Victor Mansaray

Victor Mansaray (born February 2, 1997) is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Liga 1 club PSM Makassar. Born in Sierra Leone, he has represented the United States at youth level.

Early life

Victor Mansaray was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone on February 2, 1997. During his youth, he spent time with his family in both Sierra Leone and Jamaica. He later moved to the Seattle area in Washington State. He first lived in the city of Puyallup before moving again to nearby Fife, where he attended Fife High School.

Club career

Youth

Mansaray entered the Seattle Sounders Academy midway through the 2012–2013 season and appeared in 20 games, scoring 11 goals. The following season, still with the U-16's, he scored a team-high 18 goals in 24 games.

Seattle Sounders

In November 2014, Mansaray signed with Seattle Sounders, making him the club's youngest ever signing at the age of 17, as well as their fourth Homegrown Player. He first appeared for Sounders during a pre-season match in the Desert Diamond Cup on February 21. He was substituted in at the 66th minute and scored a goal at the 74th, but the Sounders ultimately lost to Sporting Kansas City, 2–3. On March 21, 2015, he made his regular season professional debut with USL affiliate club Seattle Sounders 2 in a 4–2 victory over Sacramento Republic. He made his MLS debut a week later in a 0–0 draw away to FC Dallas.

FC Cincinnati (loan)

On February 6, 2017, USL club FC Cincinnati announced that they had acquired Mansaray via a loan from Seattle Sounders. Cincinnati coach Alan Koch played Mansaray primarily as a substitute; Mansaray started for just three of his eight league appearances, and never played a full 90 minutes. On June 27, 2017, it was announced that Mansaray's loan had ended and he had returned to Seattle Sounders. He was waived by the club on August 10.

Umeå

He played for Umeå in the 2017 season.

Charleston Battery

After spending a season with Swedish side Umeå, Mansaray signed with USL side Charleston Battery for the 2018 season on February 14, 2018. Mansaray's option was declined by Charleston on November 30, 2018.

Becamex Binh Duong

On February 16, 2019, Mansaray joined V.League 1 side Becamex Binh Duong on a short-term contract.

Ho Chi Minh City

On July 2, 2019, he moved to another V.League 1 club Ho Chi Minh City with number 80 jersey.

Hong Linh Ha Tinh

In 2020, he joined Hong Linh Ha Tinh, also of V.League 1.

Becamex Binh Duong

In November 2020, Mansaray agreed a move to former club Becamex Binh Duong for the 2021 season.

PSM Makassar

On December 15, 2023, he decided to resign from Liga 1 club PSM Makassar after two months in the team. This was motivated by the team management's salary arrears. He said in his Instagram story that he felt lied to and betrayed by the management from PSM Makassar.

International career

United States U18

Mansaray was selected to the United States under-18 national team in August 2014. He played two games in the friendly tournament hosted by the Czech Republic, against Hungary and Ukraine. Before choosing to play for the United States, Mansaray opted to forgo opportunities with Sierra Leone, as well as Jamaica. In December 2014, Mansaray received his third and fourth caps in two games against the Germany under-18 national team.

United States U20

After turning 18 in February 2015, Mansaray moved up to the United States under-20 national team. He made one appearance for the United States U-20 team in 2015, followed by six appearances (with two goals scored) in 2016. In early 2017, Mansaray was called up for a United States U-20 training camp from January 31 to February 10. However, at the conclusion of the camp, Mansaray was not included on the team's 20-man roster for U-20 World Cup qualifying matches.

Sierra Leone

Shortly after being dropped from the U.S. team for the 2017 U20 World Cup, Mansaray told press he would be open to being called up by the Sierra Leone national team. On June 5, 2017, Mansaray announced via Instagram that he had been called up by Sierra Leone.

References

External links

• Victor Mansaray at Soccerway
• Victor Mansaray at Major League Soccer
• Victor Mansaray at USL Championship