Favian Loyola

The goal that changed how Favian Loyola was seen in Chile came in the 88th minute against Barracas Central, in the Copa Sudamericana, with his side a goal down. He found a way through and levelled the score.

He was born at the Camp Lejeune marine base in North Carolina to a Chilean father, a former Universidad de Chile player, and an Italian mother. That background let him switch football nationality after coming through United States youth teams, where he won an MLS Next U17 title and the Slovenia Nations Cup with the US Under-19s, and was named MVP of the MLS Next All-Star match.

Orlando City signed him to their MLS Next Pro side in 2022 and handed him a Homegrown contract with the first team a year later, and he made his MLS debut in July 2023. Weeks later he underwent surgery to remove a blood clot in his arm, which ended his season. He returned in 2024 and logged 25 appearances for the reserve side, but the club chose not to renew his contract at the end of 2025, a moment he described as a closed door.

Audax Italiano signed him as a free agent in January 2026 on a one-year deal, and he has featured in 25 matches across all competitions this season. He had already scored on his debut for Chile's Under-20 side, against Australia, but was left out of the squad for the home Under-20 World Cup in October 2025, with the coaching staff citing his lack of recent game time.