Niko Hansen

Nikolaj Hansen (born 14 September 1994) is a Danish footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo. He previously appeared at the semi-professional level for Seattle Sounders FC U-23 and professionally with Columbus Crew SC.

Niko Hansen
Hansen with Columbus in 2017
Personal information
Full name Nikolaj Hansen
Date of birth (1994-09-14) 14 September 1994
Place of birth Randers, Denmark
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position(s) Forward, winger
Club information
Current team
 Houston Dynamo
Number 12
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 New Mexico Lobos 79 (28)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014 Seattle Sounders FC U-23 9 (2)
2017–2019 Columbus Crew SC 45 (4)
2019– Houston Dynamo 6 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 July 2020

At a young age, Hansen moved to the United States and attended Jesuit High School. He played in college at New Mexico, appearing on an all-conference team in each of his four years with the Lobos and winning two conference titles. He also appeared with Seattle Sounders FC U-23 during the collegiate offseason. Hansen was selected by Columbus Crew SC in the first round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft; he scored on his professional debut in March 2017. He is eligible to play for either the Denmark or United States national teams and is a citizen of both countries.[1]

Early life

Born in Randers, Denmark, Hansen grew up in Oksbøl before moving to the United States as a child. His family settled in Sacramento, California, where he attended Jesuit High School. As a senior, he scored 35 goals for the Marauders and was named as an NSCAA High School All-American.[2] Hansen was also selected to take part in the NSCAA High School All-American Game.[3]

Hansen played club soccer with Placer United during his time in California. He committed to play college soccer for coach Jeremy Fishbein and the New Mexico Lobos.[4]

College and amateur

On 6 February 2013, Hansen was officially confirmed as part of the New Mexico roster, one of eight recruits brought in by the Lobos ahead of the 2013 season.[5] He made his collegiate debut on 31 August, starting and scoring two goals as part of a 7–2 victory over Villanova.[6] Hansen also scored on his Conference USA (C-USA) debut, tallying a goal in a 3–1 victory over Marshall,[7] and tallied an assist in his NCAA Tournament debut against George Mason.[8] After tallying seven goals and five assists in 22 appearances on the season, he was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.[9] As a sophomore, Hansen appeared 18 times and scored five goals. In one mid-season stretch, he scored three match-winning goals in four games: against Virginia Commonwealth, West Virginia, and Florida International.[10] At the end of the season, he was named to the All-CUSA Third Team.[11]

Ahead of his junior season, Hansen was called up to the United States U23 national team, taking part in a college identification training camp ahead of the 2015 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship.[12] He stepped straight back into form after returning to New Mexico, scoring game-winning goals in back-to-back matches against Missouri State[13] and American[14] in September. He scored just one more time on the season, but was named Second Team All-CUSA, with a total of three goals and three assists from 18 appearances.[15] As a senior, Hansen appeared 21 times while leading the Lobos to their first C-USA tournament title since joining the conference four years prior.[16] On 17 September, he scored his first career hat trick in a 3–1 victory over UC Irvine.[17] Hansen tallied a career-high 13 goals during the year and added three assists, earned a spot on the C-USA All-Tournament Team,[18] and was named to the All-CUSA First Team.[19] He finished his collegiate career with 28 goals in 79 appearances.[10]

Seattle Sounders FC U-23

Following his freshman season at New Mexico, Hansen played for Seattle Sounders FC U-23 in the Premier Development League.[20] He appeared nine times, scoring two goals and providing an assist in his lone season with the club.[21]

Club career

Columbus Crew SC
Hansen was the second-ever New Mexico player drafted by Columbus, following Brandon Moss in 2006.

Columbus Crew SC selected Hansen with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.[22] Because he had already signed a league-guaranteed contract before the draft, Hansen was automatically added to the Columbus roster without having to negotiate a contract with the club.[23] Hansen made his club and professional debut on 25 March against Portland Timbers, replacing Justin Meram in the 60th minute of a tied match. He would go on to provide Crew SC with a 3–2 victory, scoring the game-winning goal in the 84th minute.[24] Hansen missed 14 matches during the summer after undergoing surgery to repair an inguinal hernia[25] and then suffering a thigh strain upon his return to training.[26] He returned in time for Columbus' playoff run, appearing as an extra time substitute in the knockout round against Atlanta United. He scored in the penalty shootout as Crew SC advanced by a 3–1 margin.[27] After finishing the season with one goal in 16 appearances, Hansen had his contract option picked up by the club.[28]

Hansen was expected to challenge for a starting spot at the beginning of the 2018 season following the departure of Justin Meram, but suffered a pulled hamstring during preseason camp.[29] He found his form in the later part of the year, scoring a match-tying goal against Chicago Fire on 23 August[30] and bagging a brace in a 3–2 defeat against Portland on 19 September.[1] For a second consecutive season, Hansen scored in a knockout round penalty shootout, this time helping Columbus advance over D.C. United by a 3–2 result.[31] However, he missed the conference semifinals against New York Red Bulls after picking up an ankle injury against D.C.[32] After appearing 24 times and scoring three goals, Hansen again had his contract option picked up by the club.[33]

Following the 2018 season, Hansen had surgery on his ankle; during the 2019 preseason, he suffered two setbacks, tearing scar tissue in the same ankle then suffering a torn hamstring in his preseason debut.[34] He returned to full health after missing five league matches, appearing off the bench on 6 April against New England Revolution.[35] Hansen struggled to earn a spot in the rotation under new head coach Caleb Porter, appearing in just nine matches in Columbus under Porter.[36] Hansen was traded to Houston in early August, ending his time in Columbus with four goals from 49 appearances in all competitions.[37]

"I won’t try to be something that I’m not. I’m physical, I’m quick, I want to get behind the lines and I want to be direct and try to score goals and get crosses...I want to come in and make a difference."

—Hansen, speaking about himself in 2019[35]

Houston Dynamo

On 8 August 2019, Hansen was traded to Houston Dynamo in exchange for $75,000 in targeted allocation money.[37] He made his debut for the Dynamo three days later, entering as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat against Philadelphia Union,[38] and went on to make four appearances during his first season in Houston.[36] Following the campaign, the Dynamo picked up the option on Hansen's contract.[39]

Career statistics
As of 23 July 2020[36][40]
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Seattle Sounders FC U-23 2014[21] PDL 92–––92
Columbus Crew SC 2017 MLS 14110–1[lower-alpha 2]0161
2018 22310–1[lower-alpha 2]0243
2019 9000––90
Total 454200020494
Houston Dynamo 2019 MLS 400000–40
2020 2000–0020
Total 6000000060
Career total 606200020646
  1. All appearances in the U.S. Open Cup
  2. Appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs

Honors

Team
New Mexico[41]

Individual

References
  1. "Niko Hansen – Columbus profile". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  2. Soccer America (10 December 2012). "2012 NSCAA Boys High School All-America Team". SoccerAmerica.com. Soccer America. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  3. "Rosters for the 2012 High School All-American Game announced". NSCAA.com. United Soccer Coaches. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  4. PUSC (14 November 2012). "Placer United's Niko Hansen Comes Up Huge in High School Division 1 Final". PlacerUnited.com. Placer United Soccer Club. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  5. "New Mexico Welcomes Seven New Lobos On Signing Day". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  6. "No. 11 UNM Attack Ignites In Season Opener". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  7. "Lobos Win Conference USA Debut At Marshall". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  8. "Rogers' Late Goal Sends Lobos To Sweet 16". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  9. "Four Gamecocks Earn All-Conference Honors". GamecocksOnline.com. South Carolina Athletics. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  10. "Niko Hansen – New Mexico profile". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  11. ODU Athletics (11 November 2014). "Five Monarchs Earn C-USA honors". ODUSports.com. Old Dominion Athletics. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  12. "Niko Hansen Invited to U.S. U23 Team Camp". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Top Drawer Soccer. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  13. "Hansen's Goal Boosts Lobos Over Bears". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  14. "Casucci Nets OT Winner as Lobos Down No. 21 AU 2-1". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. 20 September 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  15. "CUSA Men's Soccer 2015 Season Weekly Notebook – Final" (PDF). ConferenceUSA.com. Conference USA. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  16. Pitvorec, Chelsea (13 November 2016). "Lobos Win 2016 Conference USA Championship". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  17. Pitvorec, Chelsea (18 September 2016). "Hansen Hat Trick Powers Lobos to Fifth Straight Win". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  18. "MSOC: New Mexico Wins C-USA Championship". ConferenceUSA.com. Conference USA. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  19. "Five Lobos Named All-Conference USA". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  20. "Sounders U23 Professional Alumni". SoundersU23.com. Seattle Sounders FC U-23. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  21. "Premier Development League 2014 Statistics". USLLeagueTwo.com. USL League Two. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  22. Tate, Van (13 January 2017). "Niko Hansen a first round pick of the Columbus Crew SC". KRQE.com. KRQE News 13. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  23. "Hansen Picked No. 9 Overall By Columbus Crew SC In MLS SuperDraft". GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  24. Helfrich, Jeff (25 March 2017). "Recap: Hansen's debut game-winner lifts Crew SC over Portland". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  25. Crew SC Communications (21 June 2017). "Crew SC midfielder Niko Hansen undergoes successful hernia surgery". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  26. Erickson, Andrew (24 August 2017). "Crew Cuts: Francis out for Saturday's game with hamstring injury". Dispatch.com. GateHouse Media. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  27. "Atlanta United 0 (1) – 0 (3) Columbus Crew SC". ESPN.com. ESPN Inc. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  28. Crew SC Communications (1 December 2017). "Options exercised on 9 players ahead of 2018 season". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  29. Torres, Guilherme (3 May 2018). "Niko Hansen hoping for a healthy second year with Crew SC". MassiveReport.com. SB Nation. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  30. Cath, David (23 August 2018). "Hansen buries first goal of 2018 to secure point at Chicago". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  31. Cath, David (2 November 2018). "Higuaín's brace, Steffen's PK heroics propel Crew SC past D.C. United". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  32. Guldan, Patrick (4 November 2018). "Game Thread: Columbus Crew SC vs. New York Red Bulls". MassiveReport.com. SB Nation. Retrieved 30 November 2018. Niko Hansen is questionable with an ankle injury...
  33. Crew SC Communications (26 November 2018). "Columbus Crew SC exercises options on contracts of eight players ahead of 2019". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  34. Myers, Jacob (9 April 2019). "Niko Hansen now healthy, eager to help Crew SC". Dispatch.com. The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  35. Torres, Guilherme (10 April 2019). "A healthy Niko Hansen is looking to make a difference for the Crew". MassiveReport.com. SB Nation. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  36. Niko Hansen at Major League Soccer
  37. Patrick Guldan and Pat Murphy (8 August 2019). "Crew trading Niko Hansen to Houston Dynamo". MassiveReport.com. SB Nation. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  38. Stowers, Derek (11 August 2019). "Houston Dynamo end road trip with a loss to the Philadelphia Union". DynamoTheory.com. SB Nation. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  39. Houston Dynamo Communications (21 November 2019). "Dynamo Announce Roster Moves Ahead of 2020 Season". HoustonDynamo.com. Houston Dynamo. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  40. Niko Hansen at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  41. "Lobo Soccer History and Record Book" (PDF). GoLobos.com. New Mexico Athletics. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
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