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15 Facts About Nelson Akwari

1.

Nelson Akwari began his career with the United States national team youth academy in Bradenton, Florida, and played for several professional clubs in various US leagues.

2.

Nelson Akwari stayed at UCLA two years, starting every game as a freshman in 2000, and being named second-team All-Pac-10 as a sophomore.

3.

Nelson Akwari returned to UCLA after completion of his soccer career and earned Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in engineering.

4.

Nelson Akwari left college after his sophomore year to pursue opportunities in Europe, but when nothing came of them, he signed a Project-40 contract with MLS late in the 2002 season.

5.

Nelson Akwari was put into a lottery, which the MetroStars won; Nelson Akwari appeared in seven games and was traded during the offseason to the Columbus Crew.

6.

Nelson Akwari saw little playing time in 2003, appearing in 11 games but starting only five for the Crew, while spending a lot of time on loan to A-League's Cincinnati Riverhawks.

7.

Nelson Akwari played 41 games over the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

8.

Nelson Akwari signed for USL Second Division side Charlotte Eagles in April 2007, and scored on his debut against Crystal Palace Baltimore on April 20,2007.

9.

Nelson Akwari then signed for Charleston Battery in 2008, spending two seasons with the club including a run to the final of the 2008 US Open Cup.

10.

Nelson Akwari signed on 26 January 2010 for the Canadian club Vancouver Whitecaps a one-year contract.

11.

Nelson Akwari scored his first professional goal for Vancouver on April 29,2010, in a game against the Portland Timbers.

12.

Nelson Akwari joined the expansion Los Angeles Blues in the USL Pro league for the 2011 season.

13.

Nelson Akwari retired following the 2011 season and settled in Charleston, where he works as an engineer for Boeing and is a frequent commentator on Battery game broadcasts.

14.

Nelson Akwari finished 8th in his Fantasy Football League after winning it all in 2022.

15.

Nelson Akwari has represented the United States at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels, playing at the 2001 U-20 World Youth Championship in Argentina, and the 1999 U-17 World Youth Championship in New Zealand.