Andre Akpan

Youth and college

Akpan was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, to a Nigerian father and an American mother. He played for coaches Hassan Nazari and David Hudgell on the '88 Dallas Texans, and his prolific scoring touch helped lead his team to back-to-back-to-back USYSA National Championships (U17, U18, U19), as well as a Dallas Cup Super Group Victory - a feat that no other American team has accomplished in the last 25 years. He played high school soccer at The Oakridge School in Arlington, Texas, where he was the all-time leading scorer with 111 goals over four years. He also attained the single-season scoring record with 37 goals.

In 2006, Akpan entered Harvard University where he played on the men's soccer team, and was also a member of The Phoenix – S K Club. He was the 2006 Ivy League rookie of the year and first team All Ivy League. In 2007, he was a second team NSCAA All American. While at Harvard he also made appearances for USL Premier Development League clubs Westchester Flames and Chicago Fire Premier, helping the latter to the 2009 USL PDL championship game, and scoring in the final.

Professional

Akpan was drafted in the second round (22nd overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by Colorado Rapids. He made his professional debut on April 13, 2010, in a US Open Cup game against the Kansas City Wizards. His first MLS goal was scored on April 30, 2011, against the Chicago Fire equalizing just after halftime.

Akpan made a short-term loan switch to USL…