Nelson Akwari
Nelson Ndukwe Akwari

Date of Birth: February 4, 1982
Position: Defender
Height:  5'11''
Weight: 180 Lbs

National Team:

U-23:

• Made international debut for the U.S. U-23 National Team against Jamaica on July 29, 1999 at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Canada... Finished third, earning the Bronze medal at the '99 Pan Am Games... Recorded an assist against Jamaica.

U-20:

• Captain of the U-20 squad. Participated in the Toulon, France tournament. Played every minute during the Argentina 2001 U-20 World Championship for USA.
  Played every minute of the qualification tournament for the 2001 U-20 World Championship for the USA.

U-17:

• Co-captain of the U-17 squad.
  Played every minute during the New-Zealand 1999 U-17 World Championship for USA.
  One of only three players to play every minute during the USA's qualification tournament for the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship.

• Nelson scored his second international goal against El salvador on May 9. Both have come off corner-kicks and both were headers.
  

• Named Best Defensive player at the Salerno Tournament (Italy) in may 1998.
  

• Scored his first international goal in Salerno, Italy in the USA's 2-3 loss to Russia.
  

• Played in 24 international matches with U-17's in '98.
  

• Made the first international appearance as a member of the U-17 National Team against Mexico, on February 13, 1998.

U-16:

• Made the international debut with the USA Under-16 National Team against France on May 20, 1997.

High School:

• Selected as the 1999 NSCAA High School Athlete of the year.
  

• Selected to the 1999 NSCAA/Adidas Youth All-American Soccer Team.
  

• Named to the 1999 Parade Magazine High School All-American Team.
  

• Selected 1998 NSCAA Youth All-American.
  

• Won the Texas High School State championship in '98.
  

• Recipient of the 1998 Texas High School Player of the Year award.

Personal:

• 1999 Sport Illustrated/Old Spice October Athlete of the Month.
  

• Winner of the Texas State Championship for the five consecutive years with his club team the Houston Texans.
  

• Member of the National Honor Society.
  

• Received the Most Improved GPA award in sophomore year at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.
  

• Kicked the longest freshman field goal, 44 yards, on record at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.

VIDEOS

• Goals
• Best moments
• Games

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