Playing position Role Soccer Player Number 17 Height 1.85 m | 2007–2010 James Madison Dukes Salary 95,000 USD (2014) Name C. Sapong | |
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Full name Charles Nana Kwabena Sapong Date of birth (1988-12-27) December 27, 1988 (age 26) Place of birth Manassas, Virginia, United States Current team Philadelphia Union (Forward) Parents Kofi Sapong, Gillian Sapong Similar People Peter Vermes, Kei Kamara, Ron Newman, Bob Gansler Profiles | ||
Education James Madison University | ||
Charles "CJ" Nana Kwabena Sapong (; born December 27, 1988) is an American soccer player who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.
Contents
- College and amateur
- Professional
- International career
- Legal trouble
- Career statistics
- Sporting Kansas City
- Individual
- References
College and amateur
Sapong played college soccer at James Madison University, where he ended his career with 37 goals and 21 assists in four seasons from 2007–2010. He was awarded First Team All-Conference and team Offensive MVP honors all four years, a first in program history, and was the CAA Player of the Year as a senior co-captain in 2010. Sapong was a two-time NSCAA First Team All-South Atlantic Region selection. As a freshman, he was named the CAA and VaSID Rookie of the Year and chosen to the Third Team All-South Atlantic Region.
Sapong made eight appearances for Fredericksburg Gunners in the USL Premier Development League in 2009, and made eleven appearances and scored four goals for Reading United during their 2010 PDL season.
Professional
On January 14, 2011, Sapong was drafted #10 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City. He signed with the club on March 1, 2011. He made his professional debut on March 19, in Kansas City's opening game of the 2011 MLS season against Chivas USA; he scored his first professional goal after just two minutes of the game, helping his team to a 3–2 victory. Sapong was awarded the MLS Rookie of the Year Award for 2011, edging out Perry Kitchen and Michael Farfan, who finished second and third, respectively.
Sapong was loaned to USL Pro's Orlando City in July 2013. On July 18, only a week after being loaned to Orlando, Sapong was recalled by Sporting Kansas City. In total, Sapong scored 1 goal in 3 matches while tallying 1 assist.
On December 8, 2014, Sapong was traded by Kansas City to Philadelphia Union in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. He scored his first career hat-trick in Philadelphia's 3–0 victory over the New York Red Bulls at Talen Energy Stadium on May 6, 2017.
International career
On January 21, 2012, Sapong made his debut for the senior side of his country (as a second-half substitute) in the 1–0 win over Venezuela in a friendly match.
Legal trouble
On May 1, 205, Sapong was arrested for DUI and reckless driving. He was found not guilty of the DUI charge but still faced the reckless driving charge.
Career statistics
Stats accurate as of December 7, 2015