Brandon Cambridge
{{Short description|Canadian soccer player (born 2002)}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Brandon Cambridge
|image =
|caption =
|fullname = Akeil Omari Brandon Cambridge{{cite web|url=https://stconcacafwp001.blob.core.windows.net/media/m1skkir0/2023-concacaf-gold-cup-preliminary-rosters_jun1.pdf|title=National team roster – 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Canada|publisher=CONCACAF|page=2|access-date=June 2, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601183619/https://stconcacafwp001.blob.core.windows.net/media/m1skkir0/2023-concacaf-gold-cup-preliminary-rosters_jun1.pdf|url-status=dead}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|2|9|mf=yes}}
|birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, United States
|height = {{convert|1.83|m|order=flip}}
|position = Midfielder
|currentclub = Charlotte FC
|clubnumber = 36
|youthyears1 =
|youthclubs1 = Fraser Valley Premier
|youthyears2 = 2018–2020
|youthclubs2 = Vancouver Whitecaps
|collegeyears1 = 2020–2022
|college1 = Portland Pilots
|collegecaps1 = 45
|collegegoals1 = 17
|years1 = 2021–2022 |clubs1 = PDX FC |caps1 = 9 |goals1 = 1
|years2 = 2023– |clubs2 = Charlotte FC |caps2 = 13 |goals2 = 2
|years3 = 2023– |clubs3 = → Crown Legacy (loan) |caps3 = 20 |goals3 = 6
|nationalyears1 =
|nationalteam1 =
|nationalcaps1 =
|nationalgoals1 =
|club-update = October 26, 2024
|nationalteam-update =
}}
Akeil Omari Brandon Cambridge (born February 9, 2002) is a professional soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC. Born in the United States, he represents Canada.
Early life
Cambridge was born in Brooklyn, New York, to South African parents but moved to Cape Town, South Africa with his family when he was one month old.{{Canada Soccer player|id=5769}} When he was nine, he moved to Florida, before moving to Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan in Canada at age ten, and then Chilliwack, British Columbia at age eleven. He played youth soccer with Fraser Valley Premier, before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy in January 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/players/brandon-cambridge|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507224437/https://www.whitecapsfc.com/players/brandon-cambridge|title=Brandon Cambridge Whitecaps profile|work=Vancouver Whitecaps FC|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2021}} He had previously trained with Abbotsford United in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abbotsfordunitedsc.com/2018/05/08/brandon-cambridge-scores-his-first-goal-for-u17-vancouver-whitecaps/|title=Brandon Cambridge Scores In His Debut For U17 Vancouver Whitecaps!!|date=May 8, 2018|work=Abbotsford United SC|first=Mike|last=Leclerc}} He played with the British Columbia Provincial Team from 2014 until 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2020/7/20/pilots-add-recruit-brandon-cambridge-to-the-mens-soccer-program|title=Pilots Add Recruit Brandon Cambridge to the Men's Soccer Program|date=July 20, 2020|work=Portland Pilots}}
College career
In 2020, Cambridge began attending the University of Portland, where he played for the men's soccer team.{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/brandon-cambridge/7939|title=Brandon Cambridge Portland Pilots profile|work=Portland Pilots}} He made his debut on February 3, 2021, scoring two goals and adding an assist, after coming on as a substitute against the George Fox Bruins.{{cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2021/2/3/msoc-pilots-roll-past-george-fox-in-season-opener.aspx|title=Pilots Roll Past George Fox in Season Opener|date=February 3, 2021|work=Portland Pilots}} He made his first start in the next match on February 8 against the Oregon State Beavers. After his freshman season, he was named to the All-WCC Freshman Team.{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2021/4/23/mens-soccer-eight-pilots-garner-all-wcc-recognition.aspx|title=Eight Pilots garner All-WCC Recognition|date=April 23, 2021|work=Portland Pilots}} He scored the game-winning goal via a penalty kick in a 1–0 win over the Sacramento State Hornets on September 13, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2021/9/13/mens-soccer-cambridges-pk-puts-pilots-on-top-1-0-in-physical-match.aspx|date=September 13, 2021|work=Portland Pilots|title=Cambridge's PK puts Pilots on top 1-0 in Physical Match}} He was named the U.S. Bank Student-Athletes of the Month for September 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2022/10/12/mens-soccer-cambridge-norris-named-us-bank-student-athletes-of-the-month.aspx|date=October 12, 2022|work=Portland Pilots|title=Cambridge, Norris Named U.S. Bank Student-Athletes of the Month}} He was a three-time WCC Player of the Week in the 2022 season.{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2022/9/12/mens-soccer-sweeps-wcc-weekly-awards-again-cambridge.aspx|title=Men's Soccer Sweeps WCC Weekly Awards Again, Cambridge and Pierre Recognized|date=September 12, 2022|work=Portland Pilots}}{{cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2022/10/24/mens-soccer-cambridge-tasouris-sweep-wcc-player-of-the-week-honors.aspx|title=Cambridge, Tasouris Sweep WCC Player of the Week Honors|date=October 24, 2022|work=Portland Pilots}}{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2022/11/7/mens-soccer-cambridge-named-wcc-player-of-the-week-for-third-time-this-season|title=Cambridge Named WCC Player of the Week for Third Time This Season|date=November 7, 2022|work=Portland Pilots}} He was also named the TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Week and named to the College Soccer News Team of the Week in September 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2022/9/13/mens-soccer-brandon-cambridge-named-topdrawersoccer-player-of-the-week.aspx|title=Brandon Cambridge Named TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Week, Makes College Soccer News Team of the Week|date=September 13, 2022|work=Portland Pilots}} On November 5, 2022, he scored a hat trick in a 4–0 victory over the Santa Clara Broncos,{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2022/11/5/mens-soccer-portland-notches-4-0-shutout-victory-against-santa-clara.aspx|title=Pilots Rout Santa Clara 4-0 to go Undefeated at Home for First Time Since '95|date=November 5, 2022|work=Portland Pilots}} which earned him College Soccer News Player of the Week honors.{{Cite web|url=https://collegesoccernews.com/portland-midfielder-brandon-cambridge-college-soccer-news-mens-national-player-of-the-week-week-ending-novermber-6-2022/|title=Portland midfielder Brandon Cambridge - College Soccer News Men's national player of the Week - Week ending November 6, 2022|work=College Soccer News|date=November 7, 2022 }} He led the WCC in goals, points, and game-winning goals in 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2022/12/21/mens-soccer-cambridge-signs-pro-contract-with-mls-side-charlotte-fc.aspx|title=Cambridge Signs Pro Contract With MLS Side Charlotte FC|date=December 21, 2022|work=Portland Pilots}} At the end of his junior season in 2022, he was named the WCC Offensive Player of the Year, named to the All-WCC First Team{{cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2022/11/16/mens-soccer-cambridge-and-tasouris-earn-wcc-player-of-the-year-awards-10-pilots-earn-all-wcc.aspx|title=Cambridge and Tasouris Earn WCC Player of the Year Awards; 10 Pilots Earn All-WCC|date=November 16, 2022|work=Portland Pilots}} and a Third Team All-American.{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2022/12/21/mens-soccer-cambridge-named-third-team-all-american-by-college-soccer-news.aspx|title=Cambridge Named Third Team All-American by College Soccer News|date=December 21, 2022|work=Portland Pilots}} He departed Portland after his junior season to turn professional.{{Cite web|url=https://portlandpilots.com/news/2022/12/21/mens-soccer-cambridge-ready-to-take-it-to-the-next-level-charlotte.aspx|title=Brandon Cambridge Trusted the Process; Now the Work Begins in Charlotte|first=Kyle|last=Garcia|work=Portland Pilots|date=December 21, 2022}}
Club career
In 2021 and 2022, Cambridge played with PDX FC in USL League Two.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/46821553|title=Brandon Cambridge 2021 USL2 Stats|work=USL League Two}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/55603844?subseason=800197|title=Brandon Cambridge 2022 USL2 Stats|work=USL League Two}}
In December 2022, Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC acquired Cambridge's homegrown rights from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money, other conditional GAM, as well as a sell-on fee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/whitecaps-fc-receives-50-000-in-gam-from-charlotte-fc-in-exchange-for-mls-homegr|title=Whitecaps FC receives $50,000 in GAM from Charlotte FC in exchange for MLS Homegrown Territory Exclusivity over midfielder Brandon Cambridge|date=December 21, 2022|work=Vancouver Whitecaps FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.90min.com/posts/charlotte-fc-sign-midfielder-brandon-cambridge-after-acquiring-rights-from-vancouver-whitecaps|title=Charlotte FC sign midfielder Brandon Cambridge after acquiring rights from Vancouver Whitecaps|first=Chris|last=Smith|work=90min|date=December 22, 2022}} Charlotte then signed him to a homegrown player contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlottefootballclub.com/news/charlotte-fc-signs-university-of-portland-midfielder-brandon-cambridge|title=Charlotte FC Signs University of Portland Midfielder Brandon Cambridge|date=December 21, 2022|work=Charlotte FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2022/12/21/qcfc/charlotte-fc-signs-midfielder-brandon-cambridge/|title=Charlotte FC signs midfielder Brandon Cambridge|work=The Charlotte Post|date=December 21, 2022|first=Herbert L.|last=White}} On March 26, 2023, he made his professional debut playing for Charlotte's second team, Crown Legacy FC, in MLS Next Pro, scoring the team's first ever goal against Huntsville City FC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlottefootballclub.com/clfc/news/crown-legacy-fc-earned-a-point-in-inaugural-match|title=Crown Legacy FC Earned a Point in Inaugural Match|date=March 26, 2023|work=Charlotte FC}} He scored a brace in Crown Legacy's next match on March 31, in a 2–1 victory over FC Cincinnati 2,{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/alex-freeman-brandon-cambridge-lead-the-way-in-friday-s-mls-next-pro-action|title=Alex Freeman, Brandon Cambridge lead the way in Friday's MLS NEXT Pro action|first=Larry|last=Henry Jr.|work=MLS Next Pro|date=March 31, 2023}} earning MLSNP Player of the Matchday honors.{{Cite web|title=Crown Legacy FC Forward Brandon Cambridge Voted MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchday|url=https://www.charlottefootballclub.com/clfc/news/crown-legacy-fc-forward-brandon-cambridge-voted-mls-next-pro-player-of-the-match|date=April 3, 2023|work=Charlotte FC}} He made his Major League Soccer debut on April 8 against Real Salt Lake.{{cite web|url=https://www.charlottefootballclub.com/news/full-time-charlotte-fc-fall-3-1-to-real-salt-lake|title=Full Time: Charlotte FC Fall 3-1 to Real Salt Lake|date=April 8, 2023|first=Caleb|last=Adams|work=Charlotte FC}} On May 17, Cambridge scored his first two MLS goals in a 2–1 victory over the Chicago Fire.{{Cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/sports-pmn/brandon-cambridge-scores-twice-as-charlotte-fc-rallies-past-fire|title=Brandon Cambridge scores twice as Charlotte FC rallies past Fire|work=National Post|date=May 17, 2023}}
International career
In February 2016, he made his debut in the Canadian national program, attending a Canada U15 identification camp, and also attended a second camp in March 2017.
In June 2023, Cambridge was named to Canada's preliminary squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/current-and-former-cplers-included-as-gold-cup-preliminary-squads-unveiled|date=June 1, 2023|title=Current and former CPLers included as Gold Cup preliminary squads unveiled|first=Benedict|last=Rhodes}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played August 11, 2023}}{{soccerway|brandon-cambridge/554112}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|Playoffs !colspan=2|National Cup !colspan=2|Continental !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=3|PDX FC
|2021 |4 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 4 | 1 | |||||
| 2022
|5 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 5 | 0 | |||||
| colspan=2|Total
!9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| Charlotte FC
|2023 |MLS |9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||
| Crown Legacy FC (loan)
|2023 |2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 2 | 3 | ||||
| colspan=3|Career total
!20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 6 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerway|brandon-cambridge/554112}}
{{Charlotte FC squad}}
{{Crown Legacy FC squad}}
{{West Coast Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Year navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cambridge, Brandon}}
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:American people of South African descent
Category:Canadian people of South African descent
Category:American emigrants to Canada
Category:Crown Legacy FC players
Category:Whitecaps FC Academy players
Category:Portland Pilots men's soccer players
Category:USL League Two players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Soccer people from British Columbia