Handwalla Bwana
Handwalla Bwana (born June 25, 1997) is a Somalian professional footballer who plays for Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer.[1]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | June 25, 1997 | ||
Place of birth | Mombasa, Kenya | ||
Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
Playing position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Seattle Sounders FC | ||
Number | 70 | ||
Youth career | |||
2015–2016 | Seattle Sounders FC | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2016–2017 | Washington Huskies | 39 | (12) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015–2016 | Seattle Sounders FC 2 | 6 | (0) |
2018– | Seattle Sounders FC | 29 | (4) |
2018– | Tacoma Defiance | 10 | (1) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 06:07, 15 July 2020 (UTC) |
Early life
Bwana was born in Mombasa, Kenya but spent six years of his childhood at a refugee camp in Kakuma, northwestern Kenya. His family was resettled in the United States in 2010, initially in Atlanta, but later in Seattle, where he attended Ballard High School.[2] Describing how his childhood shaped him as a player, Bwana has stated that "playing with a garbage ball...made me better with my feet".[3]
Career
Bwana joined the Seattle Sounders FC Academy in 2015.[4] On September 11, 2015, Bwana made his professional debut for USL club Seattle Sounders FC 2 in a 1–0 defeat to the Orange County Blues.[5] After two seasons at the University of Washington, Bwana was signed as a Homegrown Player on January 11, 2018.[6] Bwana made his debut for the club against expansion side Los Angeles FC as a substitute on March 4, an appearance which included a shot from outside the box that hit the crossbar.[7] He started Seattle's CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal tie against Mexican club Chivas three days later,[8] but did not appear in the second leg in Guadalajara, as Seattle lost 3–1 on aggregate. Bwana started his first MLS game against FC Dallas on March 18, a 3–0 defeat.[9] His first goal was on May 9, 2018, the game winner against Toronto FC,[10] and scored again a week later against Orlando City SC.[11]
Honours
Seattle Sounders FC
- MLS Cup: 2019
References
- "Sounders FC signs Handwalla Bwana as Homegrown Player". SoundersFC.com. Seattle Sounders FC. January 11, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
- Pentz, Matt (October 28, 2016). "Handwalla Bwana could be the next Seattle soccer star. But first he must conquer his American Dream". Seattle Times. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
- "New Homegrown Player Handwalla Bwana sits down for first interview". SoundersFC.com. Seattle Sounders FC. January 12, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
- Molinari, Alessandro; Tanaka, Ella (March 28, 2015). "Junior Handwalla Bwana plays soccer for Seattle Sounders Academy". BallardTalisman.com. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- "S2 falls 1-0 at home to OC Blues FC, needs win in season finale to advance to USL Playoffs". SoundersFC.com. Sounders FC Communications. September 11, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- Mondello, Joseph (January 11, 2018). "Analysis: Where will Handwalla Bwana fit with the Sounders?". Seattle Sounders.
- Ciaccio, Danny (March 4, 2018). "Seattle Sounders rookie Handwalla Bwana impresses, flashes creative flair in his MLS debut". Seattle Sounders.
- Krasnoo, Ryan (March 8, 2018). "Seattle Sounders midfielder Handwalla Bwana plays beyond his years, earns high marks in first Senior Team start vs. Chivas". Seattle Sounders.
- "Seattle Sounders versus FC Dallas starting lineup: Handwalla Bwana makes first MLS start, Kelvin Leerdam first start of season". Seattle Sounders. March 18, 2018.
- Boehm, Charles (May 9, 2018). "Toronto FC 1, Seattle Sounders 2 | 2018 MLS Match Recap". MLS. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
- Evans, Jayda (May 28, 2019). "During Ramadan, Sounders' Nouhou, Handwalla Bwana make it clear: 'Religion comes first'". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 12, 2019.