Iñigo Villaldea Named "Midfielder to Watch" by United Soccer Coaches

SAN DIEGO – Iñigo Villaldea of the Aztec men's soccer team was named a "Midfielder to Watch" in the 2022 season by the United Soccer Coaches.

Villaldea (Gijón, Spain), who will be one of SDSU's captains in 2022, has stabilized the Aztecs' defensive midfield the past two seasons. In 2021, he tied for the team-lead with four assists and was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team and to the All-Region Second Team, making him the first Aztec to earn All-Region Second Team honors (or better) since 2016.

"Iñigo has blossomed into one of the best box-to-box midfielders on the west coast so it's exciting to see him recognized by the committee," Head coach Ryan Hopkins said. "We look forward to his continued development this season and the contributions he brings to our program on a daily basis."
 
Villaldea was one of 26 midfielders selected and one of just three Pac-12 players to be recognized.
 
The Player to Watch lists are selected by the Division I All-America Committees and includes United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and first or second team All-Region players from 2021, who are scheduled to return for the 2022 season.