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Zakuani played for the [[Arsenal F.C. Academy|Arsenal youth academy]] but as a teenager he struggled finding a team. He lost focus on soccer and made mistakes in his personal life that culminated in a potentially career-ending injury; Zakuani and a friend crashed while riding a stolen moped. He attended the [[University of Akron]] on a soccer scholarship and excelled athletically. In 2008, he was a finalist for the [[Hermann Trophy]] award for the top American university player and was named [[Soccer America]] men's collegiate player of the year. |
Zakuani played for the [[Arsenal F.C. Academy|Arsenal youth academy]] but as a teenager he struggled finding a team. He lost focus on soccer and made mistakes in his personal life that culminated in a potentially career-ending injury; Zakuani and a friend crashed while riding a stolen moped. He attended the [[University of Akron]] on a soccer scholarship and excelled athletically. In 2008, he was a finalist for the [[Hermann Trophy]] award for the top American university player and was named [[Soccer America]] men's collegiate player of the year. |
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Seattle Sounders FC were entering [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) as a new club in 2009. The team selected Zakuani first overall in the [[2009 MLS SuperDraft|MLS SuperDraft]]. He quickly became a fan favorite and was a finalist for [[MLS Rookie of the Year]]. In 2010, he had success in Seattle |
Seattle Sounders FC were entering [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) as a new club in 2009. The team selected Zakuani first overall in the [[2009 MLS SuperDraft|MLS SuperDraft]]. He quickly became a fan favorite and was a finalist for [[MLS Rookie of the Year]]. In 2010, he had success in Seattle, scoring ten goals and debuting for the [[Congo DR national football team]] in a friendly. However, in 2011, he suffered a leg injury that almost led to amputation and forced Zakuani to miss 15 months of football. He returned in 2012 but failed to recapture his early success, and retired after playing the 2014 MLS season with the Portland Timbers. |
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Zakuani played [[Forward (association football)|forward]] in college and as a winger professionally. He was known for his speed and his ability to individually take on the opposing defenders while attacking. He credited his skills to the style he learned at the Arsenal Academy. After making poor personal decisions in his youth, he seeks to assist young players through a non-profit organization Kingdom Hope, which he founded. |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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===Youth and college=== |
===Youth and college=== |
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Zakuani was born in [[Kinshasa]], [[Zaire]] |
Zakuani was born in [[Kinshasa]], [[Zaire]]—now the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. When he was four, his father, Mao Zakuani, moved his family to [[London]] for political and professional reasons after receiving a job offer as a translator.<ref name="Seattle Times 2010-04-28">{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |title=Sounders FC's Steve Zakuani followed winding path to fulfill soccer dreams |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011728368_sounders29.html |accessdate=April 24, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=April 28, 2010}}</ref> The family switched homes often and lived with extended family for long periods. They later settled in a north London neighborhood with other African families, where Zakuani attended [[Woodside High School (London)|White Hart Lane School]].<ref name="Interview 15-30">{{cite web |title=15/30 Interview – Steve Zakuani |url=http://www.prostamerika.com/features/1530-interview-steve-zakuani/ |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110721213953/http://www.prostamerika.com/features/1530-interview-steve-zakuani/ |archivedate=21 July 2011 |publisher=Prost Amerika Soccer |date=March 29, 2010 |accessdate=April 24, 2011}}</ref> |
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At the age of nine, Zakuani |
At the age of nine, Zakuani attracted interest from [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]'s youth program. He later tried out for the youth team of [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]], and in 1997, he joined the [[Arsenal F.C. Academy|Arsenal Academy]]. Zakuani became cocky and brash while not focusing on schoolwork and was released. His off-the-field issues culminated in serious injuries when he was involved in a crash while riding on a moped that one of his friends had stolen. Zakuani was unable to play for 18 months. After losing interest in soccer and renewing his efforts in school, his teacher and mentor Paul Goodison took him to watch motivational speaker and evangelist [[Myles Munroe]]. This inspired Zakuani to renew his commitment to becoming a professional player and, although unsuccessful, he tried out for the senior teams of [[Queens Park Rangers]], [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]], [[AZ Alkmaar]], and [[Real Valladolid]].<ref name="Seattle Times 2010-04-28"/> |
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Zakuani attended the [[University of Akron]] after he was noticed while playing at north London's Independent Football Academy.<ref name="Evening Telegraph">{{cite news |title=Zakuani leads English hopes at MLS draft |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/premier/Zakuani-leads-English-hopes-at.4878705.jp |accessdate=April 24, 2011 |newspaper=Evening Telegraph |date=January 15, 2009|accessdate=January 9, 2015}}</ref> In his freshman season, he scored six goals with the [[Akron Zips men's soccer|Zips]] and received a professional offer from [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]. He was already committed to the university and declined the opportunity.<ref name="Seattle Times 2010-04-28"/> In 2008, Zakuani scored 20 goals and 7 assists over 23 games to become a finalist for the [[Hermann Trophy]]; an award given yearly by the Missouri Athletic Club to the country's top college soccer player.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/01/seattle-makes-s.html |title=Seattle makes Steve Zakuani first pick in MLS draft |work=Los Angeles Times |last=Jones |first=Grahame |date=January 15, 2009 |accessdate=April 24, 2011}}</ref> He also became the second sophomore to be named ''[[Soccer America]]'s'' men's collegiate player of the year.<ref name="Evening Telegraph"/> He played a portion of the 2008 [[USL Premier Development League]] season with the [[Cleveland Internationals]], with whom he scored nine goals and made four assists in 11 matches.<ref>{{cite press release |title=38 PDL Players taken in MLS Draft |url=http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/300270.html |publisher=USL Soccer |accessdate=April 24, 2011 |date=January 16, 2009}}</ref> |
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===Professional=== |
===Professional=== |
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====Seattle Sounders FC==== |
====Seattle Sounders FC==== |
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Zakuani was selected by expansion side [[Seattle Sounders FC]] as the number |
Zakuani was selected by expansion side [[Seattle Sounders FC]] as the number-one pick in the [[2009 MLS SuperDraft]] on a [[Generation Adidas]] program contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2009/01-January/Gaschk-on-the-SuperDraft.aspx |title=Gaschk on the SuperDraft |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |date=January 15, 2009 |accessdate=July 14, 2011}}</ref> He declined offers from two English clubs so he could sign with [[Major League Soccer]]; the deal allowed him to set money aside for future college tuition.<ref name="ESPN 2009-02-22">{{cite web |last=Zakuani |first=Steve |title=Adjusting to the pro lifestyle |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=621516&cc=5901 |publisher=ESPN |date=February 22, 2009 |accessdate=April 24, 2011}}</ref> He started 24 of 30 regular season games in [[2009 Seattle Sounders FC season|2009]] and played in the [[2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final|Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final]], when the Sounders became the second MLS team to win the [[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|tournament]] in their inaugural season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2009794946_dc_unitedcoms_starting_lineups.html |title=Tonight's lineups: Le Toux, Vagenas start |accessdate=January 25, 2010 |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=September 2, 2009 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Seattle Sounders FC Become Second MLS Expansion Team to Claim U.S. Open Cup Crown |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Lamar-Hunt-U-S-Open-Cup/2009/09/Seattle-Sounders-Become-Second-Expansion-Team-to-Claim-US-Open-Cup-Crown.aspx |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |date=September 2, 2009 |accessdate=September 3, 2009}}</ref> Zakuani provided a much-needed attacking presence from the wing; he was the third-best scorer with four goals throughout the regular season. The press considered him a candidate for [[MLS Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]] because he had the highest number of goals and assists of all new players.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/165112-top-five-mls-rookie-performers | title=Top Five MLS Rookie Performers | publisher=Bleacher Report | date=April 30, 2009 | accessdate=January 12, 2015 | author=Clark, Travis}}</ref> The award eventually went to [[Omar Gonzalez]].<ref name="Staff 2011-04-24"/> A local reporter praised him for improving his assistance to the defence and making better offensive runs as the season progressed.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sounderatheart.com/2009/10/zakuani-1st-year-learnings-playoff-preview | title=Zakuani – 1st year learnings, Playoff preview | publisher=Sounder At Heart | date=October 6, 2009 | accessdate=January 13, 2015 | author=Clark, Dave}}</ref> Although Zakuani was already known as a top young player, coach [[Sigi Schmid]] wanted him to improve his on-field decision making and increase his fitness before the next year.<ref name="PI Feb 2010"/> |
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[[File:Steve Zakuani dribble.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Zakuani dribbles towards an opposing player during a match|Zakuani against Philadelphia in 2010.]] |
[[File:Steve Zakuani dribble.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Zakuani dribbles towards an opposing player during a match|Zakuani against Philadelphia in 2010.]] |
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⚫ | |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=October 5, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |accessdate=November 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/10/seattle_sounders_defeat_columb.html |title=Nyassi is nice: Seattle Sounders defeat Columbus Crew, 2–1, to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champions |first=Steven |last=Goff |date=October 6, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=October 11, 2010}}</ref> On November 7, 2010, he scored the Sounders' first ever playoff goal in a 2–1 loss to the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Gaschk |title=Sounders Season Ends In LA |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2010/11-November/vs-LA-Galaxy.aspx |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |accessdate=April 24, 2011 |date=November 7, 2010}}</ref> He received his [[Permanent residence (United States)|green card]] after the season |
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⚫ | In 2009, a shoulder injury that had limited Zakuani's ability to play the full 90 minutes per game forced him to undergo surgery during the off-season. In his second professional year, Zakuani scored ten goals, equalling the score of striker [[Fredy Montero]] for the team lead. He also made six assists. Zakuani was named MLS Player of the Week twice; the first was after recording both goals in a 2–1 win over [[Colorado Rapids|Colorado]], and the second was awarded for both a goal and an assist in a 2–1 victory over [[Chivas USA]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/sounders/2010/07/26/zakuani-earns-sounders-first-mls-player-of-week-honor/ | title=Zakuani earns Sounders’ first MLS Player of Week honor | work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date=July 26, 2010 | accessdate=January 12, 2015 | author=Johns, Greg}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.news10.net/news/article/101418/364/Zakuani-named-MLS-Player-of-the-Week-for-second-time | title=Zakuani named MLS Player of the Week for second time | publisher=ABC News 10 | date=October 18, 2010 | accessdate=January 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/sounders-zakuani-wins-att-goal-week | title=Sounders' Zakuani wins AT&T Goal of the Week | publisher=Major League Soccer | date=October 22, 2010 | accessdate=January 17, 2015}}</ref> Fans around the league voted the strike against Chivas as the Goal of the Week. Zakuani also won the award for his perfectly timed break past the defensive back line for a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper while scoring a goal against [[Toronto FC]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/zakuani-wins-att-goal-week | title=Zakuani wins AT&T Goal of Week | publisher=Major League Soccer | date=October 10, 2010 | accessdate=January 17, 2015}}</ref> He also recorded the fastest-scored goal in club history with a fourth-minute tally against [[Columbus Crew]], beating the previous record he had set the season before.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |title=Sounders FC weekly release of team news and notes|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2011771562_sounders_fc_weekly_release_of_1.html |accessdate=April 24, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=May 3, 2010}}</ref> Zakuani was again in the starting line-up for the [[2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final|2010 U.S. Open Cup final]], which Seattle won to become the first team since 1983 to repeat as Open Cup champions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2013081756_the_us_open_cup_trophy_is_in_t.html |title=The U.S. Open Cup trophy is in the building |
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⚫ | Zakuani scored two goals and had two assists in his first six appearances of the [[2011 Seattle Sounders FC season|2011 season]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mayers|first=Joshua|title=Sounders FC's depth will be tested in replacing Zakuani|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2014859483_sounders24.html|accessdate=April 23, 2011|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=April 23, 2011}}</ref> On April 22, 2011, |
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⚫ | |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=October 5, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |accessdate=November 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/10/seattle_sounders_defeat_columb.html |title=Nyassi is nice: Seattle Sounders defeat Columbus Crew, 2–1, to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champions |first=Steven |last=Goff |date=October 6, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=October 11, 2010}}</ref> On November 7, 2010, he scored the Sounders' first ever playoff goal in a 2–1 loss to the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Gaschk |title=Sounders Season Ends In LA |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2010/11-November/vs-LA-Galaxy.aspx |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |accessdate=April 24, 2011 |date=November 7, 2010}}</ref> He received his [[Permanent residence (United States)|green card]] after the season; this helped the team because MLS limits the number of international players available to each team and receiving permanent resident status exempted him from the cap.<ref name="Staff 2011-04-24">{{cite news |author=Seattle Times staff |title=Sounders FC's Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Blaise Nkufo, Steve Zakuani granted green cards |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2013618399_sounders08.html |accessdate=April 24, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=December 7, 2010}}</ref> |
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⚫ | Zakuani scored two goals and had two assists in his first six appearances of the [[2011 Seattle Sounders FC season|2011 season]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mayers|first=Joshua|title=Sounders FC's depth will be tested in replacing Zakuani|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2014859483_sounders24.html|accessdate=April 23, 2011|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=April 23, 2011}}</ref> On April 22, 2011, a harsh challenge by [[Brian Mullan]] led to Zakuani fracturing his [[tibia]] and [[fibula]] three minutes into a game against the Colorado Rapids.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2011-04-23-3553213542_x.htm |title=Sounders' Zakuani has fractured tibia, fibula |date=April 23, 2011 |newspaper=USA Today |accessdate=April 24, 2011}}</ref> He was airlifted to hospital and underwent surgery the same day. During recovery, doctors feared that his leg would require amputation because of [[compartment syndrome]].<ref name="SI 10-14"/> The concern was caused by a lack of blood flow that hurt the nerves connecting the area to his foot.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sounderatheart.com/2011/11/7/2545312/steve-zakuani-recovery-reveals-compartment-syndrome | title=Steve Zakuani Continues Recovery, Reveals Compartment Syndrome Complication | publisher=Sounder At Heart | date=November 7, 2011 | accessdate=January 17, 2015 | author=Clark, Dave}}</ref> Mullan initially defended the tackle, saying he would make the challenge again. He later apologized in the face of increasing scrutiny and received a 10-game suspension and a $5,000 fine. Zakuani missed the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/30/sports/la-sp-jones-soccer-20110502 | title=Brian Mullan should leave MLS after vicious tackle of Steve Zakuani | work=The Los Angeles Times | date=April 30, 2011 | accessdate=January 9, 2015 | author=Jones, Grahame L.}}</ref> Zakuani's injury was one of several to key players throughout the league that year, leading to critisism that MLS play was aggressive to the point of "thuggery".<ref>{{cite web | title=Too Fast, To Furious? | work=The Blizzard | date=September 1, 2011 | author=Grossi, James}}</ref> |
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[[File:Heath Pearce vs Steve Zakuani, Sounders FC v. FC Dallas.jpg|thumb|alt=Zakuani vies against a Dallas player for the ball|Zakuani against Dallas in 2011.]] |
[[File:Heath Pearce vs Steve Zakuani, Sounders FC v. FC Dallas.jpg|thumb|alt=Zakuani vies against a Dallas player for the ball|Zakuani against Dallas in 2011.]] |
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On July 7, 2012, |
On July 7, 2012, after 15 months away, Zakuani returned in a match against Mullan and the Rapids. His return as a substitute with five minutes left in the game met provoked emotional cheers from the fans.<ref name="SI 10-14">{{cite web | url=http://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/10/29/steve-zakuani-retires-seattle-sounders-portland-timbers-mls | title=Steve Zakuani retires, ending MLS' most roller coaster-like career | work=Sports Illustrated | date=October 29, 2014 | accessdate=November 14, 2014 | author=Abnds, Alexander}}</ref><ref>{{citation |last=Oshan |first=Jeremiah |date=July 8, 2012 |title=Recap: Zakuani returns as Sounders edge Rapids 2–1 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/07/08/recap-zakuani-returns-sounders-edge-rapids-2-1 |accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref> Having already publicly forgiven Mullan, the two hugged and exchanged shirts after the whistle.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/dirty-tackle/steve-zakuani-returns-horrific-injury-hugs-man-hurt-060826182--sow.html | title=Steve Zakuani returns from horrific injury, hugs the man who hurt him | publisher=Dirty Tackle | date=January 8, 2012 | accessdate=January 9, 2015 | author=Brooks, Peck}}</ref> Within two months, he appeared to further his recovery with an assist against [[FC Dallas]] and then scored a goal against [[San Jose Earthquakes]].<ref>{{citation |last=Robertson |first=Daniel |date=September 2, 2012 |title=Recap: Dallas' playoff hopes hit hard in 1–1 tie with Seattle |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/09/02/recap-dallas-playoff-hopes-hit-hard-1-1-tie-seattle |accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{citation |last=Oshan |first=Jeremiah |date=September 22, 2012 |title=Recap: Quakes score important 2–1 win over rival Sounders |publisher=Major League Soccer|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/09/23/recap-quakes-score-important-2-1-win-over-rival-sounders |accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref> He finished the [[2012 Seattle Sounders FC season| |
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2012 season]] with one goal in 320 minutes over eight matches and went on to play in three playoff games before the team was eliminated.<ref>{{citation |year=2012 |title=Steve Zakuani |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/steve-zakuani |accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name="2012stats">{{citation |year=2012 |title=2012 Team Statistics |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/Team/Stats/2012.aspx |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref> |
2012 season]] with one goal in 320 minutes over eight matches and went on to play in three playoff games before the team was eliminated.<ref>{{citation |year=2012 |title=Steve Zakuani |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/steve-zakuani |accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name="2012stats">{{citation |year=2012 |title=2012 Team Statistics |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/Team/Stats/2012.aspx |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref> |
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During the [[2013 Seattle Sounders FC season|2013 season]], |
During the [[2013 Seattle Sounders FC season|2013 season]], Zakuani made only nine appearances across all competitions before being sidelined with a [[sports hernia]]. In that time, he recorded one assist in league play, and assisting in the game-winning goal against Mexico's [[Tigres UANL]] in the [[2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League|CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals]]. He was later placed on injured reserve and twice underwent surgery on each side of his groin.<ref>{{Citation | first=Jeremiah | last=Oshan | title=Seattle Sounders' Steve Zakuani confident his form will be top-notch "once my body is right" | date=September 4, 2013 | work=MSL Soccer | url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/09/03/seattle-sounders-steve-zakuani-confident-his-form-will-be-top-notch-once-my- | accessdate=September 21, 2013 }}</ref> Zakuani's contract was allowed to expire, effectively ending his five-year career with the Sounders, during which he started in 67 of 78 appearances in league play. At the time, he was the club’s third-leading scorer with 17 goals.<ref>{{cite web | title=Sounders FC’s Steve Zakuani undergoes sports hernia surgery | work=The Seattle Times | date=June 12, 2013 | accessdate=January 15, 2015 | author=Mayers, Joshua}}</ref> |
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====Portland Timbers==== |
====Portland Timbers==== |
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On December 12, 2013, Zakuani was selected by |
On December 12, 2013, Zakuani was selected by [[Portland Timbers]] as the number two pick in the [[2013 MLS Re-Entry Draft|MLS Re-Entry Draft]]; a yearly draft that allows teams to select players who are out-of-contract or have had their options declined by their current teams. The Timbers traded up for the opportunity.<ref name="portlandtimbers">{{cite web|url=http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/12/portland-timbers-select-steve-zakuani-stage-1-mls-re-entry-process|title=Portland Timbers select Steve Zakuani in Stage 1 of MLS Re-Entry Process | Portland Timbers|publisher=portlandtimbers.com|accessdate=2014-03-16}}</ref> Zakuani was reunited with Porter, his former Akron coach, who had become the Portland manager. His pay was cut by $60,000 to $120,000 a year.<ref name="WSS">{{cite web | url=http://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/09/30/the-sad-tale-of-steve-zakuanis-ailing-mls-career/ | title=The Sad Tale Of Steve Zakuani’s Ailing MLS Career | publisher=World Soccer Talk | date=September 30, 2014 | accessdate=November 14, 2014 | author=Asher, Abe}}</ref> Zakuani was expected to receive additional minutes immediately because first-choice winger Rodney Wallace was recovering from injury. Zakuani appeared in the Timbers' opening match of [[2014 Portland Timbers season|2014]] against [[Philadelphia Union]] as a substitute in the 85th minute.<ref name="timbers">{{cite web|url=http://www.timbers.com/news/2014/03/match-recap-portland-timbers-1-philadelphia-union-1|title=Portland Timbers 1, Philadelphia Union 1 | Portland Timbers|publisher=timbers.com|accessdate=2014-03-16}}</ref> The Sounders and Timbers are [[Portland Timbers–Seattle Sounders rivalry|fierce rivals]]; when the teams met in the [[2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup]]. Zakuani assisted former college team-mate [[Darlington Nagbe]] in the Timbers' only goal during the 3–1 loss to his previous club.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140709/SPORTS/140709148 | title=Sounders beat Timbers 3–1 in U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal | work=The Herald | date=July 9, 2014 | accessdate=January 9, 2015 | author=Boyle, John}}</ref> Zakuani scored his first goal for Timbers on August 19, 2014, scoring the opening goal in a 4–1 win over [[Alpha United FC|Alpha United]] in the [[2014–15 CONCACAF Champions League]]. After the match, Porter spoke to the media about the need to bench Zakuani because of his persistent muscle strains.<ref name="WSS"/> |
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2014 was disappointing |
2014 was disappointing for Zakuani; he scored no goals and only three assists.<ref name="WSS"/> On October 29, 2014, Zakuani announced his retirement in a blog post. Having scored only one goal and five assists in the previous three seasons, he cited his difficulty recovering from numerous injuries. He had lost much of his precision, pace, and confidence since being hurt.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/29/timbers-steve-zakuani-announces-retirement-from-professional-soccer/ | title=Timbers’ Steve Zakuani announces retirement from professional soccer | publisher=NBC Sports | date=October 29, 2014 | accessdate=January 12, 2015 | author=Prindville, Mike}}</ref> He retired at the relatively early age of 26; his retirement after his initial promise led ''Sports Illustrated'' to describe his career as a "roller coaster".<ref name="SI 10-14"/> |
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===International=== |
===International=== |
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Zakuani was eligible to play for both [[DR Congo national football team|Congo]] and [[England national football team|England]]. He considers London his hometown but still sees himself as Congolese.<ref name="Interview 15-30"/><ref name="Interview 2009-01-16"/> Of his five siblings, older brother [[Gabriel Zakuani]] |
Zakuani was eligible to play for both [[DR Congo national football team|Congo]] and [[England national football team|England]]. He considers London his hometown but still sees himself as Congolese.<ref name="Interview 15-30"/><ref name="Interview 2009-01-16"/> Of his five siblings, {{as of| April 2015|alt=as of April 2015}}, his older brother [[Gabriel Zakuani]] plays for English club [[Peterborough United]] and is a member of the Congolese national team. He might have been able to play for the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] if granted citizenship. He expressed interest in representing the Congolese national team early in his professional career,<ref name="Interview 2010-01-26"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://m.mlssoccer.com/news/article/under-african-skies-zakuani-dreams-congo-selection | title=Under African Skies: Zakuani dreams of Congo selection | publisher=Major League Soccer | date=June 15, 2010 | accessdate=January 10, 2015 | author=Winner, Andrew}}</ref> but considered his chances of playing for England "a long shot". Later in his career, he expressed interest in playing for the United States, saying, "of the three, I prefer the States as this is where I made my name as a player".<ref>{{cite web |title=Catching up with Steve Zakuani | author= Dan, Brennan|publisher=Arsenal FC |accessdate=March 28, 2014|url=http://www.arsenal.com/usa/news/features/catching-up-with-steve-zakuani}}</ref> |
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In 2010, |
In 2010, Zakuani accepted a call up from Congo for a friendly match against [[Mali national football team|Mali]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2010/11-November/Zakuani-Called-In-By-DR-Congo.aspx |title=Midfielder Steve Zakuani Called In by Congo DR |author=Seattle Sounders FC Public Relations |date=November 12, 2010 |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |accessdate=April 24, 2011}}</ref> In a press release, Zakuani called it the highest honor of his young career.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/sounders/2010/11/12/sounders-midfielder-zakuani-called-in-for-dr-congo-friendly/ | title=Sounders midfielder Zakuani called in for DR Congo friendly | work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date=November 12, 2010 | accessdate=January 10, 2015 | author=Spratt, Gerry}}</ref> It was a challenging decision for him but the wait to become eligible to play for the United States was too long.<ref>{{cite journal | title=Fishing for All-Stars in a Time of Global Free Agency: Understanding FIFA Eligibility Rules and the Impact on the U.S. Men ’s National Team | author=Hall, Courtney D. | journal=Marquette Sports Law Review |date=Fall 2012 | volume=23 | issue=1 | page=200}}</ref> The game was played in Dieppe, France, in November 2010. Zakuani started the match and came off at half-time with Congo in the lead. Mali rallied in the second half, beating Congo in a 3–1 loss.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.prostamerika.com/2010/11/17/zakuanis-congo-debut-ends-in-defeat/32144 | title=Zakuani Plays First Half on DR Congo Debut | publisher=Prost Amerika | date=November 17, 2010 | accessdate=January 10, 2015}}</ref> |
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==Playing style== |
==Playing style== |
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Zakuani was a right-footed player who preferred being on the left of the field. He played on the [[Midfielder#Wide Midfielder|left wing]] in a [[Formation (association football)|4–4–2 formation]] with Arsenal; later he was a [[Forward (association football)|forward]] in college before converting to a winger professionally.<ref name="Interview 2010-01-26">{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Dave |title=Steve Zakuani – 6 days a Sounder |url=http://www.sounderatheart.com/2009/01/steve-zakuani-6-days-a-sounder/ |date=January 26, 2009 |publisher=Sounder at Heart |accessdate=April 24, 2011}}</ref> Zakuani said he played with a style he learned at Arsenal's youth academy and that he tried to emulate the style of former winger [[Robert Pirès]].<ref name="Interview 2009-01-16">{{cite web |last=Cardillo |first=Michael |title=MLS No. 1 Pick Steve Zakuani Takes Time to Talk with FanHouse |url=http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/01/16/mls-no-1-pick-steve-zakuani-chats-with-fanhouse/ |publisher=AOL News |date=January 16, 2009 |accessdate=April 24, 2011}}</ref><ref name="BR Hare">{{cite web | url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/428218-steve-zakuani-from-africa-to-london-to-seattle-sounders-stardom | title=Steve Zakuani: From Africa To London To Seattle Sounders Stardom | publisher=Bleacher Report | date=August 1, 2010 | accessdate=January 12, 2015 | author=Hare, Bill}}</ref> Zakuani often sought advice from former Arsenal star [[Fredrik Ljungberg|Freddie Ljungberg]] when they played together in Seattle.<ref name="Seattle Times Sep15">{{cite web | url=http://seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2009873013_sounders16.html | title=Sounders FC midfielder Steve Zakuani is pleased with MLS rookie season | work=The Seattle Times | date=September 15, 2009 | accessdate=January 12, 2015 | author=José Miguel, Romero}}</ref> Zakuani was a quick, agile player who liked to take defenders one-on-one.<ref name="PI Feb 2010">{{cite web | url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/sounders/2010/02/12/zakuani-ready-to-shoulder-bigger-role-for-sounders-fc/ | title=Zakuani ready to shoulder bigger role for Sounders FC | work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date=February 12, 2010 | accessdate=January 9, 2015 | author=Johns, Greg}}</ref> While coaching him at Akron, Porter said many of Zakuani's goals came after long runs that beat multiple players.<ref name="Seattle Times 2010-04-28"/> |
|||
==Kingdom Hope== |
==Kingdom Hope== |
||
As a teenager in London, |
As a teenager in London, Zakuani began "mixing with the wrong crowd".<ref name="Seattle Times 2010-04-28"/> He was distracted from soccer by girls and parties.<ref name="Seattle Times 2010-04-28"/> He said in an interview, "A lot of the people I grew up with ended up in prison, taking drugs, and never made it to university". He has strong feelings about the increase of knife crime in London since one of his friends was killed.<ref name="Interview 15-30"/> In 2010, he founded the non-profit organization Kingdom Hope to run youth soccer camps in the greater Seattle area.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mayers|first=Joshua|title=Major League Soccer has a tomorrow, links and notes|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2011191856_major_league_soccer_has_a_tomo.html|date=March 2, 2010|accessdate=April 24, 2011|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=February 26, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Clark|first=Dave|title=Beyond the Touchline: Steve Zakuani Launches Kingdom Hope|url=http://www.sounderatheart.com/2010/3/2/1334170/beyond-the-touchline-steve-zakuani|publisher=Sounder at Heart|accessdate=April 24, 2011}}</ref> He remembers being focused on soccer instead of education in Europe; the organization is focused on providing collegiate scholarships to young athletes.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/08/03/13188782/ | title=Sounders FC's Steve Zakuani talks about Kingdom Hope | publisher=NBC King 5 | date=November 8, 2012 | accessdate=January 12, 2015}}</ref> Zakuani has said his ultimate goal is to open an academy to teach life-coaching and soccer to teenagers to provide a "bridge between talent and actually making it".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2015860203_video_steve_zakuani_talks_abou.html | title=Steve Zakuani talks about rehab, Kingdom Hope | work=The Seattle Times | date=August 9, 2011 | accessdate=August 25, 2011 | author=Mayers, Joshua}}</ref> |
||
==Career statistics== |
==Career statistics== |
Revision as of 23:52, 7 April 2015
![]() | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | February 9, 1988 | ||
Place of birth | Kinshasa, Zaire | ||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
Position(s) | Winger | ||
Youth career | |||
1997–2003 | Arsenal | ||
2007–2008 | Akron Zips | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2008 | Cleveland Internationals | 11 | (9) |
2009–2013 | Seattle Sounders FC | 80 | (17) |
2014 | Portland Timbers | 17 | (0) |
Total | 108 | (26) | |
International career‡ | |||
2010 | DR Congo | 1 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 29, 2014 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 29, 2014 |
Steve Zakuani (born February 9, 1988) is a former Congolese association football player. He was Born in Zaire—now the Democratic Republic of the Congo— and grew up in London. After attending college in the United States, he was drafted by Seattle Sounders FC, for whom he played between 2009 and 2013. Zakuani finished his career after one season with the Portland Timbers.
Zakuani played for the Arsenal youth academy but as a teenager he struggled finding a team. He lost focus on soccer and made mistakes in his personal life that culminated in a potentially career-ending injury; Zakuani and a friend crashed while riding a stolen moped. He attended the University of Akron on a soccer scholarship and excelled athletically. In 2008, he was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy award for the top American university player and was named Soccer America men's collegiate player of the year.
Seattle Sounders FC were entering Major League Soccer (MLS) as a new club in 2009. The team selected Zakuani first overall in the MLS SuperDraft. He quickly became a fan favorite and was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year. In 2010, he had success in Seattle, scoring ten goals and debuting for the Congo DR national football team in a friendly. However, in 2011, he suffered a leg injury that almost led to amputation and forced Zakuani to miss 15 months of football. He returned in 2012 but failed to recapture his early success, and retired after playing the 2014 MLS season with the Portland Timbers.
Zakuani played forward in college and as a winger professionally. He was known for his speed and his ability to individually take on the opposing defenders while attacking. He credited his skills to the style he learned at the Arsenal Academy. After making poor personal decisions in his youth, he seeks to assist young players through a non-profit organization Kingdom Hope, which he founded.
Career
Youth and college
Zakuani was born in Kinshasa, Zaire—now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When he was four, his father, Mao Zakuani, moved his family to London for political and professional reasons after receiving a job offer as a translator.[1] The family switched homes often and lived with extended family for long periods. They later settled in a north London neighborhood with other African families, where Zakuani attended White Hart Lane School.[2]
At the age of nine, Zakuani attracted interest from West Ham United's youth program. He later tried out for the youth team of Queens Park Rangers, and in 1997, he joined the Arsenal Academy. Zakuani became cocky and brash while not focusing on schoolwork and was released. His off-the-field issues culminated in serious injuries when he was involved in a crash while riding on a moped that one of his friends had stolen. Zakuani was unable to play for 18 months. After losing interest in soccer and renewing his efforts in school, his teacher and mentor Paul Goodison took him to watch motivational speaker and evangelist Myles Munroe. This inspired Zakuani to renew his commitment to becoming a professional player and, although unsuccessful, he tried out for the senior teams of Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic, AZ Alkmaar, and Real Valladolid.[1]
Zakuani attended the University of Akron after he was noticed while playing at north London's Independent Football Academy.[3] In his freshman season, he scored six goals with the Zips and received a professional offer from Preston North End. He was already committed to the university and declined the opportunity.[1] In 2008, Zakuani scored 20 goals and 7 assists over 23 games to become a finalist for the Hermann Trophy; an award given yearly by the Missouri Athletic Club to the country's top college soccer player.[4] He also became the second sophomore to be named Soccer America's men's collegiate player of the year.[3] He played a portion of the 2008 USL Premier Development League season with the Cleveland Internationals, with whom he scored nine goals and made four assists in 11 matches.[5]
Professional
Seattle Sounders FC
Zakuani was selected by expansion side Seattle Sounders FC as the number-one pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft on a Generation Adidas program contract.[6] He declined offers from two English clubs so he could sign with Major League Soccer; the deal allowed him to set money aside for future college tuition.[7] He started 24 of 30 regular season games in 2009 and played in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final, when the Sounders became the second MLS team to win the tournament in their inaugural season.[8][9] Zakuani provided a much-needed attacking presence from the wing; he was the third-best scorer with four goals throughout the regular season. The press considered him a candidate for Rookie of the Year because he had the highest number of goals and assists of all new players.[10] The award eventually went to Omar Gonzalez.[11] A local reporter praised him for improving his assistance to the defence and making better offensive runs as the season progressed.[12] Although Zakuani was already known as a top young player, coach Sigi Schmid wanted him to improve his on-field decision making and increase his fitness before the next year.[13]
![Zakuani dribbles towards an opposing player during a match](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Steve_Zakuani_dribble.jpg/220px-Steve_Zakuani_dribble.jpg)
In 2009, a shoulder injury that had limited Zakuani's ability to play the full 90 minutes per game forced him to undergo surgery during the off-season. In his second professional year, Zakuani scored ten goals, equalling the score of striker Fredy Montero for the team lead. He also made six assists. Zakuani was named MLS Player of the Week twice; the first was after recording both goals in a 2–1 win over Colorado, and the second was awarded for both a goal and an assist in a 2–1 victory over Chivas USA.[14][15][16] Fans around the league voted the strike against Chivas as the Goal of the Week. Zakuani also won the award for his perfectly timed break past the defensive back line for a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper while scoring a goal against Toronto FC.[17] He also recorded the fastest-scored goal in club history with a fourth-minute tally against Columbus Crew, beating the previous record he had set the season before.[18] Zakuani was again in the starting line-up for the 2010 U.S. Open Cup final, which Seattle won to become the first team since 1983 to repeat as Open Cup champions.[19][20] On November 7, 2010, he scored the Sounders' first ever playoff goal in a 2–1 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy.[21] He received his green card after the season; this helped the team because MLS limits the number of international players available to each team and receiving permanent resident status exempted him from the cap.[11]
Zakuani scored two goals and had two assists in his first six appearances of the 2011 season.[22] On April 22, 2011, a harsh challenge by Brian Mullan led to Zakuani fracturing his tibia and fibula three minutes into a game against the Colorado Rapids.[23] He was airlifted to hospital and underwent surgery the same day. During recovery, doctors feared that his leg would require amputation because of compartment syndrome.[24] The concern was caused by a lack of blood flow that hurt the nerves connecting the area to his foot.[25] Mullan initially defended the tackle, saying he would make the challenge again. He later apologized in the face of increasing scrutiny and received a 10-game suspension and a $5,000 fine. Zakuani missed the remainder of the season.[26] Zakuani's injury was one of several to key players throughout the league that year, leading to critisism that MLS play was aggressive to the point of "thuggery".[27]
![Zakuani vies against a Dallas player for the ball](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Heath_Pearce_vs_Steve_Zakuani%2C_Sounders_FC_v._FC_Dallas.jpg/220px-Heath_Pearce_vs_Steve_Zakuani%2C_Sounders_FC_v._FC_Dallas.jpg)
On July 7, 2012, after 15 months away, Zakuani returned in a match against Mullan and the Rapids. His return as a substitute with five minutes left in the game met provoked emotional cheers from the fans.[24][28] Having already publicly forgiven Mullan, the two hugged and exchanged shirts after the whistle.[29] Within two months, he appeared to further his recovery with an assist against FC Dallas and then scored a goal against San Jose Earthquakes.[30][31] He finished the 2012 season with one goal in 320 minutes over eight matches and went on to play in three playoff games before the team was eliminated.[32][33]
During the 2013 season, Zakuani made only nine appearances across all competitions before being sidelined with a sports hernia. In that time, he recorded one assist in league play, and assisting in the game-winning goal against Mexico's Tigres UANL in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. He was later placed on injured reserve and twice underwent surgery on each side of his groin.[34] Zakuani's contract was allowed to expire, effectively ending his five-year career with the Sounders, during which he started in 67 of 78 appearances in league play. At the time, he was the club’s third-leading scorer with 17 goals.[35]
Portland Timbers
On December 12, 2013, Zakuani was selected by Portland Timbers as the number two pick in the MLS Re-Entry Draft; a yearly draft that allows teams to select players who are out-of-contract or have had their options declined by their current teams. The Timbers traded up for the opportunity.[36] Zakuani was reunited with Porter, his former Akron coach, who had become the Portland manager. His pay was cut by $60,000 to $120,000 a year.[37] Zakuani was expected to receive additional minutes immediately because first-choice winger Rodney Wallace was recovering from injury. Zakuani appeared in the Timbers' opening match of 2014 against Philadelphia Union as a substitute in the 85th minute.[38] The Sounders and Timbers are fierce rivals; when the teams met in the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Zakuani assisted former college team-mate Darlington Nagbe in the Timbers' only goal during the 3–1 loss to his previous club.[39] Zakuani scored his first goal for Timbers on August 19, 2014, scoring the opening goal in a 4–1 win over Alpha United in the 2014–15 CONCACAF Champions League. After the match, Porter spoke to the media about the need to bench Zakuani because of his persistent muscle strains.[37]
It’s gotten to the point where I have to be honest with myself and listen to my body.
– Zakuani announcing his retirement.[24]
2014 was disappointing for Zakuani; he scored no goals and only three assists.[37] On October 29, 2014, Zakuani announced his retirement in a blog post. Having scored only one goal and five assists in the previous three seasons, he cited his difficulty recovering from numerous injuries. He had lost much of his precision, pace, and confidence since being hurt.[40] He retired at the relatively early age of 26; his retirement after his initial promise led Sports Illustrated to describe his career as a "roller coaster".[24]
International
Zakuani was eligible to play for both Congo and England. He considers London his hometown but still sees himself as Congolese.[2][41] Of his five siblings, as of April 2015, his older brother Gabriel Zakuani plays for English club Peterborough United and is a member of the Congolese national team. He might have been able to play for the United States if granted citizenship. He expressed interest in representing the Congolese national team early in his professional career,[42][43] but considered his chances of playing for England "a long shot". Later in his career, he expressed interest in playing for the United States, saying, "of the three, I prefer the States as this is where I made my name as a player".[44]
In 2010, Zakuani accepted a call up from Congo for a friendly match against Mali.[45] In a press release, Zakuani called it the highest honor of his young career.[46] It was a challenging decision for him but the wait to become eligible to play for the United States was too long.[47] The game was played in Dieppe, France, in November 2010. Zakuani started the match and came off at half-time with Congo in the lead. Mali rallied in the second half, beating Congo in a 3–1 loss.[48]
Playing style
Speedy, inventive, and with plenty of flair.
– Description of Zakuani's play in Sports Illustrated.[24]
Zakuani was a right-footed player who preferred being on the left of the field. He played on the left wing in a 4–4–2 formation with Arsenal; later he was a forward in college before converting to a winger professionally.[42] Zakuani said he played with a style he learned at Arsenal's youth academy and that he tried to emulate the style of former winger Robert Pirès.[41][49] Zakuani often sought advice from former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg when they played together in Seattle.[50] Zakuani was a quick, agile player who liked to take defenders one-on-one.[13] While coaching him at Akron, Porter said many of Zakuani's goals came after long runs that beat multiple players.[1]
Kingdom Hope
As a teenager in London, Zakuani began "mixing with the wrong crowd".[1] He was distracted from soccer by girls and parties.[1] He said in an interview, "A lot of the people I grew up with ended up in prison, taking drugs, and never made it to university". He has strong feelings about the increase of knife crime in London since one of his friends was killed.[2] In 2010, he founded the non-profit organization Kingdom Hope to run youth soccer camps in the greater Seattle area.[51][52] He remembers being focused on soccer instead of education in Europe; the organization is focused on providing collegiate scholarships to young athletes.[53] Zakuani has said his ultimate goal is to open an academy to teach life-coaching and soccer to teenagers to provide a "bridge between talent and actually making it".[54]
Career statistics
- As of 3 November 2014
Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
USA | League | Open Cup | League Cup | North America | Total | |||||||
2008[55] | Cleveland Internationals | USL Premier Development League | 11 | 9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 9 |
2009[56] | Seattle Sounders FC | Major League Soccer | 29 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 35 | 4 |
2010[57] | 29 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 37 | 11 | ||
2011[58] | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||
2012[33] | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 2 | ||
2013[59] | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
2014[60] | Portland Timbers | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 20 | 1 | |
Total | USA | 108 | 26 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 131 | 29 | |
Career total | 108 | 26 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 131 | 29 |
Honors
Seattle Sounders FC
- Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (2): 2009, 2010
References
- ^ a b c d e f Mayers, Joshua (April 28, 2010). "Sounders FC's Steve Zakuani followed winding path to fulfill soccer dreams". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ a b c "15/30 Interview – Steve Zakuani". Prost Amerika Soccer. March 29, 2010. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ a b "Zakuani leads English hopes at MLS draft". Evening Telegraph. January 15, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ Jones, Grahame (January 15, 2009). "Seattle makes Steve Zakuani first pick in MLS draft". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ "38 PDL Players taken in MLS Draft" (Press release). USL Soccer. January 16, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ "Gaschk on the SuperDraft". Seattle Sounders FC. January 15, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
- ^ Zakuani, Steve (February 22, 2009). "Adjusting to the pro lifestyle". ESPN. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel (September 2, 2009). "Tonight's lineups: Le Toux, Vagenas start". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ "Seattle Sounders FC Become Second MLS Expansion Team to Claim U.S. Open Cup Crown". United States Soccer Federation. September 2, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ Clark, Travis (April 30, 2009). "Top Five MLS Rookie Performers". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ a b Seattle Times staff (December 7, 2010). "Sounders FC's Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Blaise Nkufo, Steve Zakuani granted green cards". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Clark, Dave (October 6, 2009). "Zakuani – 1st year learnings, Playoff preview". Sounder At Heart. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ^ a b Johns, Greg (February 12, 2010). "Zakuani ready to shoulder bigger role for Sounders FC". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ Johns, Greg (July 26, 2010). "Zakuani earns Sounders' first MLS Player of Week honor". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ "Zakuani named MLS Player of the Week for second time". ABC News 10. October 18, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ "Sounders' Zakuani wins AT&T Goal of the Week". Major League Soccer. October 22, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
- ^ "Zakuani wins AT&T Goal of Week". Major League Soccer. October 10, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (May 3, 2010). "Sounders FC weekly release of team news and notes". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (October 5, 2010). "The U.S. Open Cup trophy is in the building". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
- ^ Goff, Steven (October 6, 2010). "Nyassi is nice: Seattle Sounders defeat Columbus Crew, 2–1, to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champions". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
- ^ Gaschk, Matt (November 7, 2010). "Sounders Season Ends In LA". Seattle Sounders FC. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (April 23, 2011). "Sounders FC's depth will be tested in replacing Zakuani". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Sounders' Zakuani has fractured tibia, fibula". USA Today. April 23, 2011. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Abnds, Alexander (October 29, 2014). "Steve Zakuani retires, ending MLS' most roller coaster-like career". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- ^ Clark, Dave (November 7, 2011). "Steve Zakuani Continues Recovery, Reveals Compartment Syndrome Complication". Sounder At Heart. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
- ^ Jones, Grahame L. (April 30, 2011). "Brian Mullan should leave MLS after vicious tackle of Steve Zakuani". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ Grossi, James (September 1, 2011). "Too Fast, To Furious?". The Blizzard.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|url=
(help) - ^ Oshan, Jeremiah (July 8, 2012), Recap: Zakuani returns as Sounders edge Rapids 2–1, Major League Soccer, retrieved January 4, 2013
- ^ Brooks, Peck (January 8, 2012). "Steve Zakuani returns from horrific injury, hugs the man who hurt him". Dirty Tackle. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ Robertson, Daniel (September 2, 2012), Recap: Dallas' playoff hopes hit hard in 1–1 tie with Seattle, Major League Soccer, retrieved January 4, 2013
- ^ Oshan, Jeremiah (September 22, 2012), Recap: Quakes score important 2–1 win over rival Sounders, Major League Soccer, retrieved January 4, 2013
- ^ Steve Zakuani, Major League Soccer, 2012, retrieved January 4, 2013
- ^ a b 2012 Team Statistics, Seattle Sounders FC, 2012, retrieved January 4, 2013
- ^ Oshan, Jeremiah (September 4, 2013), "Seattle Sounders' Steve Zakuani confident his form will be top-notch "once my body is right"", MSL Soccer, retrieved September 21, 2013
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (June 12, 2013). "Sounders FC's Steve Zakuani undergoes sports hernia surgery". The Seattle Times.
{{cite web}}
:|access-date=
requires|url=
(help); Missing or empty|url=
(help) - ^ "Portland Timbers select Steve Zakuani in Stage 1 of MLS Re-Entry Process | Portland Timbers". portlandtimbers.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
- ^ a b c Asher, Abe (September 30, 2014). "The Sad Tale Of Steve Zakuani's Ailing MLS Career". World Soccer Talk. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
- ^ "Portland Timbers 1, Philadelphia Union 1 | Portland Timbers". timbers.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
- ^ Boyle, John (July 9, 2014). "Sounders beat Timbers 3–1 in U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal". The Herald. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ Prindville, Mike (October 29, 2014). "Timbers' Steve Zakuani announces retirement from professional soccer". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ a b Cardillo, Michael (January 16, 2009). "MLS No. 1 Pick Steve Zakuani Takes Time to Talk with FanHouse". AOL News. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ a b Clark, Dave (January 26, 2009). "Steve Zakuani – 6 days a Sounder". Sounder at Heart. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Winner, Andrew (June 15, 2010). "Under African Skies: Zakuani dreams of Congo selection". Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ^ Dan, Brennan. "Catching up with Steve Zakuani". Arsenal FC. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ Seattle Sounders FC Public Relations (November 12, 2010). "Midfielder Steve Zakuani Called In by Congo DR". Seattle Sounders FC. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Spratt, Gerry (November 12, 2010). "Sounders midfielder Zakuani called in for DR Congo friendly". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ^ Hall, Courtney D. (Fall 2012). "Fishing for All-Stars in a Time of Global Free Agency: Understanding FIFA Eligibility Rules and the Impact on the U.S. Men 's National Team". Marquette Sports Law Review. 23 (1): 200.
- ^ "Zakuani Plays First Half on DR Congo Debut". Prost Amerika. November 17, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ^ Hare, Bill (August 1, 2010). "Steve Zakuani: From Africa To London To Seattle Sounders Stardom". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ José Miguel, Romero (September 15, 2009). "Sounders FC midfielder Steve Zakuani is pleased with MLS rookie season". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (February 26, 2010). "Major League Soccer has a tomorrow, links and notes". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Clark, Dave. "Beyond the Touchline: Steve Zakuani Launches Kingdom Hope". Sounder at Heart. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ "Sounders FC's Steve Zakuani talks about Kingdom Hope". NBC King 5. November 8, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ Mayers, Joshua (August 9, 2011). "Steve Zakuani talks about rehab, Kingdom Hope". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
- ^ "Cleveland Internationals 2008 Roster". United Soccer Leagues. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
- ^ "2009 Team Statistics". Seattle Sounders. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
- ^ "2010 Team Statistics". Seattle Sounders FC. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ "2011 Team Statistics". Seattle Sounders FC. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ "2013 Team Statistics". Seattle Sounders FC. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ "2014 Team Statistics". Portland Timbers. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
External links