Loons excited about Sierra Leone midfielder Momoh Kamara’s future
Amos Magee Minnesota United s head of enhancement was scouting prospects on Sierra Leone s Under- national organization last fall and first identified -year-old Alpha Kabia as a anticipated target for the Loons Then Magee s eyes were drawn on the screen to Kabia s teammate attacking midfielder Momoh Kamara and Magee eagerly contacted MNUFC Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad If only we could get this guy Magee recalled sharing with El-Ahmad El-Ahmad didn t think signing the -year-old Kamara out of the East Africa country would be practicable for MNUFC yet as the Kabia signing progressed this spring adding Kamara became more realistic In May MNUFC communicated the signing of Kamara on loan from Mattia FC in Sierra Leone through December the deal includes a purchase option for and beyond Kamara is at present with MNUFC the Loons developmental company but the -foot- playmaker has fleetly become a top prospect in the club s system and might play into United s international friendly against German club Holstein Kiel on Monday at Allianz Field I hope I have a chance to play Kamara now explained the Pioneer Press on Saturday Because if I have the chance I know I can do something different I believe myself I believe my quality Almost right away with MNUFC Kamara revealed his knack for scoring and creating goals In his second substitute appearance he scored in a - win over Colorado Rapids II on June He has played in three total matches at the MLS Next Pro level Remarkably good in tight spaces good creativity good imagination Magee explained of Kamara last week Certainly at the lower level you can organize your organization around this attacking prowess He won t be the finished product yet but it ll be I think very exciting for our fans Kamara s stock grew between Magee spotting him in the African Cup of Nations qualifying tournament in Liberia and him eventually joining MNUFC In March he played for Sierra Leone s senior national crew in World Cup qualifiers including against Egypt and Liverpool FC star Mo Salah Then in the Africa U Cup of Nations in May he scored a hat trick versus Egypt and had another goal against South Africa to be the tournament s leading scorer He had signed with MNUFC by the time he burst onto the scene at AFCON Momoh is different Sierra Leone coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara was quoted by cafonline com He has the heart of a lion and the feet of an artist He doesn t just play football he lives it He makes others better Karama s transition to the U S will be eased by his previous experience in Portugal with the reserve organization for Leixoes SC in - and with fellow countryman Kabia now a teammate in Minnesota Magee noted Kamara s maturity and willingness to put in work defensively on top of attacking Magee was integral in the Loons signing South African forward wingback Bongi Hlongwane in and he believes Africa can be a place for MNUFC to continue to go for up-and-coming prospects The enclave of East Africans in the Twin Cities he feels can help them adjust to the tradition shock of the U S That kind of synergy both of us El-Ahmad and Magee are utterly committed to based on our experience having traveled there and spent time in the way of life in the countries and have seen a level of soccer that I think we re both really excited about trying to make our club a destination spot for talented young African players Magee disclosed Kamara disclosed he is trying to focus on the present not his MLS debut or further stages in his career while Magee noted that Kamara s probable option price isn t considered prohibitive for MNUFC I think it s all very attainable we wouldn t have set it up if it wasn t Magee reported Our hope is that we exercise it but that s going to be up to him and up to us and how we work together Briefly The Loons new limited-edition alternative kit was leaked online Friday and the retro jersey is a distinct look akin to the s Minnesota Kicks bubbly font and color scheme of orange and light blue MNUFC will first wear the threads at an upcoming match and will also don it for a contest in St Paul when the club welcomes back former Minnesota players Loons center back Nico Romero was hit in the calf during the - win at FC Dallas on Friday and was subbed out in the th minute The injury will make him questionable for the U S Open Cup quarterfinal against Chicago on Tuesday Mexican club Tigres is reportedly making a million bid for MNUFC left wingback Joseph Rosales The athletic Honduran has been an increasing subject of transfer rumors Related Articles Loons ride set pieces again in a - win at FC Dallas U S goalie Matt Freese puts Costa Rica out in cold in Gold Cup thriller Joaquin Pereyra s great assist overshadowed as Loons cough up late lead Loons at New York Red Bulls Keys to the match storylines and a prediction A wild stretch leads to Loons first win in Seattle
