About Matai Akinmboni
Matai Akinmboni is a rising star in the MLS. Born on October 17, 2006 (yes, he’s young!), Akinmboni currently plays as a central defender for D.C. United first team. Prior, he had been training at the D.C. United Academy and playing for D.C. United’s USL affiliate Loudoun United.
Akinmboni signed with D.C. United as a Homegrown player in August 2022, becoming the youngest player to sign with the club. He made his professional debut on September 10, 2022, in a match against Real Salt Lake, becoming the third-youngest player to debut in MLS history.
With his impressive height of 6’2″ and exceptional skills on the field, Akinmboni has quickly become a fan favorite and a player to watch in the league.
Despite his young age, Akinmboni has already garnered attention from national teams. He is eligible to play for Ghana, Nigeria, and the United States, and was recently named to the U.S. under-17 squad in August.
As he continues to develop his skills and gain experience on the field, many are excited to see what the future holds for this promising young player.
Matai Akinmboni Highlights
Akinmboni’s professional career is off to a fast start but because he’s so young (and a defender), the highlights are limited. Here is one from his MLS NEXT days with D.C. United Academy.