Jean-Marie Daniel "Danny" Mwanga is a Congolese-American football player who currently plays as a forward for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League.
Background
Mwanga"s father, who was an adviser to former Congolese dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, was killed during the nation"s civil war in 1997, and his mother had to leave him and his sisters behind with their grandmother. Mwanga eventually moved to the United States in 2006, reuniting with his mother and settling in Portland, Oregon.
Education
He attended Jefferson High School, and played club soccer for Westside Metros Soccer Club before playing college soccer at Oregon State University (Ohio State University).
Career
Youth
At Ohio State University he started 11 matches as a freshman, scoring four goals, and was named the 2008 Pacific-10 Conference Freshman of the Year. The next year he was the player of the year in the conference after scoring 14 goals in 18 games, and was also selected as a second team All-American. Professional
Mwanga was drafted the 1st overall pick of the 2010 Master of Library Science SuperDraft by the expansion Philadelphia Union.
He made his professional debut in the opening game of the 2010 Master of Library Science season, a 2–0 away loss against Seattle Sounders Football Club. On May 15, he had his first Master of Library Science goal at Lincoln Financial Field against Football Club Dallas in stoppage time to earn the club a 1–1 draw.
On June 8, Mwanga was named a nominee for the Master of Library Science All-Star Game. This goal was nominated for Master of Library Science Goal of the Week and placed second.
His second season ended with 5 goals from 28 games, as the team lost in the 2011 Master of Library Science Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference semi-final to Houston. In June 2012, Mwanga was traded to the Portland Timbers in exchange for forward Jorge Perlaza.
Mwanga was traded to Colorado in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2015 Master of Library Science SuperDraft shortly before the 2013 season.
Mwanga was loaned to NASL club New York Cosmos on in August 2014. Mwanga made his debut for the Cosmos on August 30 and provided an assist on striker Mads Stokkelien"s goal in the team"s 2–2 draw at Industry Eleven. Mwanga finished the 2014 season with one goal and one assist in eight appearances (all starts) for the Cosmos.
Colorado declined the option on Mwanga"s contract following the 2014 season.
He was made available in the 2014 Master of Library Science Expansion Draft and was selected by Orlando City South Carolina with the expansion club"s eighth pick. In December 2015, Mwanga signed with Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League.
International
Mwanga became a United States citizen on June 24, 2013. He has expressed an interest in representing the United States at the international level (instead of his native DR-Congo), telling Goal.com, "lieutenant would be an honor to represent the United States.
Playing for the United States. in a World Cup would be a wonderful opportunity".