Bernard Kamungo (born January 1, 2002) is a professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas. Born a Congolese refugee in Tanzania, he represents the United States national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | January 1, 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Kasulu, Tanzania | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | FC Dallas | ||
| Number | 77 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2017–2021 | Abilene High School | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2023 | North Texas SC | 52 | (22) |
| 2022– | FC Dallas | 36 | (6) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023 | United States U23 | 4 | (0) |
| 2024– | United States | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of June 2, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of January 20, 2024 | |||
Club career
editBorn in Kasulu, Kamungo and his family had lived in a refugee camp after his parents fled Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1] In 2016, they were relocated to the United States and settle in Abilene, Texas.[2] After moving to the United States, Kamungo was a member of the Abilene High School soccer team, the Abilene Eagles, and played under head coach Kyle Riese.[2] Following his graduation from high school, Kamungo, alongside his brother Imani, began searching online for potential tryouts for Bernard. After seeing tryouts elsewhere with participation fees as high as $500, Imani found a tryout with North Texas SC, the reserve team for MLS side FC Dallas, for only a $90 fee.[2] During that January 2021 trial, Kamungo impressed North Texas head coach Eric Quill and was signed to a professional contract on March 25.[3]
On April 24, 2021, Kamungo made his debut against Fort Lauderdale CF, coming on as a 71st-minute substitute for Hope Avayevu. Eight minutes after coming onto the pitch, Kamungo scored his first professional goal as the match would end in a 4–2 victory.[4]
On August 30, 2022, Kamungo signed a four-year contract with FC Dallas.[5]
On April 15, 2023, he scored his first goal against Real Salt Lake in the 88th minute, which turned out to be the winning goal in a 2–1 FC Dallas victory.
International career
editKamungo received his first call-up to the Tanzania national team in June 2023 for a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Niger.[6]
On October 8, 2023, Kamungo was called up to the United States under-23 national team ahead of friendlies against Mexico and Japan.[7]
Kamungo made his debut for the senior United States national team on January 20, 2024, in a friendly against Slovenia.[8]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of match played June 2, 2024[9]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| North Texas SC | 2021 | USL League One | 23 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 6 | ||||
| 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 25 | 16 | — | — | — | — | 25 | 16 | |||||
| 2023 | MLS Next Pro | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 52 | 22 | – | – | – | – | 52 | 22 | ||||||
| FC Dallas | 2022 | MLS | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2023 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 4[c] | 2 | 24 | 8 | |||
| 2024 | 19 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 19 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 36 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 44 | 8 | ||
| Career total | 88 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 96 | 30 | ||
- ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup
- ^ Includes MLS Cup Playoffs
- ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup
International
edit- As of match played January 20, 2024[10]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
References
edit- ^ "He grew up in a refugee camp. Now he's on the rise with the USMNT". The Washington Post.
- ^ a b c Arnold, John (April 20, 2021). "Tanzania to Texas to tryout: Bernard Kamungo came to North Texas SC, and they're glad he did". The Striker Texas. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ Carrick, Buzz (March 25, 2021). "North Texas SC signs open trialist Bernard Kamungo". 3rd Degree. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ "North Texas SC 4–2 Fort Lauderdale CF". Soccerway.
- ^ "FC Dallas Signs Forward Bernard Kamungo". FCDallas.com. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- ^ "Bernard Kamunga Called into National Team Duty for Tanzania". FC Dallas. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Twenty-Three Players Called to U.S. Olympic Men's Soccer Team Training Camp as Preparations for Paris 2024 Kick Off in Phoenix". ussoccer.com. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ "USA v Slovenia game report". ESPN. January 20, 2024.
- ^ Bernard Kamungo at Soccerway
- ^ Bernard Kamungo at National-Football-Teams.com
External links
edit
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