Michael Lahoud

Club career

College

Born in Freetown, Lahoud moved from his country to Annandale, Virginia in the United States when he was six years old. He attended Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia, and played college soccer at Wake Forest University, playing a total of 95 games. As a freshman forward in 2005, Lahoud was tied for second on the team with seven goals which landed him on the 2005 All ACC Freshman Team as well. He finished with 14 goals and 20 assists in four seasons. He helped win the NCAA National Championship in 2007, and final four appearances in 2006 and 2008. In 2008, he was named to the All-ACC Second Team. Lahoud is ranked in a tie for second in career games played at Wake Forest with 95 and fourth in career games started with 89.

During his college years Lahoud also played with Carolina Dynamo in the USL Premier Development League.

Professional

Lahoud was drafted in the first round (9th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA. He made his professional debut on 21 March 2009, in Chivas's first game of the 2009 MLS season against Colorado Rapids. He played in 16 games (nine starts) with one goal and one assist. His first MLS goal was on Oct. 25, 2009 vs Houston in the 59th minute. Scored his first goal as a profession in the SuperLiga match on June 20, 2009, against Tigres UANL. On September 14, 2010, Chivas USA beat CD Guadalajara and won the ChivaClásico Trophy following a penalty kick shootout after both sides ended scoreless in regulation. Michael Lahoud buried the final penalty to give the American Red-and-Whites a 4–2 victory. He was awarded the MVP Trophy.

On May 17, 2012, Lahoud was traded to the Philadelphia Union in exchange for Danny Califf.

On January 12, 2016, Lahoud joined NASL side New York Cosmos on a season-long loan. Lahoud's loan was cut short on May 24, 2016, when he was sold to NASL side Miami FC for a reported $300,000.

Lahoud joined United Soccer League side FC Cincinnati on April 18, 2018.

International career

Lahoud received his first international call for Sierra Leone in late August 2013 for their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Equatorial Guinea despite not having been to Sierra Leone since 1993. Lahoud made his international debut in the match, a 3–2 victory for Sierra Leone, after being substituted in for the final 15 minutes of the match.

Managerial career

In January 2021, Lahoud joined the coaching staff of Trinity University in San Antonio.

Personal life

Lahoud also holds American citizenship.

Volunteer work

Lahoud was the August recipient of MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Month honor in 2010 for his efforts with HIV prevention through The Wall Memorias Project. He threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies game at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2010. Alongside former Chivas USA teammate Justin Braun he volunteers and mentors the Compton United Soccer Club.

In March 2011, Lahoud created a charity event "Schools for Salone" that helps schools in Sierra Leone.

In July 2011, Lahoud posed for the NOH8 campaign, which raises awareness for gay rights.

In December 2015, Lahoud and national teammate and fellow-MLS player Kei Kamara were the co-recipients of the 2015 FIFPro Merit Award for their efforts in creating a school for children displaced by civil war in their native Sierra Leone.

Honours

Wake Forest University

• Washington Post All Met Player of the Year: 2005
• All-ACC Freshman Team: 2005
• ACC Player of the Week: 2007
• NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship (1): 2007

Individual

• FIFPro Merit Award:2015

References

References

1. "Paramount Press Express {{!}} CBS Sports {{!}} Talent/Production".
2. (October 2022). "Austin FC bids adieu to local broadcast team". Capital City Soccer.
3. (24 May 2016). "MIAMI FC ADDS SIERRA LEONE INTERNATIONAL MICHAEL LAHOUD".
4. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-cZBSh7KKo Mike Lahoud 2009 MLS SuperDraft], August 12, 2010
5. "Archived copy".
6. "Major League Soccer: Match Tracker: Main".
7. "Michael Lahoud | Chivas USA".
8. (17 May 2012). "Danny Califf Trade: Union Captain Traded To Chivas USA For Michael Lahoud, Allocation Money". sbnation.com.
9. "Sierra Leonean International Michael Lahoud Joins New York On Loan".
10. (24 May 2016). "Union Transfer Michael Lahoud to Miami FC".
11. USLSoccer.com Staff. (2018-04-18). "FCC Signs Experienced Midfielder Lahoud". United Soccer League.
12. De George, Matthew. (12 September 2013). "Debut with Sierra Leone an emotional experience for Lahoud". Delco Times.
13. [http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2013/08/29/sports/doc521ff0afbdd0f762795765.txt Union's Michael Lahoud called up to Sierra Leone national team] August 29, 2013
14. (10 February 2021). "From SAFC to Trinity: Former pro player Michael Lahoud joins men's soccer team as assistant coach". Trinitonian.
15. "Soccer Insider - Chivas USA's Michael Lahoud weighs Sierra Leone option after being overlooked for U.S. training camp".
16. Martin Rogers, USA TODAY Sports. (8 November 2014). "MLS players feel helpless watching homeland fight Ebola". USA TODAY.
17. http://wwwTheSoccerHooligan.com {{dead link. (November 2017)
18. [http://www.blnz.com/news/2011/07/11/Justin_Braun_Michael_Lahoud_Pose_aaa4.html Justin Braun, Michael Lahoud Pose For NOH8] retrieved 10 February 2012
19. [http://redcardhomophobia.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/dc-united-stand-united-in-their-support-of-lgbt-teens/ DC United Stand United In Their Support of LGBT Teens] retrieved 10 February 2012
20. "Columbus Crew SC's Kei Kamara and Philadelphia Union's Michael Lahoud earn 2015 FIFPro Merit Award". Major League Soccer.
21. "2005 High School All-Met".