Guy-Roland Kpene (born November 23, 1983, in Abidjan) is an Ivorian footballer who currently plays as a forward for the Long Island Rough Riders.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Guy-Roland Kpene | ||
| Date of birth | November 23, 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Abidjan, Ivory Coast | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Long Island Rough Riders | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2000 | CSP Cocody | ||
| 2003 | Westchester Vikings | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2006 | Dowling Golden Lions | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006 | Brooklyn Knights | 9 | (6) |
| 2007–2008 | D.C. United | 15 | (0) |
| 2008 | Houston Dynamo | 0 | (0) |
| 2011 | Long Island Rough Riders | 3 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of June 4, 2011 | |||
Career edit
Youth and college edit
After playing in the youth team of local Ivorian side CSP Cocody, Kpene moved with his family to the United States in 2003 when his mother accepted the job as Ivory Coast's finance attache to the United Nations in New York.[1]
Kpene played one season of college soccer at Westchester Community College, earning all-region honors, before being recruited by Dowling College. He helped the Golden Lions to a 22-0-2 season and Dowling’s first National Title. Kpene was Dowling's leading scorer, the first Dowling men’s soccer player to be drafted by MLS, and only the fourth Golden Lion to be drafted in any sport.[2] In his final season, he totaled 25 goals (including seven game-winning goals) and 10 assists. He was named to the 2006 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division II Men's Collegiate All-American (second team) and earned ECAC Offensive Player of the Week and All-Conference honors.[3] He graduated with a degree in finance.
In 2005, Kpene started all 19 games for the Golden Lions and led the team with 33 points and 13 goals (5 game winning). He was second on the team with 7 assists. Kpene was named to the All-NYCAC First Team and the NSCAA/adidas All Northeast Region First Team.[4]
During his college years Kpene also played for the Brooklyn Knights in the USL Premier Development League, scoring 6 goals in 9 appearances in 2006.
Professional edit
Kpene was selected in the third round, 37th overall, by D.C. United in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft.[5] He made his first MLS start on May 6, 2007, against Chivas USA, and assisted on the first goal by Christian Gomez to give the team the lead.
After being releaded by D.C. United during preseason, Kpene signed with the Houston Dynamo on May 7, 2008, having practiced with the team from mid-April and played in the team's April 20 reserve game as a guest player.[6][7] He was released following the 2008 season.[8]
In 2009 Kpene went to Europe to pursue his career. He was with Bundesliga 2 side FSV Frankfurt, and with several teams in Belgium,
In 2011 Kpene, having returned to the United States, signed with the Long Island Rough Riders in the USL Premier Development League. He scored a goal for the Rough Riders on his debut on May 21, 2011, a 3–1 win over Jersey Express.[9]
Honors edit
D.C. United edit
- Major League Soccer Supporter's Shield (1): 2007
References edit
- ^ Goff, Steven (2007-02-14). "Kpene Takes a Roundabout Way to D.C." The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
- ^ "Kpehe Drafted by D.C. United". Retrieved 28 April 2007.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Men's Soccer – All Conference Selections 2006". Archived from the original on 7 January 2007. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
- ^ "Guy-Roland Kpene". Archived from the original on September 14, 2006. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
- ^ "2007 MLS Supplemental Draft". Archived from the original on 19 February 2007. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
- ^ Fallas, Bernardo; Chronicle, Copyright 2008 Houston (2008-05-07). "DYNAMO NOTES: Team signs ex-United forward Kpene". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Fallas, Bernardo (2008-04-18). "Dynamo notes: Forward Kpene gets tryout". www.chron.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
- ^ Fallas, Bernardo (December 23, 2008). "Soccer Notebook: Stadium issue headed for '09". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2011-05-27.
External links edit
- Dowling College Bio
- Feature on Kpene by Steven Goff, Washington Post
- Kpene on jersey numbers in Dan Steinberg's Washington Post Sports Bog