Oregon Public Broadcasting

A young star who made his name in Portland has been chosen in the first round of the Major League Soccer draft. April Baer reports.

18-year-old Danny Mwanga is a Jefferson High School grad and Oregon State star forward who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Even as a teenager he dazzled coaches.

Cony Konstin, director of the West Side Metros soccer club in Portland, first saw him play as a teenager, when Konstin was assistant coaching for the Portland Timbers.

Mwanga was a little young for the Timbers, but Konstin says he immediately thought of his friend Monty Hawkins, who was coaching the Metros’ high school-age program.

Cony Konstin   “I called Monty right away, I said Monty get over here, you gotta see this kid, you’re gonna want him on your team.”

Mwanga ended up playing with the Metros for three years.

He was picked by the Philadelphia Union.

Oregon State fans may not have far to go to watch him. The team’s schedule includes a game March 25th against Seattle, although there’s no word yet on whether Mwanga will play.