It’s been quite the few weeks for Las Vegas Lights FC midfielder Edison Azcona. Shortly after joining the Lights on a permanent basis from Major League Soccer side Inter Miami CF in a club-record deal, Azcona departed for France to represent the Dominican Republic at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
When the Dominican Republic takes the field in their opening group stage match against Egypt on July 24 (8:00 a.m. PT; Telemundo), it will be a historic moment for Azcona and the nation alike, as this summer marks the first time that the DR has qualified for the Olympics in men’s soccer.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to be here,” said Azcona from team camp in France. “Having the opportunity to represent my country in the Olympics and it being my country’s first time coming to the Olympics is definitely huge for me. I’m very proud of it.”
Azcona, 20, earned this opportunity because of his excellent play in his first season in Vegas after an impressive run as an Inter Miami Homegrown Player. He was a member of Miami’s inaugural academy class and became Miami’s first Homegrown to appear in an MLS match.
The talented attacking midfielder has been a key cog for the Lights in Head Coach Dennis Sanchez’s first season at the helm.
“Coach Dennis has given me the confidence and opportunity to be playing minutes regularly,” said Azcona. “I’ve been welcomed very well by the team, the players, the staff, the fans. I appreciate everything that Las Vegas has given me already. Moving to Las Vegas by myself has already helped me mature mentally as a person and as a player.”
Azcona has excelled at the youth international levels with the Dominican Republic. He captained his country at the 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship before representing the DR at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. There, he made history by scoring the DR’s first goal at any World Cup competition.
Now, Azcona has the chance to showcase his abilities on the world stage. The DR will compete in Group C alongside Uzbekistan, Egypt and Spain, whose senior team just won the 2024 European Championship. Some of the globe’s brightest young stars will be on display, and Azcona can’t wait to test his mettle against them.
“I feel very excited to be able to play against those players and these national teams,” said Azcona. “I love playing against high-level players and challenging myself because I feel like I’m a very ambitious player.
“The team we’ve brought to the Olympics is one of the better teams that we’ve seen from the DR national team,” he continued. “Our first goal is to win against Egypt in our first game then to [advance out of] the group and get as far as we can. In the end, the goal is a medal.”
Azcona understands the ramifications of having a productive showing. It’s a chance to help his budding, promising career reach new levels both domestically and internationally.
“I’m here representing my country as well as my club and my family,” Azcona said. “The Olympics is one of the biggest football stages in the world. If I have a good tournament, then my career can only go up from here.”
