Ike Opara

Career

College and amateur

Opara played college soccer at Wake Forest University from 2007 to 2009 where he appeared in 65 games scoring nine goals and adding three assists. He was a member of Wake Forest's 2007 NCAA College Cup Championship team. He was named ACC Defensive Player of the year in 2008 and 2009.

During his college years Opara also played two seasons for Cary Clarets in the USL Premier Development League.

Professional

San Jose Earthquakes

Opara was drafted in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by San Jose Earthquakes.

He made his professional debut on March 27, 2010, in San Jose's opening game of the 2010 MLS season against Real Salt Lake, and scored his first professional career goal – an away match winner – against Chicago Fire on April 10, 2010.

His time with the Earthquakes was plagued by repeated foot injuries.

Sporting Kansas City

Opara was traded to Sporting Kansas City from San Jose on December 12, 2012, for Kansas City's natural second-round selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.

Opara made his league debut for SKC on March 23, 2013, in a 0–0 away draw with the New England Revolution. He scored his first league goal for the club about four months after his debut, in a 2–1 away win over Real Salt Lake on July 20, 2013. His goal, scored in the 96th minute, won the match for Sporting. Although he was on the bench, Opara and SKC won the 2013 MLS Cup over Real Salt Lake on penalties. Opara logged 21 appearances and was named Sporting KC Newcomer of the Year for 2013.

Opara would go on to establish himself as a regular, solidifying one of the top defenses in MLS over the next few seasons, alongside his central back partner Matt Besler, converted right back Graham Zusi and left back Seth Sinovic. This group won the 2015 and 2017 U.S. Open Cups alongside their stellar keeper, Tim Melia. On November 10, 2017, Opara was awarded the MLS Defender of the Year Award and was selected to the MLS Best XI for his spectacular performances during the 2017 MLS season, joining his fellow SKC player, goalie Tim Melia, on the list.

Minnesota United FC

On January 28, 2019 Sporting KC traded Opara to Minnesota United FC for $900,000 of TAM and an additional $100,000 contingent upon Minnesota qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in its brief franchise history. He scored his first goal for Minnesota against the Seattle Sounders off a set piece in a 1–1 home draw on May 4, 2019. He was awarded the MLS Defender of the Year Award for 2019 On August 5, 2021, Minnesota opted to buyout Opara's contract.

National team

Opara was selected to the United States Men's National Team on January 8, 2018. After attending the January camp for the national team, he played the full 90 minutes in a friendly versus Bosnia and Herzegovina, his only cap to date.

Coaching

Sporting Kansas City II

After departing Minnesota United, Opara served as a scout for Nashville SC. Opara returned to Sporting Kansas City in January 2022, being named assistant coach for the club's MLS Next Pro side Sporting Kansas City II.

On 12 August 2025, Opara was named the interim head coach for Sporting Kansas City II.

Career statistics

Club

International

References

1. (October 6, 2009). "FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009™: List of Players: United States". FIFA.
2. The club was known as the [[Cary RailHawks U23's]] in 2008
3. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)".
4. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)".
5. [http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/events/superdraft/2010/draft_tracker.jsp 2010 MLS SuperDraft] {{webarchive. link. (January 19, 2010)
6. (April 10, 2010). "Rookie Opara Scores First MLS Goal".
7. (December 12, 2012). "Sporting Kansas City swap draft pick for defender Opara".
8. "New England Revolution vs. Sporting Kansas City – 23 March 2013 – Soccerway".
9. "Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting KC – 20 July 2013 – Soccerway".
10. (October 19, 2013). "Sporting KC announces 2013 team awards".
11. (November 9, 2017). "Sporting Kansas City's Ike Opara wins 2017 MLS Defender of the Year award". MLSSoccer.
12. (January 28, 2019). "Sporting Kansas City trades defender Ike Opara to Minnesota".
13. (May 5, 2019). "Ike Opara's head game breaks Loons' set-piece drought, draws blood again".
14. (October 17, 2019). "Minnesota United's Ike Opara wins 2019 MLS Defender of the Year".
15. "MNUFC Exercises Buyout on Ike Opara | Minnesota United FC".
16. (January 8, 2018). "Sporting KC defender Ike Opara selected to U.S. Men's National Team for January Camp". Sporting Kansas City.
17. Kovzan, Sam. (January 14, 2022). "Former MLS Cup champion and MLS Defender of the Year Ike Opara named Sporting KC II assistant coach".
18. City, Sporting Kansas. "Sporting KC II head coach Istvan Urbanyi no longer with the club {{!}} Sporting KC II".
19. {{Soccerway. ike-opara/97300
20. Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Ike Opara".
21. (November 30, 2017). "2017 MLS Best XI revealed: Who was the best in 2017?". MLS Soccer.
22. "MLS Fact and Record Book".
23. (November 9, 2017). "Sporting Kansas City's Ike Opara wins 2017 MLS Defender of the Year award". MLS Soccer.
24. (October 17, 2019). "Minnesota United's Ike Opara wins 2019 MLS Defender of the Year".