Nelson Akwari
Encyclopedia
Nelson Ndukwe Akwari is an American
soccer player currently with Los Angeles Blues
in the USL Professional Division.
, a private school in Houston known for its prestigious soccer program, before attending USSF
's Bradenton Academy, where he trained with other Under-17 national teamer
s like Landon Donovan
, DaMarcus Beasley
, and Bobby Convey
.
Although he considered turning pro, Akwari instead went to UCLA to play college soccer
. He stayed at UCLA two years, starting every game as a freshman in 2000, and being named second-team All Pac-10 as a sophomore.
won; although Akwari appeared in seven games, he was not particularly impressive, and was traded during the offseason to the Columbus Crew
. Akwari saw little playing time in 2003, appearing in 11 games but starting only five for a mediocre Crew team, while spending a lot of time on loan to A-League
's Cincinnati Riverhawks
. However, in his third year in the league, Akwari began to show much more of the promise that he had as a youth national teamer - he took possession of the starting right back position midseason, and remained there for the rest of the year, ending the season with 16 starts as the Crew won the MLS Supporters' Shield
.
After the 2004 season, Akwari was selected tenth overall by Real Salt Lake
in the Expansion Draft
, reuniting him with old coach John Ellinger
. Akwari played 41 games over the 2005 and 2006 seasons, but was waived by RSL during the 2007 pre-season.
Akwari signed for USL Second Division
side Charlotte Eagles
in April 2007, and scored on his debut against Crystal Palace Baltimore on April 20, 2007; he then signed for Charleston Battery
in early 2008. After two years with Charleston Battery
left Akwari the United States and signed on 26 January 2010 for the Canadian club Vancouver Whitecaps an one year contract. He scored his first professional goal - eight years after making his debut - for Vancouver on April 29, 2010 in a game against the Portland Timbers
.
On October 19, 2010, the Vancouver Whitecaps released Akwari, along with five fellow players, citing their need to purge certain players in preparation for their upcoming promotion to Major League Soccer
.
Akwari joined the expansion Los Angeles Blues
in the USL Pro
league for the 2011 season.
, but has not played any games for the teams since 2002.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player currently with Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues is an American soccer team based in the Los Angeles suburb of Fullerton, California, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in the USL Professional Division.
Youth and College
Akwari attended Strake Jesuit College PreparatoryStrake Jesuit College Preparatory
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory is an all-men's Jesuit, university-preparatory school for grades 9-12 in the Greater Sharpstown area of Houston, Texas. It is located in proximity to Alief....
, a private school in Houston known for its prestigious soccer program, before attending USSF
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
's Bradenton Academy, where he trained with other Under-17 national teamer
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
s like Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Timothy Donovan is an American soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. He usually plays as a withdrawn forward, and can also be used as an attacking midfielder on either wing....
, DaMarcus Beasley
DaMarcus Beasley
DaMarcus Lamont Beasley is an American soccer player who plays for Puebla of the Mexican Primera División. He plays mainly as a winger on the left side of the midfield, but has also been used as a forward and fullback...
, and Bobby Convey
Bobby Convey
Robert Francis "Bobby" Convey is an American soccer player.-Youth:Convey attended the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, played club soccer for the Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa, and was a member of the initial class of the Bradenton Academy that also included current national team...
.
Although he considered turning pro, Akwari instead went to UCLA to play college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
. He stayed at UCLA two years, starting every game as a freshman in 2000, and being named second-team All Pac-10 as a sophomore.
Professional
Akwari left college after his sophomore year to pursue opportunities in Europe, but when nothing came of them, he signed a Project-40 contract with MLS late in the 2002 season. Akwari was put into a lottery, which the MetroStarsMetrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
won; although Akwari appeared in seven games, he was not particularly impressive, and was traded during the offseason to the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
. Akwari saw little playing time in 2003, appearing in 11 games but starting only five for a mediocre Crew team, while spending a lot of time on loan to A-League
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
's Cincinnati Riverhawks
Cincinnati Riverhawks
The Cincinnati Riverhawks were a professional soccer team that debuted in the USISL Premier Development League in 1997 and joined the A-League from 1998 to 2003...
. However, in his third year in the league, Akwari began to show much more of the promise that he had as a youth national teamer - he took possession of the starting right back position midseason, and remained there for the rest of the year, ending the season with 16 starts as the Crew won the MLS Supporters' Shield
MLS Supporters' Shield
The Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
.
After the 2004 season, Akwari was selected tenth overall by Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
in the Expansion Draft
2004 MLS Expansion Draft
The 2004 MLS Expansion Draft was held on November 19, 2004 and consisted of 10 rounds. The two new teams, C.D. Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake, drafted players from the other 10 Major League Soccer teams....
, reuniting him with old coach John Ellinger
John Ellinger
John Ellinger is a former American soccer coach of the Under-17 United States men's national soccer team, and former head coach of Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer....
. Akwari played 41 games over the 2005 and 2006 seasons, but was waived by RSL during the 2007 pre-season.
Akwari signed for USL Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
side Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in April 2007, and scored on his debut against Crystal Palace Baltimore on April 20, 2007; he then signed for Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in early 2008. After two years with Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
left Akwari the United States and signed on 26 January 2010 for the Canadian club Vancouver Whitecaps an one year contract. He scored his first professional goal - eight years after making his debut - for Vancouver on April 29, 2010 in a game against the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
.
On October 19, 2010, the Vancouver Whitecaps released Akwari, along with five fellow players, citing their need to purge certain players in preparation for their upcoming promotion to Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Akwari joined the expansion Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues is an American soccer team based in the Los Angeles suburb of Fullerton, California, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in the USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
league for the 2011 season.
International
Akwari has represented the United States at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels, playing at the 2001 World Youth Championship in ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, but has not played any games for the teams since 2002.