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Sporting KC II Defender Mo Abualnadi Called up to Jordan U-23 West Asia Championship Roster

June 9, 2023 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Sporting Kansas City II News Release


Sporting Kansas City II defender and Academy product Mo Abualnadi has been called up to the Jordan U-23 National Team for the West Asia Championship in Baghdad, Iraq from June 12-20. Abualnadi has five starts and six appearances for SKC II this season after he developed in the Sporting KC Academy and enjoyed successful stints at Notre Dame and the University of Pittsburgh. The defender joined up with the Jordan U-23 Olympic National Team this past March for a training camp and pair of friendlies before rejoining Sporting KC II early in the season.

Jordan U-23 Group Stage Schedule: West Asia Championship

Monday, June 12 | vs. Iraq | 1:30 p.m. CT | Al-Madina Stadium

Wednesday, June 14 | vs. United Arab Emirates | 10:30 a.m. CT | Al-Madina Stadium

A native of Overland Park, Kansas, Abualnadi logged four USL Championship appearances for Sporting KC II on an amateur contract in the spring of 2019 before embarking on a four-year college career in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He spent two seasons each at Notre Dame and Pitt, amassing 59 total appearances (51 starts) in central defense tallying two goals and two assists.

Abualnadi joined the Sporting KC Academy in the summer of 2017 and played more than 40 matches between the U-17 and U-19 sides across two seasons. He also spent significant time with the Sporting KC first team during the 2019 preseason in Arizona.

The defender debuted for SKC II - then the Swope Park Rangers - with a 90-minute outing in a 2-2 draw against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in March 2019 at Children's Mercy Park, then earned his second of four starts that season by helping the team to a dramatic 3-2 home win over USL Championship powerhouse Louisville City SC on May 6.

After two standout seasons with the club, Abualnadi ventured to South Bend, Indiana, to begin his time at perennial title contender Notre Dame. He made an instant impact as a freshman, starting 15 of 19 appearances and helping the Irish to the NCAA Tournament. He played 16 more matches as a sophomore, helping the side to five shutout victories.

Abualnadi transferred to Pitt in 2021 and started 21 of 24 appearances across his final two collegiate seasons as a Panther. His junior campaign was highlighted by one goal, one assist and Pitt's run to the quarterfinals of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Notre Dame on penalty kicks. As a senior, Abualnadi was part of a Panthers team that upset previously unbeaten Kentucky in the Sweet 16 and progressed to the NCAA Men's College Cup, where they fell to Indiana in the national semifinals last December.

Abualnadi has gained more first-team exposure by training with Sporting during the club's 2023 preseason, presented by Children's Mercy. He has been a mainstay on head coach Benny Feilhaber's back four, starting five of six appearances, second most amongst center backs on the team. Following his time at the West Asia Championship Abualnadi will rejoin SKC II for their match against North Texas SC at Rock Chalk Park.

Sporting KC II will return to Rock Chalk Park on Thursday, June 15 to take on Tacoma Defiance in a Western Conference matchup. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. CT and tickets are on sale at SeatGeek.com. Fans can follow @SportingKCII on Twitter for live updates throughout the contest as well.

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