Red-and-White add the 21-year-old Arizona native, add depth to back line

Carson, Calif. (Monday, Jan. 27, 2014) – Chivas USA announced on Monday the signing of 21-year-old defender Donald Toia. The Arizona native joins the Red-and-White after a season with USL PRO side Phoenix FC and becomes the fourth defensive signing by the club this off-season. Per club and league policy, details of the agreement will not be disclosed.

Toia was originally signed as Real Salt Lake’s first Homegrown Player in 2011 after spending two years in their RSL-Arizona youth system branch. He made five starts in seven appearances for RSL’s Reserve Team.

He then moved on in 2012 to join FC Tucson of the USL PDL, where he competed in 15 matches for his hometown club, tallying five goals and registering two assists. After joining Phoenix FC in 2013, Toia, who can also play as a midfielder, made 24 appearances and recorded six goals, which earned him a Rookie of the Year nomination.

Internationally, Toia has represented the U.S. as part of the U-18 and U-20 National Teams. While with RSL’s academy, he was part of the U-18 side that represented MLS at the JRS World Cup-Comunidad de Madrid (U-18 Club World Cup) tournament in Spain in 2009 as well as the U17s that finished in third place at the 2009 SUM Cup.

Transaction: Chivas USA sign defender Donald Toia as a free agent via discovery.

DONALD TOIA

Full name: Donald Austin Toia

Number: TBD

Position: Defender

Born: 5/28/1992

Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.

Citizenship: USA

Height: 5’8”

Weight: 160

Last Team: Phoenix FC (USL PRO)

Acquired: Free agent via discovery