Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Rutgers on August 29, 2025 , Loss , 1, to, 4
MSOC
Final
James Madison
1
vs Rutgers
4
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Sapong Leads Soccer Dukes in the Pros
8/3/2016 12:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
HARRISONBURG, Va. - C.J. Sapong (2007-10) is carrying on a legacy of Dukes in professional soccer by excelling with the Philadelphia Union. Through 19 games played, he is the third-leading scorer on the Union with six goals and two assists.
On July 17, the Manassas, Va., native buried a penalty kick to help lead Philadelphia to a 2-2 draw after trailing New York Red Bulls 2-0 at halftime. Earlier in the season, Sapong led the Union to a 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution by scoring twice in the first half. Both goals came as a result of finding space in the box to be a target for crosses, the mark of a good central attacker.
The first strike started with Sapong taking a touch to corral a cross between two New England defenders. That set him up for a left-footed shot from a sharp angle that found its way past Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth. On the second goal, Sapong delayed his run into the box to separate himself from the defense, then calmly slotted a first-time finish into the net after a cross from the left flank.
Sapong is following up a resurgent 2015, where his first season in Philadelphia saw him lead the team with nine goals and four assists. He also tied a franchise record by scoring a goal in four consecutive games from June 3 to June 24. The Union traded for Sapong in December of 2014, sending Sporting Kansas City the 10th overall pick in the 2015 Major League Soccer Superdraft.
The 2010 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year made an immediate impact when he was selected 10th overall by Sporting Kansas City in the 2011 Superdraft. Sapong became the fastest rookie to score a goal in their MLS debut, netting a goal one minute and 43 seconds into a 3-2 win over Chivas USA.
Sapong played in all 34 regular season games for SKC, the only player on the roster to do so. His five goals and five assists earned him the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year crown. Two years later he played a role in SKC's MLS Cup run, appearing in all five playoff games. He scored the game-tying goal in the Eastern Conference Championship against the Houston Dynamo and converted his penalty in the title game shootout.
After a hot start to his career that saw him score 14 goals in two seasons, Sapong's playing time and production cooled off. In 2013 and 2014, he scored just six goals in 23 games, falling behind forward Dom Dwyer on the depth chart. The trade to Philadelphia has once again given Sapong the chance to shine as a target man in the box.
Sapong is not the only former JMU player currently plying his trade professionally. Francisco Narbon (2014), a member of the 2014 CAA Championship team, made his debut for FC Cincinnati July 20 against New York Red Bulls II. The defensive midfielder has now made three substitute appearances for a total of 72 minutes. Cincinnati plays in the United Soccer League, the third tier of American soccer, and averages an attendance of over 17,000.
Two more former Dukes are playing professionally in Iceland. Midfielder Jonathan Barden (2011-14) is in his second season with Vestmannaeyjar, who play in the first division. He has 10 appearances in the 2016 season. Defender Bjarki Adalsteinsson (2012-15) has made five appearances for Thor Akureyri, a second division side.
The Dukes open up the 2016 season by hosting the Fairfield Inn by Marriott JMU Invitational. JMU plays Lehigh Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and N.C. State Aug. 28 at 4:30 p.m. Madison will face five teams this fall that made the NCAA tournament in 2015, four of them at home. The challenging schedule is highlighted by a home match against Virginia Monday Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
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On July 17, the Manassas, Va., native buried a penalty kick to help lead Philadelphia to a 2-2 draw after trailing New York Red Bulls 2-0 at halftime. Earlier in the season, Sapong led the Union to a 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution by scoring twice in the first half. Both goals came as a result of finding space in the box to be a target for crosses, the mark of a good central attacker.
The first strike started with Sapong taking a touch to corral a cross between two New England defenders. That set him up for a left-footed shot from a sharp angle that found its way past Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth. On the second goal, Sapong delayed his run into the box to separate himself from the defense, then calmly slotted a first-time finish into the net after a cross from the left flank.
Sapong is following up a resurgent 2015, where his first season in Philadelphia saw him lead the team with nine goals and four assists. He also tied a franchise record by scoring a goal in four consecutive games from June 3 to June 24. The Union traded for Sapong in December of 2014, sending Sporting Kansas City the 10th overall pick in the 2015 Major League Soccer Superdraft.
The 2010 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year made an immediate impact when he was selected 10th overall by Sporting Kansas City in the 2011 Superdraft. Sapong became the fastest rookie to score a goal in their MLS debut, netting a goal one minute and 43 seconds into a 3-2 win over Chivas USA.
Sapong played in all 34 regular season games for SKC, the only player on the roster to do so. His five goals and five assists earned him the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year crown. Two years later he played a role in SKC's MLS Cup run, appearing in all five playoff games. He scored the game-tying goal in the Eastern Conference Championship against the Houston Dynamo and converted his penalty in the title game shootout.
After a hot start to his career that saw him score 14 goals in two seasons, Sapong's playing time and production cooled off. In 2013 and 2014, he scored just six goals in 23 games, falling behind forward Dom Dwyer on the depth chart. The trade to Philadelphia has once again given Sapong the chance to shine as a target man in the box.
Sapong is not the only former JMU player currently plying his trade professionally. Francisco Narbon (2014), a member of the 2014 CAA Championship team, made his debut for FC Cincinnati July 20 against New York Red Bulls II. The defensive midfielder has now made three substitute appearances for a total of 72 minutes. Cincinnati plays in the United Soccer League, the third tier of American soccer, and averages an attendance of over 17,000.
Two more former Dukes are playing professionally in Iceland. Midfielder Jonathan Barden (2011-14) is in his second season with Vestmannaeyjar, who play in the first division. He has 10 appearances in the 2016 season. Defender Bjarki Adalsteinsson (2012-15) has made five appearances for Thor Akureyri, a second division side.
The Dukes open up the 2016 season by hosting the Fairfield Inn by Marriott JMU Invitational. JMU plays Lehigh Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and N.C. State Aug. 28 at 4:30 p.m. Madison will face five teams this fall that made the NCAA tournament in 2015, four of them at home. The challenging schedule is highlighted by a home match against Virginia Monday Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
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