Joined MNUFC on January 28, 2019 through a trade with Sporting Kansas City

Hometown: Durham, North Carolina

MNUFC Debut: March 2, 2019 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC

First MNUFC Goal: May 4, 2019 vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Career Milestones

• Made 180th MLS regular season appearance on March 7 at San Jose Earthquakes.
• His second goal against the Quakes on March 7 was his 20th MLS goal.
• Crossed the 14,000-minute mark in the Loons 5-2 win over San Jose in Week 2.
• Made his 10th MLS Cup Playoffs appearance on October 20, 2019 against LA Galaxy.

Career Notes

• Opara has won all three major domestic trophies available to U.S-based MLS teams: the Supporters Shield (2012 with San Jose), MLS Cup (2013 with SKC), and the U.S. Open Cup (2017 with SKC).
• Won his second MLS Defender of the Year Award in 2019 with MNUFC. His is one of three players to ever win the award multiple times.
• He has had two multi-goal games in his MLS career, both with the Loons. His first came on June 29, 2019 with two goals in a 7-1 win over FC Cincinnati. He got his second brace this year against San Jose.
• Made 30 league appearances in 2019, the second-most in his MLS career.
• Has faced Real Salt Lake more than any opponent in his career, appearing 14 times in his career and totaling 975 minutes.
• Has a goal or assist in every month except August.
• Was drafted third overall by San Jose in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

International

Represented the U.S. at the youth level during the 2009 U20 World Cup and in 2012 Olympic Qualifying. He has one senior men’s national team appearance, playing the full 90 minutes in a scoreless draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina on January 28, 2018.