Jewish Midfielder Taylor Davila's Near Miss with Israeli Soccer

Taylor Davila, described as the best Jewish midfielder many Israelis don't know, had a brief trial with Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv in December 2022. At the time, Hapoel Tel Aviv was struggling at the bottom of the league, and Davila's trial coincided with significant turmoil, including the resignation of the professional manager and head coach following a heavy 6-0 loss. Amidst this instability, Davila trained briefly with Hapoel Petah Tikva in the second division but ultimately chose to pursue an opportunity in Norway.

Davila, who grew up in the Los Angeles Galaxy academy and played for their reserve team, also played college soccer at UC Berkeley. After leaving the Galaxy without a senior team appearance, he joined Rio Grande Valley FC in the USL Championship, the second tier of American soccer. His performance there, with six goals and five assists in his first season, led to a transfer to Louisville City FC, a top team in the league.

In his first season with Louisville City, Davila played a more advanced role, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists, earning him a spot in the league's All-Star team for the second consecutive year. His coach, Danny Cruz, praised his "tactical awareness and exceptional quality on the ball." In subsequent seasons, Davila adapted to a more defensive role, contributing significantly with assists and defensive plays, earning him the league's MVP award in one season.

Currently, Davila continues to be a key player for Louisville City, often playing as a defensive midfielder, contributing seven assists this season despite not scoring. The article suggests his skillset, including speed, vision, defensive commitment, and a preference for a more advanced role, could make him a suitable fit for Israeli soccer. Davila has reportedly expressed openness to returning to Israel in the future, potentially for a club in the Israeli Premier League.