Thabiso Khumalo
Thabiso Khumalo (born 27 October 1980 in Soweto) is a former South African footballer.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thabiso Khumalo | ||
| Date of birth | 27 October 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Soweto, South Africa | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Right Midfielder/Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2002 | Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders | ||
| 2003–2004 | Coastal Carolina Chanticleers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001–2003 | Mid-Michigan Bucks | ||
| 2003–2004 | Chicago Fire Premier | 12 | (8) |
| 2005 | Chicago Fire | 0 | (0) |
| 2005 | Charleston Battery | 18 | (0) |
| 2006 | Wilmington Hammerheads | 20 | (1) |
| 2007–2008 | Alexandra United | 20 | (8) |
| 2008 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 20 | (6) |
| 2008 | → D.C. United (loan) | 7 | (1) |
| 2009–2010 | D.C. United | 20 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | Louisville Lightning (indoor) | 1 | (0) |
| 2011–2013 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 10 | (0) |
| 2013–2015 | Lansing United | 8 | (0) |
| 2015–2017 | AFC Ann Arbor | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 June 2011 | |||
Early life and education
As a boy, Khumalo played under Farouk Khan at the "Super Centre" at the Transnet School of Excellence, before moving to the United States at the age of 16, settling in Kentucky. Khumalo attended Bethlehem High School in Bardstown, Kentucky, played club soccer for the Nelson County Assassins, Javanon and Lexington Premier, and played college soccer for Lindsey Wilson College and Coastal Carolina University while studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. During his college years Khumalo also played in the USL Premier Development League for both Mid-Michigan Bucks and Chicago Fire Premier.
Professional career
Khumalo was drafted by Chicago Fire in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, but never played a game in MLS, and instead spent time with Charleston Battery in the USL First Division. He joined USL Second Division side Wilmington Hammerheads in 2006, and then returned to South Africa, where he played for the Vodacom League team Alexandra United for his former coach, Farouk Khan.
Khumalo returned to the United States in 2008, playing for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Second Division, where he was named to the USL-2 Team of the Year, played all 20 games, and registered six goals and three assists to finish tied for sixth in points in the league. He was also named in the Team of the Week on four occasions, and named Player of the Week once.
On 10 September 2008, Khumalo signed on loan with D.C. United.[1] He bagged his first goal for D.C. United during a 5-2 loss to Los Angeles Galaxy on 21 September 2008. Khumalo's success on loan led to United signing him on a permanent basis after the 2008 season ended. Khumalo was released by D.C. United on 27 July 2010.[2]
In November 2010, the Louisville Lightning from the Premier Arena Soccer League announced they had signed Khumalo to play in the 2010-11 season.[3]
On 14 March 2011, Khumalo signed a contract with Pittsburgh Riverhounds, now playing in the USL Pro league.[4]
On 16 November 2013, Khumalo signed with Lansing United, of the National Premier Soccer League.
Khumalo signed with AFC Ann Arbor of the National Premier Soccer League for the 2016 season as an assistant coach and player.
Personal life
Khumalo is involved with a non profit organisation called the Umhlaba Vision Foundation, which serves to find opportunities for youth through sport and education.
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 September 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Goff, Steve. "Soccer Insider - Boyzzz Khumalo released by D.C. United". Voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- "Louisville Lightning sign Yanez, Khumalo".
- "Khumalo Returns to Pittsburgh". 14 March 2011.