Efraín Álvarez

Efraín Álvarez (born 19 June 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Liga MX club Tijuana. Born in the United States, he plays for the Mexico national team. He was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2019".[2]

Efraín Álvarez
Personal information
Full name Efraín Álvarez
Date of birth (2002-06-19) 19 June 2002
Place of birth East Los Angeles, California, United States
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Tijuana
Number 26
Youth career
2016–2017 LA Galaxy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 LA Galaxy II 20 (13)
2019–2023 LA Galaxy 94 (6)
2023– Tijuana 3 (0)
International career‡
2016 United States U15 4 (4)
2017 Mexico U15 9 (1)
2018–2019 Mexico U17 25 (13)
2022 Mexico U21 4 (2)
2021– Mexico 4 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Mexico
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Runner-up2021 United StatesTeam
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Second place2019 BrazilTeam
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 October 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 June 2022

Club career

LA Galaxy II

Born in Los Angeles, California, Álvarez signed with LA Galaxy II of the United Soccer League on August 2, 2017.[3] In signing with the side, Álvarez became the youngest signing in USL history, ahead of the previous holder Alphonso Davies, at 15 years, one month, and 14 days.[3] Álvarez made his professional debut for LA Galaxy II on October 7, against Portland Timbers 2, he came on as a 46th-minute substitute for Adrian Vera as LA Galaxy II won 3–2.[4] In playing, Álvarez became the youngest player to ever play a USL match.[5] Álvarez was moved to parent club LA Galaxy ahead of their 2018 season, but was loaned back to the reserve team.[6]

LA Galaxy

Álvarez made his senior team debut on March 2, 2019, and assisted on a goal during a 2–1 victory over the Chicago Fire.[7] On September 2, 2020 Álvarez scored his first MLS goal against the Portland Timbers, the first in a 3–2 win.[8]

Tijuana

On 8 September 2023, Álvarez joined Liga MX club Tijuana.[9] He made is debut shortly after on Tijuanas 2-1 victory over Toluca on September 15, 2023, being substituted in for Eduardo Armenta in the 90th minute.

International career

Álvarez was eligible to play for the United States or Mexico, having been born in the United States to Mexican parents. He currently represents Mexico at the senior level after playing for the United States at the U-15 youth level, and once stated, "I'm not closing the door on anyone. I could still play for the U.S. or I could keep playing for Mexico. But I'm with Mexico right now and that's my focus."[10]

Álvarez originally represented the United States U15's. In April 2016, he served as their captain at the 2016 International Festival of Fútbol in Rosario, Argentina, starting all three matches and leading the United States to the title. In the opening match against Talleres de Córdoba, Álvarez scored three goals and assisted two more goals in a 5–1 victory.[11] He also scored against Uruguay U15s in a 2–0 win.[12] In June 2016, Álvarez was again called to the United States U15s, for a four-team tournament in Zagreb, Croatia in which he made one start against Croatia U15s.[13]

Álvarez began playing for Mexico U15's in September 2016.[14] He scored a brace for them in a friendly 7–0 win over the Cayman Islands U17 on August 11, 2017.[15] He also represented the Mexico U15s in their championship-winning run at the 2017 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship, and provided the game-winning assist against his previous team, the United States U15s.[16]

Álvarez debuted for the Mexico U17's team in a 1–0 win over the Argentina U17's, and scored the only goal in the match.[17] He was included in the roster that would participate at the 2019 U-17 World Cup.[18] He scored four goals in the tournament, scoring the winning goal from a free-kick in the semi-final against the Netherlands[19] as Mexico finished runner-up against Brazil.[20]

In November 2020, Álvarez was called-up to the United States national team for a friendly match in Fort Lauderdale against El Salvador. However, he did not receive any playing minutes in that match due to not having yet filed a one-time switch to FIFA in order to officially play for the United States.[21][22]

In March 2021, Álvarez was called-up to the Mexico national team for friendly matches against Wales and Costa Rica. On March 30, he made his debut with the national team against Costa Rica, coming on as a substitute for Jesús Manuel Corona during the second half for a 1–0 victory.[23]

In June 2021, Álvarez confirmed his commitment to Mexico over overtures to play for the United States.[24] A few days later, he replaced the injured Rodolfo Pizarro on the upcoming 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad.[25] On July 10, 2021, his appearance as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago permanently cap-tied him to Mexico.[26]

In May 2022, Álvarez was included in the under-21 roster that participated in the 2022 Maurice Revello Tournament,[27] scoring two goals, Mexico finished third.[28]

Personal life

Efraín is the younger brother of professional soccer player Carlos Alvarez.[29]

Career statistics

Club
As of 8 October 2023[30]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
LA Galaxy II 2017 USL10———10
2018 1712———1712
2019 21———21
Total 2013———2013
LA Galaxy 2019 MLS 14022—2[lower-alpha 1]0182
2020 161———161
2021 262———262
2022 28340—1[lower-alpha 2]0333
2023 100——1[lower-alpha 1]0110
Total 9466200401048
Tijuana 2023–24 Liga MX 30———30
Career total 1171962004012721
  1. Appearances in Leagues Cup
  2. Appearance in MLS Cup Playoffs

International
As of match played 14 July 2021[31]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Mexico 202140
Total40

Honours

Mexico U17

Individual

References
  1. "Efraín Álvarez". LA Galaxy. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  2. "Next Generation 2019: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. October 10, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  3. "LA Galaxy II sign LA Galaxy Academy midfielder Efrain Alvarez". LA Galaxy. August 2, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  4. "LA Galaxy II 3-2 Portland Timbers 2". Soccerway.
  5. "Efrain Alvarez youngest". LA Galaxy II (Twitter).
  6. "LA Galaxy". www.mlssoccer.com.
  7. Boehm, Charles (March 2, 2019). "LA Galaxy Homegrown Efrain Alvarez sparks comeback win on MLS debut". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  8. ""Changed" LA Galaxy Homegrown standout Efrain Alvarez lauded for first MLS goal".
  9. "LA Galaxy transfer Efraín Álvarez to Club Tijuana". MLS Soccer. September 8, 2023.
  10. "LA Galaxy's Efrain Alvarez remains open to USMNT international switch". www.mlssoccer.com.
  11. "USA Soccer U-15s win 2016 fire International Festival of Futbol". www.starsandstripesfc.com. April 12, 2016.
  12. "U-15 BNT Defeats Uruguay 2-0 to Win 2016 International Festival of Futbol". www.ussoccer.com.
  13. "U-15 BNT FINISHES FOUR-TEAM TOURNAMENT IN ZAGREB, CROATIA". www.ussoccer.com.
  14. "Mexico raids Galaxy academy for 14-year-old star". www.socceramerica.com.
  15. "La SNM Sub-15 venció a Islas Caimán - Mi Seleccion". miseleccion.mx.
  16. chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com, CHRIS HOCKMAN - (May 24, 2018). "Los Dos' Efrain Alvarez Kept Grounded by Family".
  17. "La SNM Sub-17 cerró su gira con empate. - Mi Seleccion". miseleccion.mx.
  18. "Revelan lista del Tri para Mundial Sub-17; la encabeza la 'joya' que Zlatan alaba".
  19. "LA Galaxy's Efrain Alvarez shines at FIFA Under-17 World Cup for Mexico".
  20. "Brazil beat Mexico for U-17 World Cup title amid VAR controversy".
  21. "Sources: LA Galaxy duo Efrain Alvarez, Julian Araujo in USMNT squad". www.espn.com. November 27, 2020.
  22. "Efraín Álvarez entrenará con EU por cortesía, pero quiere seguir con México". Goal (in Spanish). Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  23. "U.S.-born Efrain Alvarez makes Mexico debut as Lozano scores only goal against Costa Rica". March 31, 2021.
  24. "Official: Efraín Álvarez commits to Mexico national team". AS.com. June 26, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  25. "Rodolfo Pizarro es baja de la Selección Mexicana; Efraín Álvarez toma su lugar". June 28, 2021.
  26. Rodriguez, Alicia (July 11, 2021). "Efrain Alvarez's international future sealed after being cap-tied by Mexico". LAG Confidential. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  27. "Mexico announce squad for 2022 Toulon Tournament". FMF State of Mind. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  28. "Tri Sub-21 se queda con el tercer lugar del Maurice Revello tras derrotar a Colombia". Mediotiempo. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  29. chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com, CHRIS HOCKMAN- (May 24, 2018). "Los Dos' Efrain Alvarez Kept Grounded by Family". USL Championship.
  30. Efraín Álvarez at Soccerway
  31. Efraín Álvarez at National-Football-Teams.com
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