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Ousmane Sylla (Senegalese footballer)
Ousmane Sylla (born 7 August 2001) is a Senegalese footballer. He played college soccer for the Clemson Tigers, winning the 2023 Hermann Trophy as the top collegiate men's player that season. Early lifeSylla was born in Dakar, Senegal.[1] He eventually moved to the United States, where he attended Montverde Academy and played for their SIMA soccer program.[2] College careerIn 2020, he committed to attend Clemson University to play for the men's soccer team,[3] however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he began attending in January 2021.[4] He made his collegiate debut on 7 March 2021, starting against the Syracuse Orange.[5] On 13 March 2021, he scored his first collegiate goal, netting the overtime winner in a 1–0 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies,[6] which earned him NCAA Division I men's Player of the Week honors.[7] At the end of his first season, he was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team.[8] After his sophomore season, he was named to the All-ACC Second Team and the All-South Region Second Team.[9][10] On 26 August 2022, he scored a brace in a 3–2 victory in the season opener against the Indiana Hoosiers,[11] which earned him ACC co-Offensive Player of the Week honors.[12] Sylla received first-team All-ACC and second-team All-South Region honors for the season,[13][14] and was invited to participate in the MLS College Showcase.[15] Ahead of his senior season, Sylla was named to the ACC Preseason Watch List.[16] On 29 September 2023, he scored a winning goal with four seconds remaining in the match to lead Clemson to a 3–2 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies,[17] subsequently being named to the National Team of the Week,[18] an honour he received another four times that season.[19] The following week, he was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week.[20] He helped the team win the national title, being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player and being selected to the All-Tournament Team.[21] At the end of the season, he was named a first-team All-American and won the 2023 Hermann Trophy as the top collegiate player.[19][22] Club careerAt the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Sylla was selected in the second round (55th overall) by Houston Dynamo FC. In February 2024, he signed a professional contract with the club for the 2024 season, with options through 2027.[23] He made his professional debut on March 13, 2024, for the Dynamo in a 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup match against the Columbus Crew.[24] On 7 November 2024, his contract option was declined by Houston following their 2024 season.[25] Career statistics
HonoursClemson University References
External links
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