Sean Davis (soccer, born 1993)

Sean Davis

Davis with the New York Red Bulls in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Sean Akira Davis [1]
Date of birth	(1993-02-08) February 8, 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth	Long Branch, New Jersey, United States
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	LA Galaxy
Youth career
2008–2009	Match Fit Academy
2009–2011	New York Red Bulls
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2014	Duke Blue Devils	65	(8)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013	Carolina Dynamo	9	(2)
2014	New York Red Bulls U-23	11	(3)
2015–2016	New York Red Bulls II	10	(1)
2015–2021	New York Red Bulls	172	(4)
2022–2024	Nashville SC	91	(1)
2025–	LA Galaxy	0	(0)
International career‡
2008–2009	United States U17	8	(0)
2010	United States U18	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 23, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of April 4, 2015

Sean Akira Davis (born February 8, 1993) is an American professional soccer player. He plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Nashville SC.

Early life

Born in Long Branch, New Jersey, Davis grew up in Holmdel Township with his parents Lynn Yamada Davis, who would later become a celebrity chef on TikTok and YouTube, and Keith Davis. ^{[2] [3]}

Youth

Davis was a member of several youth clubs growing up, including the Holmdel Bulldogs, the NJSA 04 Academy, the Match Fit Academy, and the New York Red Bulls academics program.

Early career

College

Davis was a two-time captain at Duke University, where he made a total of 65 appearances for the Blue Devils. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference in assists his senior year. Davis was a three-time All-ACC selection, a three-time member of the All-ACC Academic Team, the 2014 ACC Midfielder of the Year, a CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team selection, and a Lowe's Senior Class First Team honoree. ^{[4] [5]}

He also played in the Premier Development League for Carolina Dynamo in 2013. ^[6] During the 2014 summer season, Davis played for the New York Red Bulls U-23 in the National Premier Soccer League. He helped the team capture the 2014 NPSL title appearing as a starter in the league final, where he registered the game winning assist. ^[7]

Club career

New York Red Bulls

On December 11, 2014, Davis signed a homegrown contract with the New York Red Bulls, making him the ninth homegrown signing in club history. ^[8]

2015

Sean Davis in 2015 playing for the New York Red Bulls

On April 4, 2015, he made his professional debut for USL affiliate club New York Red Bulls II, helping the team secure its first ever victory with a 4–1 win over Toronto FC II. ^[9] Davis assisted the first ever goal scored for the New York Red Bulls II, with a wonderful cross to Anatole Abang. ^[10]

On April 17, 2015, Davis made his MLS debut in a 2–0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes, coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute for Sacha Kljestan. ^[11] Shortly after his debut, Davis received his first start on May 2, 2015, in a 2–1 loss to the New England Revolution. Davis scored his first professional goal against the Atlanta Silverbacks in the U.S. Open Cup. He received Man of the Match honors for his efforts. ^[12] On July 23, 2015, Davis led New York to a 4–2 victory over Premier League Champions Chelsea F.C. in a 2015 International Champions Cup match, scoring two goals in the victory. ^[13] On July 28, 2015, Davis started and played 45 minutes in the 2015 Chipotle Homegrown Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The team was coached by Landon Donovan. ^[14] Davis' contributions off the bench during the 2015 season helped lead New York to their second Supporters' Shield in two years. ^[15]

2016

On August 12, 2016, Davis scored his first MLS goal in a 2–2 draw against the LA Galaxy. ^[16] A week later, on August 13, Davis scored his second goal of the season and assisted on two others in a 3–1 victory over Montreal Impact. ^[17] Davis was later named to the MLS Team of the Week for his performance. ^[18] In the league's annual 24 Under 24 series, Davis was ranked as the 22nd best player under the age of 24 in the league; drawing praise from pundits about his intelligence and ability to read the game. ^[19]

Davis played every minute of the group stage as the New York Red Bulls qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League quarter finals for the first time in club history.

2017

On July 19, 2017, Davis opened the scoring for New York in a 5–1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes. ^[20] On August 12, Davis recorded a goal and an assist in a 3–1 victory over Orlando City SC. ^[21] In 2017, Davis appeared in a career high 30 MLS matches, including 23 starts.

2018

On March 1, 2018, Davis scored the second goal of the match for New York in a 2–0 victory over Olimpia in the CONCACAF Champions League. ^[22] With the victory New York advanced to the Champions League Quarterfinals for the first time in club history.

On March 6, 2018, Davis started and played 90 minutes for New York in a 2–0 victory over Club Tijuana in the CONCACAF Champions League Quarter Finals. The New York Red Bulls made history that night, becoming the first Major League Soccer side to defeat a Liga MX team away in the knockout round of CONCACAF Champions League. ^[23]

2019

On February 27, 2019, Davis scored his first goal of the season in 3–0 victory over Atlético Pantoja in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. ^[24]

2020

On February 27, 2020, Davis was named captain of the club, the first homegrown player to do so. On August 20, Davis recorded his 100th MLS regular season start in a 1–0 win against NYCFC. He became the club's first homegrown player to ever reach this milestone.

2021

On October 2, 2021, Davis made his 200th appearance for the New York Red Bulls. ^[25] He was only the third player in club history to reach this milestone, and the first ever homegrown player. By season's end, he also became the first midfielder in franchise history to play every minute of an MLS regular season. Davis led the team to their second straight playoff since becoming captain in the season prior.

Nashville SC

Sean warming up as a sub for Nashville SC in 2023

On January 4, 2022, Davis signed with Nashville SC on a three-year deal as a free agent. ^[26]

LA Galaxy

On December 19, 2024, Davis was traded to LA Galaxy in exchange for Gastón Brugman. ^[27]

International career

Davis was a member of the U.S. under-17 residency program from 2008 to 2009. ^[28]

Career statistics

As of November 19, 2021

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League		Playoffs		National cup		Continental		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
New York Red Bulls	2015	14	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	16	1
	2016	21	2	0	0	2	0	4	0	27	2
	2017	27	2	3	0	5	0	2	0	37	2
	2018	32	0	4	0	1	0	5	1	42	1
	2019	30	0	1	0	1	0	4	1	36	1
	2020	14	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
	2021	34	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	34	0
	Total	172	4	9	0	11	1	15	2	207	7
New York Red Bulls II (loan)	2015	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
	2016	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1
	Total	10	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	11	1
Career total		182	5	10	0	11	1	15	2	218	8

Honors

New York Red Bulls

• MLS Supporters' Shield: 2015, 2018

New York Red Bulls II

• USL Cup: 2016

References

1. "2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup – Club roster: Nashville SC (USA)" (PDF). CONCACAF. January 30, 2024. p. 17. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
2. "Feb. 8 Births - Monmouth Medical Center". Asbury Park Press. March 17, 1993. p. 101. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
3. Moses, Claire (January 12, 2024). "Lynn Yamada Davis, Whose Cooking TikToks Delighted Millions, Dies at 67". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
4. "Davis Signs Contract with New York Red Bulls" . Retrieved April 4, 2015.
5. "2014 ALL-ACC MEN'S SOCCER TEAMS ANNOUNCED". ACC Men's Soccer. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
6. "2013 Carolina Dynamo stats". USLPDL.com. Premier Development League. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
7. "U23S win NPSL Championship". newyorkredbulls.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
8. "Red Bulls sign Homegrown Player Sean Davis to MLS contract for 2015 season". NewYorkRedBulls.com. New York Red Bulls Communications. December 11, 2014. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
9. "MATCH RECAP: Red Bulls II 4, Toronto FC II 1". NewYorkRedBulls.com. New York Red Bulls Communications. April 4, 2015. Archived from the original on May 10, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
10. "IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE Red Bulls II roll over Toronto FC II, 4–1". BigAppleSoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
11. "MATCH RECAP: New York Red Bulls 2, San Jose Earthquakes 0". newyorkredbulls.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
12. "MATCH RECAP: New York Red Bulls 3, Atlanta Silverbacks 0" . Retrieved June 17, 2015.
13. "New York Red Bulls 4, Chelsea 2: Sean Davis scores brace as Red Bulls shock Premier League champs". mlssoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
14. "SEAN DAVIS: Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game recap" . Retrieved July 29, 2015.
15. "New York Red Bulls win 2015 MLS Supporters' Shield". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. October 22, 2015.
16. "POST-GAME NOTES: New York Red Bulls 2, LA Galaxy 2". newyorkredbulls.com. New York Red Bulls. August 7, 2016.
17. "New York Red Bulls 3, Montreal Impact 1". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. August 13, 2016.
18. "2016 Team of the Week (Wk 23): BWP breaks record as Red Bulls get huge win". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. August 15, 2016.
19. "Sean Davis 24 Under 24". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer.
20. "New York Red Bulls 5, San Jose Earthquakes 1 – 2017 MLS Match Recap". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. July 19, 2017.
21. "Second-Half Surge Paces New York Past Orlando, 3–1". newyorkredbulls.com. New York Red Bulls. August 12, 2017.
22. "Post-Match Notes: Red Bulls Defeat CD Olimpia, 2–0; Face Tijuana in CCL Quarterfinals". newyorkredbulls.com. New York Red Bulls. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
23. "Robles, Wright-Phillips help Red Bulls to historic win at Tijuana". ESPN.com. March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
24. "RBNY dispatch "explosive" Atletico Pantoja in CCL, turn focus to Santos". NewYorkRedBulls.com.
25. "FRANCHISE MILESTONE | Sean Davis, 200 Appearances". newyorkredbulls.com. New York Red Bulls. October 4, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
26. "Nashville Soccer Club Signs Two-Time Supporters' Shield Champion Sean Davis".
27. "Nashville Soccer Club Acquires Audi 2024 MLS Cup MVP Gastón Brugman and up to $100,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money from LA Galaxy in Exchange for Sean Davis". Nashville SC.
28. "US Under-17 Mens National Team". ussoccer.com.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}

External links

• Sean Davis at Major League Soccer
• Duke University bio