Matt Nocita
{{Short description|American soccer player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Matt Nocita
| fullname = Matthew Nocita
| image =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|4|24}}
| birth_place = Porter Ranch, California, United States
| position = Defender
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
|youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2018
|youthclubs1 = Real So Cal
|collegeyears1 = 2018–2022
|college1 = Navy Midshipmen
|collegecaps1 = 59
|collegegoals1 = 6
| years1 = 2022–2023 | clubs1 = New York Red Bulls | caps1 = 1 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2022–2023 | clubs2 = New York Red Bulls II | caps2 = 23 | goals2 = 1
| pcupdate = January 31, 2025
}}
Matthew Nocita (born April 24, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who last played as a defender for MLS side New York Red Bulls.
Youth and College
Nocita attended Oaks Christian School, where alongside soccer he competed in track and field and lacrosse while in high school. Nocita earned Academic First Honors in 2015 and 2016, while garnering Academic Highest Honors in Fall 2016 and Head Masters List in Spring 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://navysports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/matt-nocita/19635|title=Matt Nocita - Men's Soccer|website=Naval Academy Athletics}} He also played club soccer for USSDA side Real So Cal.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ussoccerda.com/20170624-Real-So-Cal-Stays-Alive-With-2-0-Win-Over-Capital-Area-Railhawks-CASL|title=U.S. Soccer Development Academy|website=www.ussoccerda.com|access-date=September 5, 2022|archive-date=September 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904201345/http://www.ussoccerda.com/20170624-Real-So-Cal-Stays-Alive-With-2-0-Win-Over-Capital-Area-Railhawks-CASL|url-status=dead}} In December 2016, it was announced that Nocita had committed to attending the United States Naval Academy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/high-school-soccer-article/recruiting-roundup:-december-19-25_aid41195|title=Recruiting Roundup: December 19–25 | High School Soccer News|website=TopDrawerSoccer.com}}
During his college career, Nocita made 59 appearances for the Midshipmen, scoring six goals and tallying two assists. He earned numerous accolades for the Navy during his time at college, been named a three-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, 2021 FCAC Defensive Player of the Year, and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American.
Professional
On January 11, 2022, Nocita was drafted by the New York Red Bulls as the 7th pick of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, after they traded up twice to acquire the pick.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/new-york-red-bulls-land-matthew-nocita-after-superdraft-trades-with-chicago-mont|title=RBNY land Matthew Nocita after SuperDraft trades with Chicago, Montréal | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}} Following his selection, Nocita was required to apply to delay his Navy service to allow him to play professional.{{Cite web|url=http://www.metrofanatic.com/story.jsp?ID=8377|title=Matt Nocita permitted to delay Navy service - MetroStars / Red Bull New York - Major League Soccer|website=www.metrofanatic.com}} On August 25, 2022, Nocita signed a contract with New York Red Bulls.{{cite news |title=New York Red Bulls sign SuperDraft pick Matt Nocita |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/new-york-red-bulls-sign-superdraft-pick-matt-nocita |website=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=August 26, 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/new-york-red-bulls-sign-2022-first-round-superdraft-pick-matt-nocita|title=New York Red Bulls Sign 2022 First Round SuperDraft Pick Matt Nocita|first=New York Red|last=Bulls|website=New York Red Bulls}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{MLS player|matthew-nocita|Matthew Nocita}}
{{RedBullsFirstPick}}
{{2022 MLS SuperDraft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nocita, Matt}}
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Navy Midshipmen men's soccer players
Category:New York Red Bulls draft picks
Category:New York Red Bulls players
Category:New York Red Bulls II players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Soccer players from Los Angeles County, California
Category:USL Championship players