Saad Abdul-Salaam
Saad Abdul-Salaam | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 8, 1991 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Soccer player (retired), Academy coach |
| Years active | 2015–2022 (player) |
| Known for | Professional soccer defender in MLS and USL; academy coach with Columbus Crew |
Saad Abdul-Salaam (born September 8, 1991) is a retired American professional soccer athlete who operated primarily as a defender. He is presently engaged as an academy coach with the Columbus Crew organization.
Early career
Originally from Charlotte, Abdul-Salaam was raised in Gahanna, Ohio and competed for his high school team, which secured the state championship title in 2009. He continued his development at the University of Akron, representing the Akron Zips throughout his collegiate career.
Sporting Kansas City
Following four years at Akron, Abdul-Salaam was chosen twelfth overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City. On May 19, 2015, Sporting Kansas City recalled him from a loan period with the San Antonio Scorpions.
San Antonio Scorpions (loan)
Abdul-Salaam joined the San Antonio Scorpions on loan for the NASL spring segment on April 1, 2015. He made his professional debut on April 4 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, starting and completing the full game in a 3–1 defeat.
Returning to Kansas City
After being recalled on May 20, 2015, he debuted in MLS as a late-game substitute. That season, he accumulated 22 appearances with 10 starts and contributed one assist. During the playoffs, he missed a decisive penalty in a shootout versus the Portland Timbers. In 2016, Abdul-Salaam featured in 30 matches and recorded six assists, leading Sporting KC in assists that year. His first professional goal came on June 21, 2017, during a 3–0 victory over Minnesota United.
New York City
On December 14, 2017, Abdul-Salaam was traded to New York City FC in exchange for Khiry Shelton. Subsequently, on August 13, 2018, he was loaned out to Phoenix Rising FC.
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC acquired Abdul-Salaam’s rights on February 26, 2019, in return for $50,000 in Targeted Allocation Money. He was released following the conclusion of the 2019 season.
FC Cincinnati
During Stage Two of the 2019 MLS Re-Entry Process on December 3, 2019, Abdul-Salaam was selected by FC Cincinnati.
Columbus Crew
After being waived by Cincinnati due to their acquisition of Edgar Castillo, Abdul-Salaam was claimed off waivers by Columbus Crew on April 17, 2021. Columbus opted not to renew his contract after the end of the 2021 campaign.
San Antonio FC
On June 22, 2022, Abdul-Salaam signed with San Antonio FC for the remainder of the 2022 season.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Domestic Cup | International[lower-alpha 1] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sporting Kansas City | 2015 | MLS | 22 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 34 | 0 | ||
| 2017 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 16 | 1 | |||
| Total | 64 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 78 | 1 | ||
| San Antonio Scorpions (loan) | 2015 | NASL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| New York City | 2018 | MLS | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Phoenix Rising (loan) | 2018 | USL | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 0 | ||
| Seattle Sounders FC | 2019 | MLS | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| Tacoma Defiance (loan) | 2019 | USL | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||
| FC Cincinnati | 2020 | MLS | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | 8 | 0 | |||
| Columbus Crew | 2021 | 18 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 19 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 115 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 132 | 1 | ||
Achievements
Seattle Sounders FC
- MLS Cup Champion: 2019
Columbus Crew
- Campeones Cup Winner: 2021
San Antonio FC
- USL Championship Regular Season Title: 2022
- USL Championship Finalist: 2022
External links
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- 1991 births
- Living people
- Akron Zips men's soccer players
- Capital FC players
- Sporting Kansas City players
- San Antonio Scorpions players
- New York City FC players
- Phoenix Rising FC players
- Seattle Sounders FC players
- Tacoma Defiance players
- FC Cincinnati players
- Columbus Crew players
- San Antonio FC players
- Men's association football defenders
- Sporting Kansas City draft picks
- USL League Two players
- Major League Soccer players
- North American Soccer League (2011–2017) players
- American men's soccer players
- Soccer players from Ohio
- USL Championship players
- 21st-century American sportsmen