Playing position 2008 Jacksonville Dolphins Role Soccer Player Weight 74 kg Education Jacksonville University | Number 99 Name Tony Taylor Height 1.83 m Career start 2007 | |
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Full name Alejandro Antonio Taylor Date of birth (1989-07-13) July 13, 1989 (age 26) Place of birth Long Beach, California, United States Current team New York City FC (#99 / Forward) Profiles | ||
Alejandro Antonio "Tony" Taylor (born July 13, 1989), is an American soccer player. His positions are striker or secondary striker for New York City FC in Major League Soccer.
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Youth and amateur
Taylor was born in Long Beach, California, but grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended Bishop Kenny High School, moving on to play one year of college soccer at the University of South Florida, before transferring to Jacksonville University as a sophomore. As a Dolphin, Taylor helped the team achieve one of the best seasons in the program’s history. In 2008, with the help of Taylor, the Dolphins went 7-2 in the Atlantic Sun and won the conference tournament. In the NCAA tournament the Dolphins defeated Louisville in their first round matchup with Taylor providing a goal and an assist. He left Jacksonville after his sophomore year, and travelled to Europe intending to turn professional. He trained with Norwegian club IK Start, playing in a pre-season friendly, before signing with Traffic Sports of Brazil.
During his college years Taylor played for the Central Florida Kraze in the USL Premier Development League, netting 10 goals in 7 games, and being named finalist for U-19 PDL player of the year. He was also a member of Jacksonville-based USASA club Lynch's FC's run to the first round of the US Open Cup in 2009.
Professional
In December 2009 Traffic announced that they would be loaning Taylor to G.D. Estoril Praia. He made his league debut on April 18, 2010 against F.C. Penafiel and scored his first goal the following weekend in a 1-0 win against C.D. Aves. Taylor went out on loan to Atletico Clube de Portugal from August until December 2011. Taylor returned to Estoril Praia after his loan spell but did not renew his contract with the club following the 2012-13 season. In August 2014 Taylor was acquired by the New England Revolution of the MLS through a weighted lottery. In December 2014, Taylor was selected by New York City FC as their 5th pick (and 10th overall pick) in the 2014 expansion draft, having been left unprotected by the New England Revolution. On February 10, 2015, Taylor scored the second goal in NYCFC's inaugural pre-season friendly against St. Mirren, the game ended 2-0 in New York's favour.
International
Taylor played with the United States U-20's, participating in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He also played with the United States U-23 Olympic Qualifying team participating in the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
