Darlington Nagbe

Darlington Joephillip Nagbe (born July 19, 1990) is an American soccer player who plays for Columbus Crew SC in Major League Soccer and the United States men's national soccer team as a midfielder. Nagbe spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Portland Timbers, winning the MLS Cup with the club in 2015, before being acquired by Atlanta United following the 2017 season.

Darlington Nagbe
Nagbe lining up for the Portland Timbers in 2015
Personal information
Full name Darlington Joephillip Nagbe[1]
Date of birth (1990-07-19) July 19, 1990
Place of birth Monrovia, Liberia
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Central Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Columbus Crew SC
Number 6
Youth career
2000–2007 Internationals SC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Akron Zips 73 (19)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Cleveland Internationals 18 (7)
2011–2017 Portland Timbers 214 (27)
2018–2019 Atlanta United 56 (2)
2020– Columbus Crew SC 15 (1)
National team‡
2015–2018 United States 25 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 8, 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of March 27, 2018

Early years

Nagbe was born in Liberia and left the country as a five-month-old when his mother fled the country due to the First Liberian Civil War, taking him and his brother with her.[2] They then joined her husband Joe Nagbe, a professional soccer player, and his career took the family to France, Greece and Switzerland before they eventually settled in the Cleveland area in 2001 when Darlington was 11 years old.[3]

Nagbe grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, where he attended Lakewood High School and then St. Edward High School, scoring 18 goals and adding 10 assists as a senior. He was a member of the Region II ODP team, was a 2007 adidas ESP All-Star and was member of the Ohio North ODP team, as well as winning four Ohio North state club titles with the Cleveland Internationals. Nagbe also participated in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy with the Internationals.

College and amateur career

Nagbe played college soccer at the University of Akron, scoring 19 goals and contributing 19 assists in 73 matches during three collegiate seasons. He was a Soccer America All-Freshman first team honoree, and was named the All-MAC Newcomer of the Year in as a freshman in 2008. As a sophomore in 2009 Nagbe was named to the NSCAA All-America Second Team, the Soccer America MVP Second Team, the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season Second Team, the All-Great Lakes Region First Team and the All-Mid-American Conference First Team. In 2010 Nagbe helped the Akron Zips to their first ever national championship, a 1–0 regulation win in the College Cup Final against Louisville; he was subsequently named to the NSCAA All-America First Team, the All-MAC First Team, the College Cup All-Tournament Team, and was honored with the MAC Hermann Trophy as the 2010 College Soccer Player of the Year.[4]

During his college years Nagbe also played four seasons with the Cleveland Internationals in the USL Premier Development League, scoring 7 goals in 18 league appearances.[5][6][7][8]

Club career

Portland Timbers

Nagbe was selected by Portland Timbers in the first round (second overall) of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.[9][10] After missing the first couple of weeks of the season due to injury, Nagbe made his professional debut on April 2, 2011 in a 1–1 draw with New England Revolution.[11] Nagbe scored his first goal with a volley, which was eventually named the 2011 MLS goal of the year, in a 2–1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on July 2, 2011.[12][13]

On January 8, 2013, Nagbe was reunited with his coach at Akron, Caleb Porter, after Porter was officially hired by Portland.[14] Nagbe finished the 2013 season with 9 goals, the highest total in his time with Portland. He also scored once in the postseason, the first postseason appearance in Portland's history, in the first leg of the knockout round against rivals Seattle Sounders. After the season, Nagbe was awarded with the individual Fair Play Award, after committing only eight fouls and receiving one yellow card in 2,848 minutes of regular season play.[15] Nagbe was a part of Portland's MLS Cup winning campaign in 2015, starting all but one game in the season. He received the Fair Play Award for the second time in his career, committing only 11 fouls, and not receiving any bookings, which he also accomplished in 2014.[16]

Nagbe was injured after a hard tackle on April 11, 2016, during a MLS soccer game between the LA Galaxy and the Portland Timbers. Nigel de Jong, LA Galaxy midfielder and Netherlands international player rolled over the ball straight toward Nagbe's ankle. Nagbe was stretchered off the field by medics and left the stadium in a wheelchair. However, the injury turned out to be a sprained ankle and he missed just two matches before returning to action. De Jong, who received a yellow card for the tackle during the match, was later suspended for three matches.[17][18][19]

In July 2016, he was included in the roster for the 2016 MLS All-Star Game, making the squad for the first time in his career.[20] After the season, Nagbe was close to making a £3 million move to Scottish side Celtic, but the deal fell through, and Nagbe remained with Portland for the 2017 season.[21][22]

Atlanta United
Darlington Nagbe playing for Atlanta United on June 2, 2018

On December 13, 2017, Atlanta United finalized a trade to acquire Nagbe in exchange for $1.05 million in allocation money, with another $600,000 in incentive-based allocation money going the other way.[23] He joined a prolific Atlanta attack which scored the second-most goals in 2017 under manager Gerardo Martino. Darlington Nagbe had a guaranteed compensation of $620,000 for the 2018 MLS Season [24]

Columbus Crew

On November 13, 2019, Columbus Crew SC finalized a trade to acquire Nagbe in exchange for $700,000 in Targeted Allocation Money, $150,000 in General Allocation Money in 2020, as well as $200,000 in Target Allocation Money for the 2021 MLS season and an international roster spot.[25] Nagbe was reunited again with his mentor at Akron, Caleb Porter. On August 20, 2020, Nagbe scored his first goal for Columbus in a 3-0 win against Chicago Fire. This goal would be named the 2020 MLS goal of the year, Nagbe's second time winning the award after doing so in 2011 as well. [26] After leading the Crew through the regular season and playoffs, he missed the MLS Cup Final with coronavirus.[27] Columbus went on to win that game, giving Nagbe his third MLS Cup.[28]

International career

On November 6, 2015, Nagbe was named to the U.S. National Team roster[29] for a pair of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago. Nagbe made his international debut on November 13, 2015, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute.[30]

Nagbe scored his first goal for the U.S. National Team on May 25, 2016 in the 90th minute to secure a 1–0 victory in a friendly match against Ecuador.[31] He was added to the squad for the knockout stage of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which the United States won. Nagbe started all three games in the knockout stage and was named to the tournament's Best XI.[32] He also took part in the United States' unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign, starting 7 of 10 matches in the Hexagonal as the United States did not qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1986.

Personal life

Nagbe is the son of Somah Nagbe and Joe Nagbe, the former captain of the Liberian national team. He has two younger sisters, Martha and Seta, and one older brother, Joe Jr. In 2012, he married Felicia Houtz and the couple have a daughter named Mila and a son named Kingston.[33]

Nagbe received his U.S. green card in 2012, thus making him a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[2][34] Nagbe became a U.S. citizen in September 2015.[35]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played on November 8, 2020[36]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Portland Timbers2011Major League Soccer 2820000—282
2012 3361000—346
2013 3494141—4211
2014 321110020352
2015 3351060—405
2016 271100031312
2017 2730020—293
Total 21427821215123931
Atlanta United2018Major League Soccer 2300050—280
2019 332503050462
Total 562508050742
Columbus Crew 2020 Major League Soccer 15 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 1
Total 15 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 1
Career totals 2853013220110132834

International
As of March 27, 2018.
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States
201520
201681
2017140
201810
Total251

International goals
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 May 25, 2016Toyota Stadium, Frisco, United States Ecuador1–01–0Friendly

Honors

Club

Akron Zips

Portland Timbers

Atlanta United

Columbus Crew

International

United States

Individual

References
  1. "40-Player National Team Roster: 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup: United States" (PDF). CONCACAF. p. 16. Retrieved May 21, 2019 – via Bernews.
  2. Dan Itel (April 18, 2014). "Darlington Nagbe says he's open to USMNT and long-term stay with Portland Timbers". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  3. Paul Tople / Akron Beacon Journal (December 10, 2010). "St. Edward grad Darlington Nagbe will pass as he leads Akron men's soccer team into national semis". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  4. "Darlington Nagbe wins Hermann Trophy". ESPN. January 8, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  5. "2007 Cleveland Internationals stats". Uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  6. "2008 Cleveland Internationals stats". Uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  7. "2009 Cleveland Internationals stats". Uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  8. "2010 Cleveland Internationals stats". Uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  9. "2011 MLS SuperDraft Tracker". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  10. Fidencio Enriquez (January 13, 2011). "Nagbe ready to prove himself in Portland". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  11. "Timbers tie Revs to earn first ever MLS point". Archived from the original on April 5, 2011.
  12. "2011". Portland Timbers. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  13. "Timbers' Nagbe wins goal of the year | kgw.com Portland". Kgw.com. November 17, 2011. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  14. "Caleb Porter officially hired as Portland Timbers head coach". WOIO.
  15. "Portland Timbers' Darlington Nagbe wins 2013 Xbox Individual Fair Play Award, LA Galaxy win team award". MLS Soccer. November 25, 2013.
  16. "Portland Timbers' Darlington Nagbe, Philadelphia Union win 2015 MLS Fair Play Awards". MLS Soccer. November 6, 2015.
  17. Marsden, Rory. "Nigel De Jong Makes X-Rated Tackle on Darlington Nagbe During Galaxy vs. Timbers". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  18. Carlisle, Jeff (April 12, 2016). "Darlington Nagbe has ankle sprain, no fracture after Nigel De Jong tackle". ESPN FC. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  19. Blue, Molly (April 30, 2016). "Darlington Nagbe talks about his injury, his return and preparing for Toronto FC". The Oregonian. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  20. "Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal". FourFourTwo. July 17, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  21. Online, Record Sport (December 27, 2016). "Celtic move for Darlington Nagbe falls apart as Timbers pull plug on the deal". dailyrecord.
  22. Stephenson, Colin (January 19, 2017). "Timbers boss Caleb Porter pledges to put Darlington Nagbe in his best spot". MLS Soccer.
  23. Quillen, Ian (December 13, 2017). "Atlanta United make record-breaking move for midfielder Darlington Nagbe". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  24. "MLS Players Salary Guide". MLS Players Association.
  25. "Columbus Crew SC acquires Darlington Nagbe in trade with Atlanta United". November 13, 2019.
  26. "Columbus Crew SC's Darlington Nagbe wins 2020 AT&T Goal of the Year". November 20, 2020.
  27. https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/12/11/columbus-crew-darlington-nagbe-pedro-santos-out-mls-cup
  28. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/12/12/columbus-crew-sc-are-2020-mls-cup-champions-second-title-club-history
  29. "Klinsmann Calls 23 Players for First Two Matches of 2018 World Cup Qualifying Campaign". US Soccer.com. US Soccer. Archived from the original on November 8, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  30. "MNT Opens 2018 World Cup Qualifying with 6–1 win Against St. Vincent in St. Louis". US Soccer.com. US Soccer. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  31. "USA DEFEATS ECUADOR IN COPA WARM-UP THANKS TO NAGBE WINNER". US Soccer.com. US Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  32. "TSG reveals Gold Cup Best XI". Gold Cup. June 21, 2017.
  33. "ExtraTime Radio". Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  34. "24 Under 24: The making of Timbers star Darlington Nagbe". MLSsoccer.com. September 13, 2012.
  35. "Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson announces Darlington Nagbe is officially a US citizen". MLSsoccer.com. September 11, 2015.
  36. Darlington Nagbe at Soccerway. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  37. McCauley, Kim (December 6, 2015). "Goals, screw-ups, stats and more: Everything great from the MLS Cup Final". SBNation.com.
  38. "Portland Timbers become first Cascadia club to reach the MLS Cup: "We want to win the big one" | MLSsoccer.com". November 30, 2015.
  39. "Timbers' Darlington Nagbe wins AT&T Goal of the Year". MLSSoccer.com. November 16, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  40. "Columbus Crew SC's Darlington Nagbe wins 2020 AT&T Goal of the Year". MLSSoccer.com. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  41. "TSG reveals Gold Cup Best XI". goldcup.org.
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