CJ

PRONUNCIATION

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2018 (Philadelphia): Sapong made 32 regular-season appearances (29 starts), totaling four goals and three assists. He notched a one-goal, one-assist performance on opening day vs. New England (March 3). He registered his 100th career Union appearance on May 9 vs. Columbus, becoming the eighth player in team history to reach that milestone. He came on as a substitute in the team's Knockout Round match at NYCFC (October 31). Additionally, Sapong made three appearances in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, totaling one goal and one assist. He recorded one goal and one assist during the Semifinals win over Chicago (August 8). During the season, he was signed to a new, multi-year contract on March 14.

2017 (Philadelphia): Sapong made 33 appearances at forward (30 starts) for Philadelphia in 2017, scoring 16 goals (setting the all-time Union single-season record) while adding five assists. He tallied for three consecutive matches with a goal at D.C. United (April 1), the first time he had done that since he scored in four straight appearances from June 3, 2015 through June 24, 2015. It was the first time that a Union player scored in three straight matches since Roland Alberg from June 18, 2016 through June 25, 2016 (five goals over the span). In a start against the Red Bulls (May 6), he registered the first hat trick of his MLS career. At the time, it was tied for the eighth-fastest hat trick in MLS history (11 minutes) as well as the third overall hat trick in Union history (joining Sebastien Le Toux and Roland Alberg). He was named MLS Player of the Week for his hat trick performance, becoming the seventh different Union player to ever receive that honor. He tied his single-season career best with his ninth goal of the year vs. New England (July 2) and set his new high mark with a goal vs. Columbus (July 26). He tied the Union's all-time single-season goal-scoring record with his 14th tally in a win over Chicago (September 23) and set the record with his 15th and 16th goals in the season finale vs. Orlando (October 22). In the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Sapong made two appearances (two starts), scoring a goal.

2016 (Philadelphia): In his second year with the Union, Sapong appeared in 31 matches, totaling seven goals and two assists. He scored twice as part of a 3-0 win against New England on March 20, 2016. He also played one U.S. Open Cup match, the quarterfinals against New England on July 21, 2016, and started the Union’s MLS Cup Playoff match against Toronto FC on October 27, 2016.

2015 (Philadelphia): Sapong was traded to Philadelphia before the 2015 MLS season, and he made 27 appearances for the club in his first season there, scoring nine times and adding four assists. His debut for the Union came on March 7, 2015 against Colorado and his first goal for the team came on April 17, 2015 against New York City FC. He scored in four straight matches from June 4, 2015 through June 25, 2015 against Seattle. He also made four appearances in the U.S. Open Cup, including in the final against his former club, as the Union made a run to the final.

2014 (Sporting Kansas City): Making 20 regular-season appearances in 2014, Sapong scored two goals in his fourth season for SKC. He also appeared in one MLS Cup Playoffs contest and three CONCACAF Champions League appearances.

2013 (Sporting Kansas City): Sapong made 25 appearances in his third MLS season, scoring four goals and adding two assists. He also made five MLS Cup Playoffs appearances as Sporting Kansas City won MLS Cup; Sapong played 120 minutes in the final, a victory over Real Salt Lake. He made two U.S. Open Cup appearances and also made five appearances during a brief midseason loan stint in the USL with Orlando City SC. He played in six matches during the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League.

2012 (Sporting Kansas City): The forward followed up his Rookie of the Year season with nine goals and two assists in 31 matches for Sporting. He scored in three of the first four regular-season matches. He also made five appearances in the U.S. Open Cup en route to SKC winning the competition. He scored two goals against the Dayton Dutch Lions in the quarterfinals and he made a substitute appearance in the final against Seattle. Sapong also made two MLS Cup Playoff appearances.

2011 (Sporting Kansas City): Sapong was drafted by Sporting KC tenth overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and made 34 appearances during his rookie year, scoring five goals and adding five assists en route to being named the MLS Rookie of the Year. He was the only Sporting player to appear in every regular-season match, scoring in his debut appearance, against Chivas USA, on March 19, 2011. He also made one U.S. Open Cup appearance and three appearances in the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sapong has registered four caps for the United States National Team. After being invited to its 2012 January camp, he debuted for the team as a substitute in a friendly against Venezuela (January 21) and earned his second cap four days later with another substitute appearance against Panama. After a strong start to the 2017 season with the Union, he was named to the USMNT's provisional roster ahead of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, with the tournament set to take place from July 7-26. After the season, he earned an official call-up, receiving the nod to represent the USA ahead of a friendly at Portugal (November 14). He started that match, recording an assist in a 1-1 draw.

Sapong was once again called up by the USMNT ahead of its annual January camp on January 8, 2018. Running from January 10-29, the camp took place at StubHub Center in Carson, California and included an international friendly on January 28 vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Sapong started.

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Sapong was a two-time NSCAA First Team All-South Atlantic Region player in 2009 and 2010 while at James Madison University. He was the first player at James Madison to win conference First-Team honors four times. He was also named 2010 Hermann Trophy Watch List, CAA Player of the Year, 2009 First Team Eastern College Athletic Conference All-Star, Second Team All-State, 2007 Third Team NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region, CAA Rookie of the Year, VaSID Rookie of the Year and First Team All-State.

ACQUIRED

Philadelphia Union acquired forward CJ Sapong from Sporting Kansas City on December 8, 2014 in exchange for the Union’s highest overall selection in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.

Name: CJ Sapong

Position: Forward

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 189

Born: December 27, 1988 in Manassas, VA

Hometown: Manassas, VA

Citizenship: United States

Acquired: Philadelphia Union acquired forward CJ Sapong from Sporting Kansas City on December 8, 2014 in exchange for the Union’s highest overall selection in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Signed to a new multi-year contract on February 8, 2016. Signed to another new multi-year contract on March 14, 2018.

Previous Experience: Sporting Kansas City (2011-2014), Orlando City SC (USL) (2013)