Abdus Ibrahim a Rising Force in American Professional Soccer

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Abdus Fuad Ibrahim is an Ethiopian-born American soccer player who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS). Oh, by the way, he is only 18 years old, and was only 15 years old when he was first drafted to play in the MLS in 2007.

He grew up in Richfield, Minnesota and attended Richfield High School. Ibrahim then played for a local club team called Wings United. In 2005 Ibrahim became part of the US National Under-17 residency program, based at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He later attended the Edison Academy. Ibrahim also spent a brief period playing for the Toronto youth academy called Infera United.

Ibrahim was drafted in the second round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas, which made him the second-youngest player ever to be selected in an MLS SuperDraft. Only 14-year old Freddy Adu was younger when drafted in 2004. Dallas then traded his rights before ever playing him to Toronto FC in June 2008 in exchange for a conditional draft pick in the 2010 draft. He finally made his MLS debut on July 12, 2008 against the Chicago Fire and promptly scored his first professional goal in that very first game.

Ibrahim has been a member of the U.S. National Under-17 residency program, based at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He was also an integral member of the US team that lost to Germany in the Round of 16 at the 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in South Korea, appearing in all four matches during the tournament. He has also been called up to participate in matches and training camps with the Under-20 national team.

Abdus has played four matches in the 2010 MLS season for Toronto FC and has thus far scored one goal. And he doesn’t turn 19 for another few weeks.

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