Matthew Mbuta

Matthew Mbuta

Personal information
Full name	Andongcho Mbuta
Date of birth	December 21, 1985 (1985-12-21) (age 24)
Place of birth	Yaoundé, Cameroon
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position	Attacking Midfielder/Forward
Club information
Current club	New York Red Bulls
Number	14
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2004–2006	PWD de Bamenda
2006	Brunei DPMM	8	(3)
2007–2008	Crystal Palace Baltimore	33	(7)
2008–	New York Red Bulls	12	(2)
2009	→ Richmond Kickers (loan)	1	(0)
2009	→ Crystal Palace Baltimore (loan)	3	(2)
National team‡
2007–2008	Cameroon U-23	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 October, 2009. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21 May, 2009

Andongcho "Matthew" Mbuta (born December 21, 1985 in Yaoundé) is a Cameroonian soccer player who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.

Career

Africa and Asia

Mbuta began his career with PWD de Bamenda of the Cameroon Première Division. In his first season with the club he striker scored 12 goals in 20 appearances, and emerged as the third best player of the championship. Thanks to his play, PWD qualified for the CAF Cup, where the club reached the quarterfinal stage, with Mbuta netting five goals in four continental matches.

In 2006 Mbuta signed with Brunei DPMM, which represented Brunei Darussalam in the Malaysian Super League. Mbuta was a pivotal player in the DPMM attack, playing either as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker. Following his impressive season in Malaysia, Mbuta had trial spells with West Ham United and Arsenal of the Premier League, but was not signed to a contract with either team ^[1].

United States

In 2007 Mbuta moved to the United States to play for Crystal Palace Baltimore in the USL Second Division. In his first season with Baltimore he was named in the USL-2 All-League First-Team for scoring 5 goals in 16 games and also recording 7 assists. In his second season with Baltimore he was named in the USL-2 All-League Second-Team. His play with Crystal Palace Baltimore, especially during the 2008 US Open Cup where Mbuta faced Major League Soccer opposition, helped generate interest among the United States top-flight clubs.

After a trial spell with Red Bull New York, Mbuta was acquired by the Major League Soccer club on September 15, 2008 and made his debut against Colorado Rapids on September 27, 2008, in which he managed to score a goal in the 5-4 loss. He was loaned to his old club Crystal Palace Baltimore in May, 2009. After his two goal weekend while on loan to Crystal Palace Baltimore, Mbuta was named the USL-2 Player of the Week^[2].

International

Mbuta earned his first cap with the national cadet team in 2005. He has also represented Cameroon at the Under-23 level.

Career Statistics

(correct as of 28 May 2009)

See also

• List of current MLS players

References

External links

• MLS player profile

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