Thabiso Khumalo

MLS Experience

2009: After impressing the team on a loan late in the 2008 season, United signed Thabiso “Boyzzz” Khumalo before the start of the 2009 campaign. Seeing time in the midfield and as a forward, Khumalo was a big part of the team’s U.S. Open Cup run, playing every minute of the first five games and scoring three goals. In the semifinal win against Rochester, however, the South Africa native suffered a broken radius, that later got infected, sidelined Khumalo for nine weeks. Coming back late in the season, Khumalo was a potent weapon for the Black-and-Red, registering two goals and an assist while playing in the last five games of the season. In all competitions, Khumalo played in 19 matches (11 starts) for the Black-and-Red, tallying five goals and two assists.

2008: Thabiso “Boyzzz” Khumalo was signed by D.C. United on 9/12 and made his club debut on 9/13 in 2-2 draw with FC Dallas. His first League goal came in United’s 5-2 loss to the LA Galaxy on 10/20. He finished the season with seven League appearances (six starts) and notched a goal and an assist in 468 minutes on the field. He also played in all six CONCACAF Champions League games (four starts).
Other Experience

2008: Khumalo returned to the United States and joined the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2). He went on to become the club’s highest goal-scorer for the season with six strikes. He also contributed three assists during his 1,723 minutes on the pitch and was selected to the USL-2 All-League team.

2007: Khumalo returned to South Africa, playing in the SAFA Vodacom League for Guateng-based side Alexandra United.

2006: The South African signed for USL-2 team the Wilmington Hammerheads, recording one goal and two assists in 1,205 minutes of play.

2005: Khumalo played for USL-1 team the Charleston Battery. During his time there he participated in 19 games (11 starts) and tallying one assist.

2001-2003: Khumalo played for PDL side the Michigan Bucks.
College Experience

2003-2004: Khumalo transferred to Coastal Carolina University after his sophomore season. During his senior year with the Chanticleers, Khumalo started in 20 of the 23 games he played and tallied 16 assists – third most in the nation – and eight goals. He also earned MVP honors at the Big South Tournament. During his junior year, he led the team to a program-best 20-3-0 record and a Big South title. His seven goals and ten assists earned him passage to the First Team All-Big South, the NSCAA/Adidas First Team All-South Atlantic Region and the Third Team All-America.

2001-2003: Khumalo played his first two collegiate years at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky. While there, he became the first freshman in NAIA history to win the National Player of the Year award after scoring 21 goals in 2001. He scored 26 goals his sophomore season and earned First Team NAIA All-American, All-Region and Mid-South Conference honors. During the off-season, Khumalo played two seasons in the Premier Development League with the Michigan Bucks.