Young African Striker Danny Mwanga Excels in MLS

July 20, 2011

Philadelphia Union's Danny Mwanga ( #10) drives past Real Salt Lake's Ned Grabavoy in the second half of an MLS soccer match in Chester, Pennsylvania, June 11, 2011

Success for Danny Mwanga was expected when he was picked first overall in the 2010 MLS Draft. The then teenager from the Democratic Republic of Congo was the Union's first-ever draft pick and so far is making the team's scouting department look like savvy professionals.

As anticipated, the former Oregon State University All-American has carried his collegiate success to the professional level. Mwanga had seven goals last year in his first professional season and already has five in the 2011 campaign. After recording only one assist in his first seven appearances this season, the striker has had five goals and two assists in his last 10 matches. The hot streak has vaulted him among the league's leading scorers this season.

"I was just trying to do even better than I did last year," said Mwanga. "For a rookie [in] my first year, I think I did good, and a lot of people told me I did good. But at the same time, for me personally, I knew I could do better, and I know that I can still do a lot better than I am doing now. So just looking at the last year, I just wanted to improve on that year and do even better than I did last year. I think that was kind of like motivation for me coming into this season."