FC Dallas midfielder Eric Avila is traveling to Guadalajara today to visit CF Atlas Guadalajara, which has expressed interest in acquiring Avila on a six-month loan.
The 23-year-old former UC Santa Barbara standout has played 359 minutes for FC Dallas in 2011, scoring one goal and notching two assists on the season. Avila is perhaps best known for his late-game heroics in FC Dallas' 2010 run to MLS Cup, scoring the winning goal over Real Salt Lake in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinal at Pizza Hut Park. The club went on to win the first Western Conference championship in franchise history.
Avila scored his first career MLS goal on June 20, 2009 vs. the Columbus Crew, winning MLS Goal of the Week honors.
Club Atlas is one of three Mexican professional clubs located in Guadalajara that play in the Primera División. Established in 1916, they have won the Primera División once and competed in Copa Libertadores twice. They are known for developing top young talent, many of whom have gone on to play important roles for the Mexican National Team. Rafael Márquez, now of the New York Red Bulls, is among the most well-known alumni of the Atlas development system.
