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

Ariel Mbumba
Personal information
Full name Ariel Mbumba
Date of birth (2001-09-24) 24 September 2001 (age 23)
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 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 1, 20244

Early life

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

Club career

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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

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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

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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

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

Career statistics

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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

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  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.
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