Kamara Joins Growing Group of Current and Former Players as Part of The SSUSA Movement to Change the Way Soccer is Played, Organized and Coached at The Community Level
Street Soccer USA Harnesses the Power of Soccer to Benefit all Children and Every Community
January 30, Los Angeles, CA — Street Soccer USA announced Colorado Rapids striker, Kei Kamara to its roster of professional athlete ambassadors lending their time and talent to Street Soccer USA’s mission of social justice through sports. Kei, who came to the United States as refugee from Sierra Leone has been an inspiration to Street Soccer USA many programs across the country serving refugee youth which includes, to name just a few Somalis in Minneapolis, Sierra Leoneans in Charlotte, Yemenese in San Francisco, and Liberians in Philadelphia, among many more. His ambassadorship brings his impact on our youth that much closer.
Kei Kamara’s achievement in Major League Soccer are well documented: Kamara has notched 135 goals and 41 assists in 390 career appearances. In 2018 he became the 10th player in MLS history to score 100 regular season goals. Prior accolades include being named MLS (joint) top scorer in 2015 with 22 goals scored. Kamara was top goalscorer in the 2015 MLS Playoffs with four goals, was named to the 2015 MLS Best XI in addition to being named MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year. Kamara is also the captain for the Sierra Leone senior squad having 27 international caps.
Fewer people know Kei’s backstory as a refugee. Kamara migrated to the United States from his place of birth— Kenema, Sierra Leone at age 16. Kei entered the country with his family through a refugee resettlement program in Hawthorne, California, later becoming an American Citizen.
“I’m passionate about joining Street Soccer and being part of this [mission] to introduce soccer—the greatest sport on the planet— to kids,” Kamara said. “Bringing all these kids together who otherwise wouldn’t be connected or be able to play. It’s something very special”
To date Street Soccer USA has helped over 15,000 youth and young adults further their growth and education through soccer based curriculums that empower them to overcome adversities, such as transitioning to a new country. Kamara also commented that he is “excited to #playformore with his MLS brothers, Kyle Martino, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey.”
Street Soccer USA’s full list of Athlete ambassadors includes Steve Nash, Hope Solo, Heather Mitts, Dax McCarty, Mia Hamm, and Chris Wondolowski.