Michael Kafari

Michael Kafari (born October 30, 1991) is a Ghanaian footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder.^[1]

Michael Kafari

Personal information
Date of birth	(1991-10-30) October 30, 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth	Accra, Ghana
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Defensive Midfielder
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2013	New Mexico Lobos	82	(3)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012	Austin Aztex	2	(0)
2014	Charleston Battery	0	(0)
2014	Sporting Kansas City	0	(0)
2016–2017	Puerto Rico FC	32	(0)
2018–2019	Motala
2019	ASC San Diego	3	(0)
2019	New York Cosmos	6	(0)
2020	Detroit City	8	(1)
2021	New Amsterdam	7	(0)
2021	Chicago House	14	(0)
2022	AC Syracuse Pulse	19	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 9 November 2023

Career

College and amateur

Kafari played college soccer at the University of New Mexico between 2010 and 2013.^[2]

While at college, Kafari appeared for Premier Development League side Austin Aztex in 2012.^{[3][better source needed]}

Professional

Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected Kafari in the third round (No. 51 overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.^[4] However, he wasn't signed by the club, instead joining USL Pro side Charleston Battery.^[5]

Kafari left Charleston without making a league appearance, but was later signed by Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City.^[6]

After two years away from the professional game, Kafari signed with North American Soccer League side Puerto Rico FC in July 2016.^[7] He was released at the end of the 2017 season.^[8]

On 22 April 2018, Kafari joined Swedish fourth-tier club Motala.^[9]

On 27 August 2019, he joined New York Cosmos.^[10]

In April 2021, Kafari joined National Independent Soccer Association side New Amsterdam FC ahead of the spring 2021 season.^[11] He went on to play in all three of New Amsterdam's matches during the NISA Legends Cup and appeared in seven of the team's eight regular season games.