By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)
The Sierra Leonean born, Buba Fofanah, has finished the year with nine goals with eleven assists and their side are earning 24 points in the table.
With his goal and points total, they are ranked second, respectively, in the Major league soccer.
Buba plays for Portland Pilots FC in United States of America.
Fofanah was fortunate to be selected as the 81st player among the shining stars in the 2024 MLS Super draft.
On Tuesday Fofanah, the 22-year-old, who has been a pivotal player for Portland Pilots, has been handed a fresh start in the Major League soccer ranks.
For the first time Pilots have had three players taken in the MLS SuperDraft. He was named in the All-WCC second team selection and also earned CSC Academic All-District honour.
The annual event, MLS SuperDraft , in which collegiate players may be selected by professional clubs, remains an important part of the way the league operates even in an era in which many teams rely more heavily on the production line of their own youth academy.
Famous MLS figures including Andre Blake, Andrew Farrell, Geoff Cameron and Jozy Altidore have been selected via the SuperDraft.
“While some could make a swift step up to the professional leagues, others may find their pathway takes them to MLS NEXT Pro, in which young prospects can develop further with MLS reserve teams before attempting the jump to the highest level.”
“ More recently, Canada internationals Alistair Johnson and Tajon Buchanan have seen the SuperDraft propel them to stardom. The 2024 MLS SuperDraft will begin with Toronto FC’s first pick. The excitement is already building,” The Sporting News writes.
However, Fofanah, 22, appeared in all 54 matches, making 30 starts for Portland from 2020-2023, while recording 16 goals and 11 assists.
Due to his outstanding performances over the years, the forward was an All-West Coast Conference Honorable as a freshman and was mentioned in the All-WCC Freshman Team after scoring four goals, making another two assists in 2020.
Fofanah scored an additional three goals from 2021-2022 before scoring nine goals in 2023, including a brace against UC Santa Barbara on September 1.
And his performance in 2023 has earned him All-WCC Second Team honours as Portland finished third in the WCC.