Alex Bono Bio
Alexander Nicholas Bono, born on April 25, 1994, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution. Standing 191 centimeters tall, Bono has built a reputation across MLS as a reliable shot-stopper, most notably during a long tenure with Toronto FC, where he set club records for single-season clean sheets and accumulated the most career MLS wins by a Toronto FC goalkeeper. He is also a former senior international, having represented the United States national team.
Bono came through the U.S. Soccer Development Academy system with Empire United before starring at Syracuse University, where he emerged as a first-team All-American and a top professional prospect. After being drafted sixth overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, he went on to play for Toronto FC, D.C. United, and New England Revolution, establishing himself as one of the more consistent American goalkeepers of his generation.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Nicholas Bono was born on April 25, 1994, in Syracuse, New York, and was raised in the nearby suburb of Baldwinsville, New York. He attended Charles W. Baker High School, where he played as a two-year starter for the school team known as the Bees. During the later years of his high school career, Bono committed full-time to U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Empire United, a path that sharpened his daily training environment and prepared him for the college level.
Coming out of high school, Bono was regarded as the top goalkeeper recruit in the state of New York and the 51st highest prospect of his graduating class nationally. His combination of size, athleticism, and shot-stopping instincts made him an attractive college target, and he opted to stay close to home by joining Syracuse University. His progression through the youth and academy ranks gave him a strong foundation in professional-style training habits before he ever played a college match.
Path to Professional Soccer
At Syracuse University, Bono became the immediate starter for the Syracuse Orange men’s soccer program. As a true freshman in 2012, he started in 20 matches and became the first true freshman goalkeeper to start a season opener for the Orange since Robert Cavicchia in 2005. That season he recorded a career-high eight saves during the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament against the VCU Rams on November 18, 2012, and matched that mark against the Georgetown Hoyas later in the tournament. He was voted to the Big East Conference All-Rookie Team and named Syracuse’s Rookie of the Year.
During his sophomore year, Bono maintained similar statistical production and was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference Third Team. His junior year marked his emergence as a top professional prospect, as he helped the Orange reach top national rankings, earn a ninth overall seed in the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament, and advance to the fourth round of the bracket before being eliminated by Georgetown. That season he was also named a first-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, cementing his status as a likely early MLS SuperDraft selection.
Alex Bono Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Before going pro, Bono spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons with Reading United in the USL Premier Development League, gaining senior-level minutes outside of college. That developmental experience helped him adjust to the physical and tactical demands of professional soccer, and it positioned him as a polished prospect entering the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
On January 15, 2015, Bono was selected sixth overall by Toronto FC in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, where he was regarded as the highest-rated goalkeeper in his draft class. Shortly afterward, on March 20, 2015, he was loaned to Toronto FC II, and he made his debut against the Charleston Battery on March 21. He also received his first senior United States men’s national team training camp call-up on January 9, 2015, signaling his arrival on the broader American soccer landscape.
Toronto FC Breakthrough (2015–2022)
Bono’s path to the Toronto FC first team began with a breakthrough in 2016. Following an injury to regular starter Clint Irwin in July 2016, head coach Greg Vanney promoted Bono to the starting role, and he went on to make 16 MLS appearances that year. He also started the second leg of the 2016 Canadian Championship final against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on June 29, helping Toronto lift the trophy on away goals. Although Irwin later reclaimed the starting job for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs, Toronto reached the 2016 MLS Cup Final, where they fell to Seattle Sounders FC 5–4 on penalties after a 0–0 draw.
The 2017 season marked Bono’s true arrival as one of the league’s top goalkeepers. After another injury to Irwin in the spring, Bono was again promoted to the starting lineup and by September 2017 had cemented his place as Toronto’s outright first-choice goalkeeper. He broke the club record for most clean sheets by a goalkeeper in a single season with 10, finished with the second-highest clean-sheet total in MLS behind Stefan Frei, and won more games than any other MLS goalkeeper that season with 19. He also surpassed Frei’s mark for most career MLS wins by a Toronto FC goalkeeper, produced 72 saves, posted a 69.2 percent save percentage, and averaged 1.12 goals against per game.
Bono’s form carried into the postseason, as he conceded only two goals across Toronto’s playoff run and made eight saves, including clean sheets in both legs of the Eastern Conference Final against Columbus Crew. On December 9, 2017, he kept a clean sheet in Toronto’s 2–0 victory over Seattle Sounders in the 2017 MLS Cup Final at BMO Field, completing an unprecedented treble of the MLS Cup, the Supporters’ Shield, and the Canadian Championship. He remained Toronto’s first-choice goalkeeper through the end of his contract following the 2022 season, after which he departed the club.
D.C. United Era (2023–2024)
On December 14, 2022, Bono signed as a free agent with D.C. United on a one-year deal, bringing veteran MLS experience to the club’s goalkeeping group. He featured for the team across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, providing depth and competition for the starting role.
Following the 2024 season, D.C. United declined his contract option, opening the door for his next move in Major League Soccer.
New England Revolution Era (2025–Present)
Bono joined New England Revolution as a free agent, where he continues his MLS career. His arrival adds an experienced, championship-winning goalkeeper to the Revolution’s roster and gives the club a proven presence between the posts.
Playing Style and Strengths
Bono is a tall, commanding goalkeeper at 191 centimeters who excels in shot-stopping and organizing his back line. His statistical peaks at Toronto FC, including a 69.2 percent save percentage and a 1.12 goals-against average, reflect a goalkeeper who can deliver double-digit clean sheets in a season. He has historically thrived in high-pressure matches, producing decisive performances in MLS Cup runs and Eastern Conference Finals.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bono’s defining moment came on December 9, 2017, when he kept a clean sheet in Toronto FC’s 2–0 MLS Cup Final win over Seattle Sounders, completing a domestic treble. He also owns the Toronto FC single-season clean-sheet record with 10 shutouts in 2017, and surpassed Stefan Frei’s mark for the most career MLS wins by a Toronto FC goalkeeper. On the international stage, he made his senior United States debut on May 28, 2018, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 friendly win over Bolivia at Talen Energy Stadium.
Alex Bono Career Wins
Across his club career, Bono has been part of trophy-winning sides in MLS and the Canadian Championship, most prominently during Toronto FC’s historic 2017 treble. He has also accumulated individual statistical milestones, including the Toronto FC single-season clean-sheet record and a Toronto FC career wins mark for goalkeepers.
Toronto FC Highlights
Bono won the 2017 MLS Cup, 2017 Supporters’ Shield, and 2017 Canadian Championship with Toronto FC, and also contributed to the 2016 Canadian Championship victory. His 2017 individual totals included 10 clean sheets, 19 wins, 72 saves, and an MLS-leading win total for goalkeepers. He departed Toronto FC as the club’s all-time leader in goalkeeper career MLS wins.
Other Wins and Performances
With Reading United in 2013 and 2014, Bono gained valuable senior experience in the USL Premier Development League, helping lay the groundwork for his MLS career. His clean sheet on senior international duty against Bolivia in May 2018 stands as another notable performance outside of club play.
Alex Bono Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Publicly available details about Bono’s parents and wider family are limited, and there is no widely documented soccer lineage in his family background. He grew up in Baldwinsville, New York, and his development was shaped by local youth programs rather than a family tradition in the sport.
Personal Life
Alexander Nicholas Bono was born and raised in the Syracuse, New York area. Verified information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available in the reviewed sources.
2025 Season Performance
Following the end of his time with D.C. United after the 2024 season, Bono joined New England Revolution ahead of the 2025 MLS campaign. His signing provides the Revolution with an experienced starting-caliber goalkeeper coming off a long stretch of MLS appearances.
At 31 years old in 2025, Bono is in the prime years of his career and is expected to compete for the starting role in New England. His track record of double-digit clean-sheet seasons, particularly his record-breaking 2017 campaign, gives the Revolution a proven foundation in goal.
Throughout the 2025 season, Bono’s outlook centers on delivering consistent shot-stopping, contributing to a settled defensive structure, and helping New England compete in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. His prior championship experience with Toronto FC also positions him as a mentor figure for younger goalkeepers within the Revolution organization.