Alavanja attended Indiana University, playing on the men's soccer team from 1995 to 1998.
In February 1999, the Dallas Burn selected Alavanja with the fourth pick in the 1999 MLS College Draft.
[6] On October 14, 2004, the expansion Chicago Storm of the Major Indoor Soccer League signed Alavanja.
He did not play indoors during the 2006–2007 season and on June 5, 2007, the Storm traded his rights to the New Jersey Ironmen in exchange for a second round pick in the 2007 expansion draft.
[8] In addition to playing the winter indoor seasons, Alavanja signed with the Charleston Battery of the outdoor USL First Division in 2005.