Marius Obekop

Marius Obekop

Personal information
Date of birth	19 December 1994
Place of birth	Yaoundé, Cameroon
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Orlando City B
Number	47
Youth career
	Arsenal de Yaounde
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2010–2012	Renaissance	18	(5)
2013–2015	New York Red Bulls	8	(0)
2015	→ New York Red Bulls II (loan)	20	(6)
2016–	Orlando City B	2	(0)
National team
2010–2011	Cameroon U17	30	(16)
2012	Cameroon U20	2	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 April 2016. † Appearances (goals)

Marius Obekop (born 19 December 1994) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Orlando City B in the United Soccer League.

Career

Early career

Obekop spent the majority of his youth career with Arsenal de Yaounde before joining Renaissance FC de Ngoumou in the Elite One, Cameroon's top division.^[1] He made his debut with Renaissance on 19 December 2010 in a match against Caiman Douala scoring on a shot from outside the box.^[2] Upon joining the club Obekop forced his way into the starting lineup and was a key player in helping Renaissance maintain its top flight status. In the 2012 season Obekop played 18 games for Renaissance in the league while also scoring five goals.^[1]

New York Red Bulls

In November 2012 scouts from Major League Soccer in the United States went to observe the top young Cameroonian players as selected by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football. Obekop impressed the American talent evaluators and earned a trial with New York Red Bulls in January 2013.^[3] On 18 March 2013 the Red Bulls announced that they had agreed to terms with Obekop.^[4] Obekop then made his professional debut with the team on 17 April 2013 against Sporting Kansas City.

New York Red Bulls II

Marius Obekop playing for New York Red Bulls II in 2015

Obekop was loaned to affiliate side New York Red Bulls II during the 2015 season and made his debut as a starter for the side in its first ever match on 28 March 2015 in a 0–0 draw with Rochester Rhinos.^[5] On 4 April 2015 Obekop scored his first goal for New York Red Bulls II, converting from the penalty spot to help the club to a 4–1 victory over Toronto FC II, the first victory in club history.^[6] On 27 June 2015 Obekop scored the opening goal for the club in a 4–1 victory over Saint Louis FC.^[7] On 2 August 2015 Obekop scored the first goal of the match for New York in a 2–1 victory against Saint Louis FC.^[8] On 29 August 2015 Obekop scored his fifth goal of the season for NYRBII in a 2–0 victory over Wilmington Hammerheads FC. ^[9]

Orlando City B

On 13 January 2016, Obekop signed with United Soccer League's Orlando City B. ^[10]

International Career

Obekop has represented Cameroon at the Under-17 and Under-20 levels. In 2010 he made his debut with the U-17s and scored 12 goals in 15 matches. The following year he appeared in 15 U-17 Cup of Nations qualifiers and scored 4 goals. In 2012 he appeared in 2 matches for the U-20s.

Career statistics

As of 30 November 2015^[11]

Club	Season	League		MLS Cup/Playoffs		US Open Cup		CONCACAF		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
New York Red Bulls	2013	5	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	5	0
	2014	2	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	5	0
	2015	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	Total	8	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	11	0
New York Red Bulls II (loan)	2015	20	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	22	6
	Total	20	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	22	6
Orlando City B	2016	2	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	2	0
	Total	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Career total		30	6	2	0	0	0	3	0	35	6

References

1. "Red Bulls Sign Midfielder Marius Obekop and Forward Rafhinha". New York Red Bulls. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
2. "Marius Obekop profile". westafricanfootall.com. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
3. "Marius Obekop chez les Red Bulls de New York" (in French). mboafootball.com. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
4. "Red Bulls sign Obekop and Rafhinha". newyorkredbulls.com. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
5. "Red Bulls II 0 Rochester Rhinos 0". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
6. "Red Bulls II earn first victory in team history". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
7. "MATCH RECAP: Saint Louis FC 1, New York Red Bulls II 4". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
8. "MATCH RECAP: New York Red Bulls II 2, Saint Louis FC 1". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
9. "NYRB II Secures Shutout Win Against Hammerheads". uslsoccer.com. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
10. "Orlando City B Deepens Squad with Seven Acquisitions". OrlandoCitySC.com. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
11. Marius Obekop profile at Soccerway

External links

• MLS player profile
• WestAfricanFootball.com profile