Akeem O'Connor-Ward

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Akeem O'Connor-Ward
Personal information
Full nameAkeem O'Connor-Ward
Date of birth (1996-01-05) January 5, 1996 (age 29)
Place of birthVienna, Virginia, United States
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
PositionDefender
Team information
Current team
Colorado Springs Switchbacks
Number3
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2015Hastings Broncos20(2)
2016–2018Creighton Bluejays47(2)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2016–2017Lane United23(0)
2018Chicago FC United7(0)
2019D.C. United1(0)
2019→ Loudoun United (loan)9(0)
2019Birmingham Legion13(0)
2020North Carolina FC11(1)
2021–2022Oakland Roots32(1)
2022→ Rio Grande Valley FC (loan)14(2)
2023–2024Memphis 90164(3)
2025–Colorado Springs Switchbacks25(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 27, 2025

Akeem O'Connor-Ward (born January 5, 1996) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

Career

[edit]

Ward was selected 14th overall by D.C. United in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, and he signed a professional contract with the club on January 31, 2019. “We had him rated as the best right back in the draft,” said United GM Dave Kasper. “We liked everything about him."[1][2]

He was loaned out to D.C.'s USL affiliate Loudoun United in March 2019.[3] He made his USL Championship debut on March 9, 2019, as he played all ninety minutes in a 2–0 away defeat to Nashville SC.[4] He was waived by DC United on July 24, 2019.[5]

Ward joined USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC on July 30, 2019.[6]

In February 2020, Ward signed with North Carolina FC.[7] He scored the first goal of his professional career on August 8, 2020, the lone tally in a 1–0 NCFC win over Memphis 901 FC.[8] He was later suspended for two games by the USL Championship for kicking Charlotte Independence player Clay Dimick in the neck during a game on August 26, 2020.[9] Ward apologized in a tweet, saying he "lashed out" without intending to hit Dimick.[10]

On January 13, 2021, Ward signed with Oakland Roots ahead of their inaugural USL Championship season.[11] On July 8, 2022, Ward was loaned to USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC for the remainder of the season.[12] He left Oakland following their 2022 season.[13]

Ward joined Memphis 901 on January 18, 2023.[14]

Memphis 901 folded following the 2024 season, and Ward subsequently signed with Colorado Springs Switchbacks on January 1, 2025.[15]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "MLS Draft 2019: D.C. United select Creighton defender Akeem Ward". blackandredunited.com. January 11, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  2. ^ "D.C. United signs 2019 SuperDraft pick Akeem Ward". blackandredunited.com. January 31, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  3. ^ "Loudoun United signs 1, receives 3 on loan from D.C. United for opener". blackandredunited.com. March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  4. ^ "Nashville vs. Loudoun United – 9 March 2019 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  5. ^ "DC United sign attacker Gordon Wild, waive defender Akeem Ward | MLSsoccer.com".
  6. ^ Team, Legion FC Communications (July 30, 2019). "Legion FC Signs Defender Akeem Ward". Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  7. ^ "NORTH CAROLINA FC STRENGTHENS DEFENSE WITH ADDITION OF AKEEM WARD". NorthCarolinaFC.com. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  8. ^ "North Carolina FC gets second win of the season after defeating Memphis 901 FC". WRAL Sports Fan. WRAL. August 8, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  9. ^ @USLChampionship (August 28, 2020). "IDP decision on Akeem Ward review" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ Leiker, Emily (August 28, 2020). "Game on: North Carolina FC prepares for Saturday's home match with Memphis 901 FC". The News & Observer. Retrieved September 3, 2020.(registration required)
  11. ^ "Roots Sign Former MLS SuperDraft Pick Akeem Ward". January 13, 2021. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  12. ^ "Toros acquire O'Connor-Ward on loan from Oakland". July 8, 2022.
  13. ^ 🖉"Oakland Roots Sports Club Announce 2023 Roster Updates".
  14. ^ "901 FC adds experienced defender Akeem Ward". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "Switchbacks sign veteran defender Akeem Ward". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
[edit]
Flag of United StatesSoccer icon

This biographical article related to association football in the United States, about a defender born in the 1990s, is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Akeem_O%27Connor-Ward&oldid=1319559704"

    Akeem O'Connor-Ward
    Personal information
    Full nameAkeem O'Connor-Ward
    Date of birth (1996-01-05) January 5, 1996 (age 29)
    Place of birthVienna, Virginia, United States
    Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
    PositionDefender
    Team information
    Current team
    		Colorado Springs Switchbacks
    Number3
    College career
    YearsTeamApps(Gls)
    2015Hastings Broncos20(2)
    2016–2018Creighton Bluejays47(2)
    Senior career*
    YearsTeamApps(Gls)
    2016–2017Lane United23(0)
    2018Chicago FC United7(0)
    2019D.C. United1(0)
    2019→ Loudoun United (loan)9(0)
    2019Birmingham Legion13(0)
    2020North Carolina FC11(1)
    2021–2022Oakland Roots32(1)
    2022→ Rio Grande Valley FC (loan)14(2)
    2023–2024Memphis 90164(3)
    2025–Colorado Springs Switchbacks25(0)
    * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 27, 2025

    Akeem O'Connor-Ward (born January 5, 1996) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

    Career

    Ward was selected 14th overall by D.C. United in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, and he signed a professional contract with the club on January 31, 2019. “We had him rated as the best right back in the draft,” said United GM Dave Kasper. “We liked everything about him."[1][2]

    He was loaned out to D.C.'s USL affiliate Loudoun United in March 2019.[3] He made his USL Championship debut on March 9, 2019, as he played all ninety minutes in a 2–0 away defeat to Nashville SC.[4] He was waived by DC United on July 24, 2019.[5]

    Ward joined USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC on July 30, 2019.[6]

    In February 2020, Ward signed with North Carolina FC.[7] He scored the first goal of his professional career on August 8, 2020, the lone tally in a 1–0 NCFC win over Memphis 901 FC.[8] He was later suspended for two games by the USL Championship for kicking Charlotte Independence player Clay Dimick in the neck during a game on August 26, 2020.[9] Ward apologized in a tweet, saying he "lashed out" without intending to hit Dimick.[10]

    On January 13, 2021, Ward signed with Oakland Roots ahead of their inaugural USL Championship season.[11] On July 8, 2022, Ward was loaned to USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC for the remainder of the season.[12] He left Oakland following their 2022 season.[13]

    Ward joined Memphis 901 on January 18, 2023.[14]

    Memphis 901 folded following the 2024 season, and Ward subsequently signed with Colorado Springs Switchbacks on January 1, 2025.[15]

    References

    1. ^ "MLS Draft 2019: D.C. United select Creighton defender Akeem Ward". blackandredunited.com. January 11, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
    2. ^ "D.C. United signs 2019 SuperDraft pick Akeem Ward". blackandredunited.com. January 31, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
    3. ^ "Loudoun United signs 1, receives 3 on loan from D.C. United for opener". blackandredunited.com. March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
    4. ^ "Nashville vs. Loudoun United – 9 March 2019 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
    5. ^ "DC United sign attacker Gordon Wild, waive defender Akeem Ward | MLSsoccer.com".
    6. ^ Team, Legion FC Communications (July 30, 2019). "Legion FC Signs Defender Akeem Ward". Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
    7. ^ "NORTH CAROLINA FC STRENGTHENS DEFENSE WITH ADDITION OF AKEEM WARD". NorthCarolinaFC.com. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
    8. ^ "North Carolina FC gets second win of the season after defeating Memphis 901 FC". WRAL Sports Fan. WRAL. August 8, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
    9. ^ @USLChampionship (August 28, 2020). "IDP decision on Akeem Ward review" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    10. ^ Leiker, Emily (August 28, 2020). "Game on: North Carolina FC prepares for Saturday's home match with Memphis 901 FC". The News & Observer. Retrieved September 3, 2020.(registration required)
    11. ^ "Roots Sign Former MLS SuperDraft Pick Akeem Ward". January 13, 2021. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
    12. ^ "Toros acquire O'Connor-Ward on loan from Oakland". July 8, 2022.
    13. ^ 🖉"Oakland Roots Sports Club Announce 2023 Roster Updates".
    14. ^ "901 FC adds experienced defender Akeem Ward". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
    15. ^ "Switchbacks sign veteran defender Akeem Ward". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
    • D.C. United profile
    • Creighton profile
    Flag of United StatesSoccer icon

    This biographical article related to association football in the United States, about a defender born in the 1990s, is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Akeem_O%27Connor-Ward&oldid=1319559704"