Darlington Nagbe

Portland Timbers

2011 season

After signing a Generation Adidas contract to forgo his remaining year of college eligibility, Nagbe was selected by Portland Timbers in the first round (second overall) of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. After missing the first few weeks of the season due to hernia surgery, Nagbe made his professional debut on April 2, 2011, in a 1–1 draw against the New England Revolution. Nagbe scored his first goal in Major League Soccer with a volley, which was eventually named the 2011 MLS Goal of the Year, in a 2–1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on July 2, 2011.

2012 season

Nagbe would score the first brace of his career, coming against Real Salt Lake on March 12. Nagbe's next three goals would come in successive games, as he ended the 2012 season with six total goals. He struggled to find a true role in the direct attacking system deployed by the Timbers, but was mostly deployed as an attacking midfielder.

2013 season

On January 8, Nagbe was reunited with his coach at Akron, Caleb Porter, after Porter was officially hired by Portland. Nagbe finished the 2013 season with 11 goals scored across all competitions, playing mainly on the left wing. Highlights include four goals scored against FC Dallas across four matches, as well as a goal in the postseason—Portland's first postseason appearance—in the first leg of the quarter-finals against rivals Seattle Sounders FC. After the season, Nagbe was awarded with the individual…

Nagbe obtained American citizenship in September 2015, and shortly after, he was included in the U.S. National Team roster on November 6, 2015, for two 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago. Making his international debut on November 13, 2015, Nagbe entered the match as a substitute in the 64th minute. Nagbe scored his first goal for the U.S. National Team on May 25, 2016, in the 90th minute via a volley to secure a 1–0 victory in a friendly match against Ecuador. He was added to the squad for the knockout stage of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which the United States won. Nagbe started all three games in the knockout stage and was named to the tournament's Best XI. He also took part in the United States' unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign, starting seven of 10 matches in the hexagonal as the United States did not qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1986. Nagbe has since declined any further call-ups, citing wanting to spend more time with his family.

Deployed as either a winger or an attacking midfielder at Akron and early in his pro career in Portland, Nagbe moved to a "withdrawn, box-to-box role" in the middle of the 2015 season and then further settled into a deeper role later in his career. A calming influence in the midfield, Nagbe was described as a "facilitator" and an "orchestrator" due to his composure, tempo-setting, and skill in maintaining possession under pressure. His ability to create and draw fouls while under pressure made him the most fouled player in Major League Soccer history. He was frequently praised as being a player with superb technical ability and high soccer IQ, with former coach Frank de Boer describing him as "the cement between the bricks." Thanks to his deft first touch, ability to glide past defenders, and fluid comfort on the ball, he was able to help his team transition from defense to attack in the blink of an eye. Nagbe was also an intricate and precise passer, and was adept at working in tight spaces. Additionally, he possessed the capability to score the occasional goal of the season. Nagbe commented on his style of play: "I feel like as a player, the more I get on the ball, the more comfortable I get and the easier it is to make plays."

Nagbe is the son of Somah Nagbe and Joe Nagbe, the former captain of the Liberian national team. He has two younger sisters, Martha and Seta, and one older brother, Joe Jr. In 2012, he married Felicia Houtz, and the couple have a daughter named Mila and sons Kingston and Isaiah. Nagbe received his U.S. green card in 2012, thus making him a domestic player for MLS roster purposes, and became a United States citizen in September 2015. He has stated that his sporting idol is Thierry Henry.