Afonso Makes First Team Debut for Inter Miami

HARRISON, N.J. — Former Virginia men’s soccer standout, Leo Afonso, made his debut as a first team player for Inter Miami on Saturday afternoon (March 23) in a 4-0 defeat to New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. Former Cavalier defender Aidan O’Connor, who was selected 12^th overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, was also named as an available substitute for New York Red Bulls.

We have signed Leo Alfonso, Pep Casas and Ricardo Montenegro on short-term agreements from the Club’s MLS NEXT Pro team Inter Miami CF II. The players will be available for today’s match against the New York Red Bulls at 2PM ET at Red Bull Arena.

Details: https://t.co/huQHb2vQlm pic.twitter.com/UY9K9axgVV

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 23, 2024

Inter Miami announced this morning (March 23) that the club has signed Afonso on a short-term agreement from the Club’s MLS NEXT Pro team Inter Miami CF II. Afonso was the 32^nd pick in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft.

Afonso came on as a substitute and attempted one shot. In the 77^th minute, Afonso slipped in a pass to Noah Allen who chipped the goalkeeper to score for Inter Miami. However, the goal was disallowed due to a foul in the build-up.

59’ I #PubSub x @Publix

IN: Y. Bright
OUT: L. Sunderland

IN: L. Afonso
OUT: R. Taylor#RBNYvMIA pic.twitter.com/4PRfOdyN8r

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 23, 2024

Afonso marks the first of Virginia’s 2024 draft class to make his MLS debut.