American soccer player
Sean Ugochukwu "Ugo " Okoli (born February 3, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward .
Career
Early career
Born in Federal Way , Washington , Okoli was a part of the Seattle Sounders FC Academy before attending college at Wake Forest University in 2011.[ 1] While playing for the Demon Deacons Okoli earned All-ACC honors in all three seasons he attended the college and scored 24 goals with 9 assists during his time there.[ 1] While playing at Wake Forest, Okoli also played in the USL PDL with the Seattle Sounders FC U-23 side in 2012 and 2013.[ 2] He was also one of the first Academy players to play for the Seattle Sounders reserve side in the MLS Reserve League in 2011.[ 2]
Professional
In January 2014, Okoli, along with academy teammate Aaron Kovar , signed a professional contract with Seattle Sounders FC .[ 1] He made his debut for the Sounders on March 8 in the team's Major League Soccer opener against Sporting Kansas City at CenturyLink Field when he came on in the 86th minute for Lamar Neagle . He then contributed to the teams winning goal in the 93rd minute as they beat Sporting KC 1–0.[ 3]
In January 2015, the Sounders traded Okoli's rights to New England Revolution in order to trade up in the MLS SuperDraft and select Northwestern goal keeper Tyler Miller .[ 4] [ 5]
Sean Okoli with FC Cincinnati in 2016
After his release from New England, Okoli signed with United Soccer League side FC Cincinnati for the 2016 season.[ 6] Okoli led the USL in goals (16) for the 2016 season and was awarded the league's Golden Boot.[ 7] and Most Valuable Player award.[ 8]
After spending a season with FC Cincinnati, Okoli moved back to Major League Soccer, signing with New York City FC on December 5, 2016.[ 9] New York released Okoli at the end of the 2017 season.[ 10]
Okoli signed with FK Jerv from Norway in August 2018, but left the club again at the end of the year.[ 11]
In July 2019, Okoli joined Austrian Austrian Regionalliga West side Pinzgau Saalfelden .[ 12]
Okoli signed with Orange County SC on February 19, 2020.[ 13]
On February 24, 2021, Okoli joined USL Championship side Austin Bold .[ 14]
On April 20, 2023, Okoli joined USL Championship side Monterey Bay FC .[ 15] He left Monterey Bay following their 2023 season.[ 16]
Personal life
Okoli is of Nigerian descent.[ 17]
Career statistics
As of 8 October 2017 [ 18]
Honors
Individual
USL League MVP: 2016
USL All-League Team: 2016
References
^ a b c Mayers, Josh. "Sounders sign homegrown players Aaron Kovar and Sean Okoli" . Seattle Times . Retrieved March 8, 2014 .
^ a b "Sounders FC Signs Aaron Kovar and Sean Okoli" . Seattle Sounders FC . March 8, 2014.
^ "Seattle Sounders 1-0 Sporting Kansas City (March 8, 2014)" . Major League Soccer . Retrieved March 8, 2014 .
^ "Sounders pick Roldan, Miller, Fisher in '15 Draft" . Sounder At Heart . January 15, 2015.
^ "Latest | MLSsoccer.com" .
^ "FCC add two new players | FC Cincinnati" . Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016 .
^ "USL Golden Boot – Sean Okoli, FC Cincinnati" . Retrieved October 18, 2016 .
^ Corr, Charlie (November 4, 2016). "Okoli Shines in Limelight for FC Cincinnati" . USL. Retrieved November 5, 2016 .
^ "NYCFC Sign USL MVP Sean Okoli" . New York City FC . December 5, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016 .
^ FC, New York City. "New York City FC Announce Roster Options for 2018" . New York City FC .
^ Overganger i OBOS-ligaen vinter 2019 , sportshjornet.com, 13 December 2018
^ "Fußball im Pinzgau: FC Pinzgau Saalfelden: Der Kader und die Ziele" . meinbezirk.at . July 27, 2019.
^ "GOLDEN RETURN: Orange County Signs 2016 MVP Okoli" . USLChampionship.com Staff. February 19, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020 .
^ Communications, Austin Bold FC (February 24, 2021). "AUSTIN BOLD FC BOOSTS ATTACK WITH THE ADDITION OF SEAN OKOLI FOR 2021 SEASON" . Austin Bold FC .
^ "Monterey Bay F.C. Signs Former Orange County SC Striker Sean "Ugo" Okoli" . Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship . Retrieved April 21, 2023 .
^ [email protected] , NICHOLAS MURRAY- (November 29, 2023). "Monterey Bay F.C. announces first roster moves for 2024 season" . USL Championship .
^ "New England sign Nigerian Sean Okoli - Nigeria" . African Football .
^ Sean Okoli at Soccerway
External links