Danny Mwanga

The Union selected forward Danny Mwanga as a Generation adidas signee with the first overall selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, the first draft pick in club history. After starting the first-ever match in Union history in Seattle on March 25, Mwanga finished his first season with seven goals and four assists. Mwanga was a Rookie of the Year finalist. He followed up his rookie season with five goals and four assists in 2011.

Born in the Congo, Mwanga came to the Union with an impressive track record in the Pac-10 conference, winning PAC-10 Freshman of the Year in 2008 and Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2009. In only his second season with Oregon State University, Mwanga led his conference in multiple offensive categories including goals scored (14), combined goals and assists per game (1.67), goals per game (0.78) and game-winning goals (5).

Mwanga scored an astonishing 53 goals in 9 games at Jefferson High School in North Portland.

2011: Mwanga saw an increase in playing time in his second season and would likely have seen more if not for nagging injuries the second half of the season… Played a total of 28 regular season games, starting 13 and logging a total of 1,535 minutes... Scored five goals and assisted four times… Started both of Union’s postseason matches for 142 total minutes… Played in five Reserve League matches, scoring one goal and adding an assist. Part of the Generations Adidas tour that trained in Amsterdam.

2010: Drafted #1 overall in 2010 MLS SuperDraft out of Oregon State University ... Made professional debut on March 25, along with his first start, in team’s inaugural game at Seattle … Scored first career goal on May 15 against FC Dallas to tie the match in stoppage time … First career goal won MLS Goal of the Week for Week 8 ... Scored stoppage time goals in three straight matches between May 15 and June 5 (Dallas, Houston, Chicago) ... Scored a game-winner in stoppage time against Houston in a 3-2 win on May 29, the first road win in club history .. Finished rookie season with seven goals and four assists ... Was a Rookie of the Year finalist.

2009: Generation adidas signee … Earned NSCAA/Performance Subaru Second Team All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year honors, the first Oregon State player to do so … M.A.C. Herman Trophy Finalist … Led conference in multiple offensive categories including: goals scored (14), points per game (1.67), goals per game (0.78) and game-winning goals (5) … Finished second in points (30). 

2008: Named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year … Started 11 matches as a freshman … Scored four goals, including one game-winner … Took 23 shots.

CLUB: Played for Westside Metros International, helping it to two consecutive state titles … Played with Real Salt Lake U18 in World Youth Championships in Spain … Trained with Seattle Sounders during summer of 2009 … Was named to the All-Star adidas ESP team in 2007.