Abramson, Evan (February 26, 2024). "Financial aid program at North Carolina FC Youth Soccer promotes accessibility". Spectrum News 1 North Carolina. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Gallup, Jasmine (July 21, 2023). "The Women's World Cup Will Be Bigger Than Ever This Year—Especially in North Carolina, Where Soccer Stars Are Born". Indy Week. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  4. ^ "ECNL Girls 2022-23 All-American Teams". Elite Clubs National League. August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2024 – via TopDrawerSoccer.
  5. ^ Clark, Travis (September 11, 2023). "SIMA Recruiting Roundup: September 11-17". TopDrawerSoccer. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "Three W League players called up by the United States, fourth named as an alternate". USL W League. October 19, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  7. ^ "NC Courage U23 claims 2024 USL W League title after second-half comeback". USL W League. July 20, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  8. ^ "U.S. U17 WNT Split Games Against England". United States Soccer Federation. February 19, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2024 – via TopDrawerSoccer.
  9. ^ "U19 WNT Finish Second at Pan-American Games". United States Soccer Federation. November 6, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2024 – via TopDrawerSoccer.
  10. ^ "U.S. Under-20 Women's Youth National Team Will Play Two Matches Against Mexico in Athens, GA During Final Training Camp Before 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup". United States Soccer Federation. July 1, 2024.
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