Ariel Mbumba (born 24 September 2001) is a Congolese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the USL League One team, Spokane Velocity FC.

Ariel Mbumba
Personal information
Full name Ariel Mbumba
Date of birth (2001-09-24) 24 September 2001 (age 22)
Place of birth Kinshasa, DR Congo
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Spokane Velocity FC
Number 14
Youth career
2015 San Jose Earthquakes
2015–2018 Silicon Valley SA
2018 Portland Timbers
2018–2020 De Anza Force
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Oakland Roots 32 (3)
2022–2024 Columbus Crew 2 4 (0)
2024– Spokane Velocity 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 22, 2022

Early life edit

Mbumba was born in Kinshasa, Mbumba moved with his family to San Jose in the United States.[1]

Club career edit

Mbumba joined the youth setup of Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes in 2015 before joining Silicon Valley Soccer Academy, then Juventus Sport Club later that year.[2] He stayed with Silicon Valley SA until 2018 when he briefly joined the Portland Timbers youth academy. He then returned to the Bay Area and joined De Anza Force.[2]

Oakland Roots edit

Mbumba joined National Independent Soccer Association club Oakland Roots prior to the 2020 Spring Season and played in their opening match against Chattanooga FC.[3] He came on as a substitute in the 1–1 draw.[3] Following the club's move to the USL Championship, Mbumba was re-signed prior to the 2021 season.[1] In the club's opening match of the season on 8 May 2021 against Phoenix Rising, Mbumba came on as a 78th minute substitute in the 3–0 defeat.[4]

On 2 June 2021, Mbumba scored his first goal for Oakland Roots during their 3–3 draw against Sacramento Republic.[5]

Columbus Crew 2 edit

Mbumba transferred to MLS Next Pro side Columbus Crew 2 on August 12, 2022. Mbumba was the last remaining player on Roots SC from their first season.[6][7]

Spokane Velocity FC edit

Mbumba joined the USL League One team, Spokane Velocity, for its inaugural season in April 2024.[8]

Career statistics edit

As of match played 2 June 2021[9]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Oakland Roots 2019–20[10] National Independent Soccer Association 2 0 2 0
2020–21[10] National Independent Soccer Association 5 0 2 0 7 0
2021 USL Championship 3 1 0 0 3 1
Total 10 1 2 0 0 0 12 1
Career total 10 1 2 0 0 0 12 1

References edit

  1. ^ a b Zimmerman, Douglas (8 May 2021). "After ownership dispute, roster turnover, abrupt coaching swap, Oakland Roots ready for USL debut". San Francisco Gate. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Ariel Mbumba". U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
  3. ^ a b Zimmerman, Douglas (7 March 2020). "Oakland Roots win first NISA league match". San Francisco Gate. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Phoenix Rising 3–0 Oakland Roots". Soccerway.
  5. ^ "Sacramento Republic 3–3 Oakland Roots". Soccerway.
  6. ^ "OAKLAND ROOTS TRANSFER ARIEL MBUMBA TO COLUMBUS CREW 2". OaklandRootsSC.com. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Columbus Crew 2 signs Ariel Mbumba from Oakland Roots SC". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  8. ^ USL Spokane (2 April 2024). "Ariel Mbumba Signed by Spokane Velocity FC". Spokane Velocity FC. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  9. ^ Ariel Mbumba at Soccerway
  10. ^ a b "Ariel Mbumba". National Independent Soccer Association.

External links edit