Sporting Kansas City acquired 24-year-old Amobi Okugo from Orlando City SC on July 20, 2015. He has logged more than 130 MLS appearances as a central defender and holding midfielder in six professional seasons since being selected sixth overall by the Philadelphia Union in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft as a Generation adidas signing out of UCLA.
In 2011, Okugo was a member of Major League Soccer’s Generation adidas roster that was led by Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes during a tour of the Netherlands. Between 2012-2014, he led all MLS players with 70 blocks and was fourth in the league with 276 interceptions.
Okugo was included on MLSsoccer.com’s “24 under 24” rankings of the league’s top youth talent each of the past two seasons (8th in 2013, 13th in 2014) and joined Orlando City SC for their inaugural MLS campaign in 2015 after leading the Union through their first five MLS seasons.
2015: MLS regular season: Started nine of 15 appearances for Orlando City SC before he was traded to Sporting KC on July 20. Made three appearances for Sporting KC with one start, recording one assist (108 minutes played). Made his Sporting KC debut as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 win at Toronto FC on Aug. 8, assisting Jacob Peterson's late goal to seal the victory. MLS Cup Playoffs: Did not feature. Open Cup: Cup-tied to Orlando City SC and ineligible to play for Sporting KC in the competition. Started and played 120 minutes in Orlando's 8-7 penalty kick shootout after a 4-4 draw against the Charleston Battery in the fourth round (June 17). Played 23 minutes as a second-half substitute in Orlando's 2-0 win over Columbus in the round of 16 (June 30).
COLLEGE AND YOUTH: Okugo started all 20 games in his only collegiate season at UCLA, earning Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors and being named the Most Valuable Player at the 2010 MLS Player Combine. He represented the United States extensively at the youth national team levels and attended the U.S. Soccer Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida for three semesters with the U.S. U-17’s from 2006-2007. He went on to appear at the 2009 and 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championships before playing for the U.S. U-23’s at the 2012 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
