Steve Zakuani

• Returned from fractured right tibia and fibula to score one goal and one assist in eight appearances in 2012.
• Finished 2010 season as team's co-leader with 10 goals and recorded a career-high six assists.
• Top selection in 2009 MLS SuperDraft.
• Coach Sigi Schmid: “Steve’s a dangerous dribbler, comfortable on either side of the field with good speed.”

How Acquired:
Selected with the first overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, January 15, 2009.

MLS Experience:

• 2012: Made four starts in eight regular season appearances after returning from in jury. Made first MLS appearance in over 14 months vs. COL (7/7) and made first start 500 days after his injury at DAL (9/2), recording first assist of season. Scored first goal of season vs. SJ (9/22), and scored first career CCL goal vs. Marathon (10/24). Made three appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs, logging 99 minutes.
• 2011: Played just six games before suffering fractured right tibia and fibula at COL (4/22). Was off to strong start, scoring (2) and assisting (2) in four straight matches from 3/25-4/16. Scored equalizing goal in 80th minute in 1-1 draw vs. HOU (3/25). Scored game-winning goal in 2-1 win vs. CHI (4/9). Recorded assists in draws at SJ (4/2) and PHI (4/16). Named to MLS soccer.com Team of the Week at SJ (4/2) and vs. CHI (4/9).
• 2010: Surpassed his 2009 totals with 27 starts and 2285 minutes. Finished as team’s co-leader with 10 goals and added six assists. Named MLS Player of the Week twice in 2010; first for his brace vs. COL (7/25) and also for his one goal, one assist performance in a 2-1 home win over CHV (10/15). Scored the earliest goal in franchise history when he struck in the 4th minute vs. CLB (5/1). Recorded four game-winning assists and one game-winning goal. Became first player in club history to score in the postseason at LA (11/7). Appeared in 37 matches in all competitions, making 33 starts. Added three assists in the U.S. Open Cup, including two assists in semifinal win vs. CHV (9/1). Two of his 10 goals were named Goal of the Week (Weeks 27 and 29).
• 2009: Dynamic contributor in first year as a professional. Finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year, leading all first-year players in goals (4) and assists (4). Appeared in 31 games, starting 26 on the left wing, including both playoff legs vs. HOU (10/29, 11/8). Finished fourth on club in points (12). Scored first career MLS goal in club’s first road game, a 2-0 win at TOR (4/4). First assist set up the game-winner in 2-0 win vs. RSL (3/28). Goal in 2-1 road win at DC (9/12) was voted MLS Goal of the Week. Three of his four goals came on the road and Seattle was 2-0-1 in those matches. Appeared in four of six U.S. Open Cup games, starting three, including the final vs. DC (9/2). Had game-winning assist in extra time of 2-1 USOC semifinal win vs. HOU (7/21).

College:

• 2008: Led the nation in goals (20) and points (47) while appearing in all 23 games for the Zips. Both goal and point totals ranked fifth on the school’s single season list and was one of three Hermann Trophy finalists. First Akron player and just the second sophomore overall to be named Soccer America Player of the Year. Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year, NSCAA/adidas All-America and All-Great Lakes Region first team honoree. Soccer America first team All-American, College Soccer News first team All-American and MAC Player of the Year. Forced to miss the only start of his college career due to an ankle injury in the MAC Tournament championship game versus Northern Illinois but responded by scoring the game-winning goal in double-overtime against the Huskies to give Akron its sixth league tournament title. Registered the first two hat tricks of his career against Northern Illinois (Oct. 4) and Wright State (Oct. 15). Was twice named Top Drawer Soccer’s National Player of the Week (Oct. 6, 10). Garnered MAC Player of the Week honors six times to set a new league record.
• 2007: As a freshman, College Soccer News All-Freshman team honoree and Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year. Also a first team All-MAC and first team NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region performer. Paced the Zips with six goals, three game-winners and added a pair of assists for a team-high 14 points. First career goal was a game-winner in a 1-0 defeat of UAB (Sept. 2).

Club/High School:
Prior to Akron, played with the Arsenal youth team until age 14 (1997-2002). Played at the Independent Football Academy in London, England, from 2004-07. Attended Gladesmore Community School.

International:
Made international debut for DR Congo vs. Mali (11/12/10), starting and playing 45 minutes.

Personal:
Parents are Mao and Cecile Zakuani. Was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has five siblings: Angela, Gabriel, Sosthene, Admira and Claudia. Older brother Gabriel plays for Peterborough United FC in League One. Enjoys reading and watching African comedies in his spare time. Lists his biggest athletic thrill as playing vs. Barcelona. Recieved U.S. Green Card December 2010.