Matt Nocita, the seventh overall selection in the 2022 MLS Superdraft, made his MLS debut for the Red Bulls during Wednesday's match against FC Cincinnati.
He has logged six appearances for New York Red Bulls II this season, and made his first team debut in the US Open Cup match against FC Cincinnati on May 24th.
With the absence of Andrés Reyes limiting the first team depth at the center back position, Nocita entered the match in the 64th minute for his debut. He then promptly shut down a prime goal-scoring opportunity to keep the match at 1-0 at the time.
Nocita was a four-year letterman at United States Naval Academy, where he made 59 starts for the college and logged 5,389 minutes. He was 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. Nocita scored six goals and added two assists over his four years.
The Red Bulls traded up in the 2022 MLS Superdraft to select Nocita and then proceeded to sign him to an MLS contract.
With his first appearance, Nocita became the fifth Red Bulls player to make their MLS debut this season
