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MLS Preview: Top 10 Must Watch Players Of African Descent - #10 Jeremy Ebobisse
The 2019 Major League Soccer season is here. Just like any region on the globe, there is plenty of African talent on show in the American league. Both young and coming as well more established guns ready to blaze or mind the goal. In this piece, we feature a Portland Timbers forward.
The young and cunning forward looks to establish himself as a regular for the Portland Timbers after a strong end to 2018.
Jeremy Ebobisse #11 of United States controls the ball during the first half of the international friendly against the Panama at State Farm Stadium on January 27, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona.
(Jan. 26, 2019 - Source: Getty Images North America)
The 22-year-old forward is such a one who had nothing but only good vibes towards the end of the 2018 MLS season. The young striker who is of Cameroonian and Malagasy descent, born in France and represents the United States Men’s National Team has big goals in the new season and so are his spectators, we have huge expectations for the youngster as well. In fact, the year has already gotten off to a bright start for the Portland striker fondly known as “Jebo” by his teammates. He made his USMNT debut on the 27th of January and as the season kicks-off, he will be looking to cement his place as the ever reliable forward for the Timbers. Jebo helped Portland Timbers to reach the 2018 MLS Cup finals, starting 6 post-season games, one more than the starts afforded him in the regular season, even scoring 6 goals in all those appearances.
Ebobisse was acquired as No.4 overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft and is yet to look back though he has had to be more patient to get his chance. Jebo went to Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda in Maryland, teaming up with the likes of Arsenal forward, Gedion Zelalem eventually playing college soccer between 2014-15 at Duke University where he scored 9 goals and assisted 7 others in 30 starts. He has also appeared for the United States U-20s, helping them win their first ever CONCACAF Championship, qualifying for the 2017 FIFA U-20s World Cup. Patience and grit have been the cornerstone of the youngster’s achievements, who had to wait to be drafted by the Portland Timbers in 2017 though having signed a professional MLS contract in August of 2016 but without a club.
To all his opponents, the explosive and industrious forward will be a matchup problem to solve for opposing defences this season. But as for the rest of us, we can’t wait to see Jeremy take the next another positive step in his young MLS career.
MLS Preview: Top 10 Must Watch Players Of African Descent - #9 Bill Hamid
#10 on our MLS player watchlist for 2019 is the DMV hometown hero, Bill Hamid. Outside of a short stint at Danish side FC Midtjylland, Hamid has become synonymous with DC United and remains one of the few players left from Ben Olsen’s earlier days at the club. The U.S. International has already one MLS Goalkeeper of the Year (2014), and will singlehandedly change the course of matches for United this season.
The homegrown record-breaker can help lead DC United to glory this season.
Bill Hamid #28 of DC United reacts during a game against the Philadelphia Union at RFK Stadium on August 19, 2012 in Washington, DC.
(Aug. 18, 2012 - Source: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images North America)
The 28-year-old goalkeeper is a man who need no introduction. Bilal “Bill”Abdul Hamid is undisputedly one of the best goalkeepers in the MLS and we believe he will be key for his boyhood club, D.C United in the 2019 season.Bill has just one year left on his one and a half loan contract from Danish Superliga club, FC Midtjylland where he fell out favor upon moving to Denmark. This year in particular, he will even be eager to play for his career with his future still a subject of speculation and there may be no better time to do it than now. Upon the arrival of former English captain and Manchester United forward, half-way through the season, the “Black and Red” received a major boost even reaching the knockout round of the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. Rooney ended the season as the club’s top goal scorer with 12 to his name, many will be eager to see how much he can give in a full season and Hamid will be the goal minder in the spotlight as the 4 time MLS Cup winners embark on a new mission.
As previously elaborated, Bill Hamid in itself is no small name. He became the first D.C United Academy Player to sign for the first team in 2009 also becoming the youngest goalkeeper to win an MLS match back in 2010 as a 19-year-old, surpassing the record of the legendary Tim Howard. Hamid, whose parents are from Sierra Leone, helped the U.S Men’s National Team to the 2013 and 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Individually, he won the 2012 MLS Goalkeeper of The Year Award and will perhaps remind everyone just how good he is in the 2019 campaign.
For those still wondering who this guy is, you may remember him as the man who pioneered one of the D.C fans’ chants after a video of him pounding his chest and passionately declaring, “you can’t hold us back!” circulated on the internet. This was after Hamid was red carded in the 2012 playoffs against New York Red Bulls. The goalkeeper with a record 88 saves in MLS season is available and we couldn’t be more excited to see what he has to offer this time around.