Stephen Okai

Stephen Okai
Okai on Riverhounds debut
Personal information
Date of birth (1989-09-27) 27 September 1989 (age 34)
Place of birth Accra, Ghana
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2012 Mobile Rams
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010 Des Moines Menace 15 (2)
2011–2012 Reading United 28 (5)
2013 Charlotte Eagles 27 (4)
2014 Orange County Blues 26 (2)
2015–2017 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 69 (1)
Managerial career
2018– Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of March 14, 2021

Stephen Okai (born 27 September 1989) is a former Ghanaian footballer and current coach.

Career

College & Amateur

Okai played four years of college soccer at the University of Mobile. Okai won the National Player of the Year award in NAIA and was a three-time All-American.[1]

During his time at college, Okai also played for USL PDL club Des Moines Menace in 2010, and Reading United A.C. in 2011 and 2012.

Professional career

On January 17, 2013, Okai was selected 31st overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by Philadelphia Union.[2] He trialed with the club, but was released by Philadelphia on February 22, 2013.[3]

Okai signed with USL Pro club Charlotte Eagles in April 2013. He made his pro debut on April 13, 2013, in a 2–0 victory over Antigua Barracuda FC.[4]

Okai signed with USL Pro side Pittsburgh Riverhounds in January 2015.[5] On November 30, 2017, the club announced that Okai's contract had expired.[6] He departed Pittsburgh after three seasons with the Riverhounds and retired.[7]

Coaching career

On 18 May 2018, Okai joined the coaching staff for the Riverhounds Development Academy.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Stephen Okai". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  2. ^ https://www.umobile.edu/Athletics/AthleticNews/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1482/Stephen-Okai-Drafted-31st-In-2013-MLS-SuperDraft.aspx#.UWrIyrVwquI
  3. ^ "Let the cuts begin". 22 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2013-04-14.{cite web}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2015-01-23. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
  6. ^ "HOUNDS ANNOUNCE INITIAL OFFSEASON ROSTER PLANS". Riverhounds.com. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  7. ^ "Fort Pitt wins opener; Okai takes RDA coaching post, Steel City FC begins & more". PittsburghSoccerNow.com. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  8. ^ "Stephen Okai joins Academy Staff for 2018-19". Riverhounds.com. Retrieved 11 December 2017.