Kalil ElMedkhar

Kalil ElMedkhar
Personal information
Full name Kalil ElMedkhar
Date of birth (1999-08-18) August 18, 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Middletown, Delaware, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
Loudoun United
Number 10
Youth career
2013–2017 Philadelphia Union
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 Kentucky Wildcats 66 (20)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2019 Reading United 17 (4)
2021–2022 FC Dallas 11 (0)
2021–2022North Texas SC (loan) 13 (4)
2023– Loudoun United 50 (14)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 31, 2024

Kalil ElMedkhar (born August 18, 1999) is a Syrian American soccer player who plays for Loudoun United FC in the USL Championship.

Playing career

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Youth

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ElMedkhar joined the Philadelphia Union YSC Academy in 2013, where he played for five years.[2]

College and amateur

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ElMedkhar attended the University of Kentucky to play college soccer. In four seasons with the Wildcats, ElMedkhar made 66 appearances, scoring 20 goals and tallying 21 assists. Accolades earned during his time in college saw ElMedkhar named to United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region First Team and All-Conference USA First Team in 2018 and 2019, as well as to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2019. Prior to the start of his junior year season, ElMedkhar was also named C-USA Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year, to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and the C-USA Preseason Team.[3]

ElMedkhar also appeared for USL League Two side Reading United AC in both 2018 and 2019, making 22 appearances and scoring 5 goals across the regular season and playoffs.[4][5]

Professional

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On January 14, 2021, ElMedkhar signed a two-year deal with MLS side FC Dallas after Dallas acquired his homegrown player rights from Philadelphia Union in exchange for $50,000 of General Allocation Money, with further Allocation Money dependence on ElMedkhar meeting certain performance metrics.[6]

He made his professional debut on May 8, 2021, starting for Dallas's USL League One affiliate side North Texas SC against Chattanooga Red Wolves in a 1–0 loss.[7]

Following the 2022 season, ElMedkhar's contract option was declined by Dallas.[8]

On January 12, 2023, ElMedkhar signed with D.C. United affiliate club Loudoun United.[9]

Personal

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ElMedkhar was born in Delaware in the United States, but also holds Syrian citizenship as his father emigrated from Syria to study medicine at the University of Delaware.[10] His mother passed away due to cancer in June 2023.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Kalil ElMedkhar". FC Dallas. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  2. ^ "Philadelphia Union". phil.ussoccerda.com.
  3. ^ "Kalil ElMedkhar - Men's Soccer". University of Kentucky Athletics. 22 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Reading United AC - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - # - Kalil El Medkhar - M". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
  5. ^ "Reading United AC | uslleaguetwo.com". USLLeagueTwo.com.
  6. ^ "FC Dallas Signs Winger Kalil ElMedkhar". FC Dallas.
  7. ^ "North Texas SC vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC - May 8, 2021". USLLeagueOne.com.
  8. ^ "FC Dallas Announces Roster Decisions for 2023 Season". FC Dallas.
  9. ^ "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Kalil ElMedkhar". Loudoun United FC.
  10. ^ "Former Kentucky Winger Kalil ElMedkhar Looks to Make Professional Breakthrough with FC Dallas". FC Dallas.
  11. ^ "VA Pro Soccer Player Who Lost Mom To Cancer Sees Support From Teammates, Fans". Ashburn Daily Voice. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
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