Sporting Kansas City II defender and Academy product Mo Abualnadi has been called in for a Jordan Olympic National Team training camp in Lebanon from March 19-29. Abualnadi signed with SKC II on Jan. 30 after he developed in the Sporting KC Academy and enjoyed successful stints at Notre Dame and the University of Pittsburgh. Abualnadi has national team experience, debuting for the Jordan U-19 Men’s National Team in two friendlies against Qatar’s Aspire Academy in 2019.
A native of Overland Park, Kansas, Abualnadi logged four USL Championship appearances for Sporting KC II on an amateur contract in the spring of 2019 before embarking on a four-year college career in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He spent two seasons each at Notre Dame and Pitt, amassing 59 total appearances (51 starts) in central defense tallying two goals and two assists.
Abualnadi joined the Sporting KC Academy in the summer of 2017 and played more than 40 matches between the U-17 and U-19 sides across two seasons. He also spent significant time with the Sporting KC first team during the 2019 preseason in Arizona.
The defender debuted for SKC II – then the Swope Park Rangers – with a 90-minute outing in a 2-2 draw against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in March 2019 at Children’s Mercy Park, then earned his second of four starts that season by helping the team to a dramatic 3-2 home win over USL Championship powerhouse Louisville City SC on May 6.
After two standout seasons at Sporting, Abualnadi ventured to South Bend, Indiana, to begin his time at perennial title contender Notre Dame. He made an instant impact as a freshman, starting 15 of 19 appearances and helping the Irish to the NCAA Tournament. He played 16 more matches as a sophomore, helping the side to five shutout victories.
Abualnadi transferred to Pitt in 2021 and started 21 of 24 appearances across his final two collegiate seasons as a Panther. His junior campaign was highlighted by one goal, one assist and Pitt’s run to the quarterfinals of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Notre Dame on penalty kicks. As a senior, Abualnadi was part of a Panthers team that upset previously unbeaten Kentucky in the Sweet 16 and progressed to the NCAA Men’s College Cup, where they fell to Indiana in the national semifinals last December.
Abualnadi has gained more first-team exposure by training with Sporting during the club’s 2023 preseason, presented by Children’s Mercy. Following the conclusion of the first team's preseason, he has been with the second team for their 2023 preseason, appearing in the group's friendly against North Texas SC on March 9 at Toyota Soccer Center.
After his time with the Jordanian National team concludes, Abualnadi will rejoin SKC II for their second season in MLS NEXT Pro. The squad kicks the regular season off on Sunday, March 26 at Colorado Rapids 2 at DICK's Sporting Goods Park.
