Akeem O'Connor-Ward (born January 6, 1996) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for USL Championship club Rio Grande Valley FC on loan from Oakland Roots.[1]
Personal information | |||
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Full name | Akeem O'Connor-Ward | ||
Date of birth | (1996-01-05) January 5, 1996 (age 26) | ||
Place of birth | Vienna, Virginia, United States | ||
Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Club information | |||
Current team |
Rio Grande Valley FC (on loan from Oakland Roots) | ||
Number | 31 | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015 | Hastings Broncos | 20 | (2) |
2016–2018 | Creighton Bluejays | 47 | (2) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2016–2017 | Lane United | 23 | (0) |
2018 | Chicago FC United | 7 | (0) |
2019 | D.C. United | 1 | (0) |
2019 | → Loudoun United (loan) | 9 | (0) |
2019 | Birmingham Legion | 13 | (0) |
2020 | North Carolina FC | 11 | (1) |
2021– | Oakland Roots | 32 | (1) |
2022– | → Rio Grande Valley FC (loan) | 14 | (2) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 21, 2022 |
Ward was selected 14th overall by D.C. United in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, and he signed a professional contract with the club on January 31, 2019. “We had him rated as the best right back in the draft,” said United GM Dave Kasper. “We liked everything about him."[2][3]
He was loaned out to D.C.'s USL affiliate Loudoun United in March 2019.[4] He made his USL Championship debut on March 9, 2019, as he played all ninety minutes in a 2–0 away defeat to Nashville SC.[5] He was waived by DC United on July 24, 2019.[6]
Ward joined USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC on July 30, 2019.[7]
In February 2020, Ward signed with North Carolina FC.[8] He scored the first goal of his professional career on August 8, 2020, the lone tally in a 1–0 NCFC win over Memphis 901 FC.[9] He was later suspended for two games by the USL Championship for kicking Charlotte Independence player Clay Dimick in the neck during a game on August 26, 2020.[10] Ward apologized in a tweet, saying he "lashed out" without intending to hit Dimick.[11]
On January 13, 2021, Ward signed with Oakland Roots ahead of their inaugural USL Championship season.[12] On July 8, 2022, Ward was loaned to USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC for the remainder of the season.[13]
Rio Grande Valley FC – current squad | |
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D.C. United first-round draft picks | |
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2019 MLS SuperDraft first-round selections | |
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