Nkosi Tafari

ACQUIRED

Selected by FC Dallas with the 14th overall pick (1st round) in the MLS SuperDraft on January 9, 2020. 
professional.

NATIONAL TEAM

• Called up to the USMNT 2024 January training camp, his first-ever call up to the National team.

PROFESSIONAL

• Set career highs in 2023 for starts (27), minutes (2487), goals (3) and assists (4).
• In 2023, assisted fellow center back Sebastien Ibeagha’s goal at Vancouver (March 11) and scored at LAFC (March 25) on an assist from Sebastien Ibeagha.
• Delivered a game-tying header in the 90+4’ at SJ (May 27).
• Scored his first goal at Toyota Stadium with the game winner in the 90+7’ vs. ATX (Aug. 26).
• Scored his first professional goal vs. Houston in 2021 and picked up two assists the same year.
• Started in six matches for USL League One’s North Texas SC in 2020.
• Named 2019 WAC Defensive Player of the Year and selected to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team with Seattle University.
• Started 18 times with Seattle’s backline and helped the Redhawks earn 10 shutouts and the WAC regular season title.
• Transferred to Seattle after playing three seasons at UConn appearing in 46 matches with 17 starts.

PERSONAL

• Goes by his middle name Tafari which means “he who inspires awe” in Amharic, or “Tough are I” in the Caribbean.
• Fashion and anime enthusiast.
• Best friend in MLS is Sebastien Ibeagha.