Darlington Nagbe

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Updated through October 26, 2023

Columbus (2022): Nagbe made 34 regular-season appearances (34 starts at center-mid) and recorded a total of 30,039 minutes recorded his most minutes recorded for the Black & Gold. Nagbe started the season-opener at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps (February 26). The midfielder recorded his first goal of the season against the New York Red Bulls (March 20), in which he was named in the starting XI. Nagbe recorded his second goal of the season against D.C. United at Lower.com Field in a 3-0 win (April 30). Nagbe recorded his third goal of the season in a 2-1 win away from home at Toronto FC (June 29). Notably, Nagbe had an 100% passing accuracy percentage against the Chicago Fire FC (September 3), in which Nagbe completed 62 passes of 62 passes attempted. The former U.S. Men’s National Team player completed the season appearing in all 34 matches of the MLS Regular Season.

Columbus (2021): Nagbe made 33 regular-season appearances (33 starts at center-mid). The midfielder started the 2021 campaign off in the Concacaf Champions League with starts against Real Estelí FC (April 8) and CF Monterrey (April 28). Nagbe began the MLS Regular Season with a start away at CF Montreal (May 1). Nagbe earned his first goal of the season with a smooth right footed chipped shot over the keeper against NYCFC (July 17). The Lakewood, Ohio native would go on to start the next 22 games, earning two goals and five assists to close out the 2021 MLS Regular Season.

Columbus (2020): Nagbe was acquired by Crew SC on November 13, 2019 via a trade with Atlanta United FC and made 15 regular-season appearances (14 starts as a center-midfielder) for Crew SC in 2020. The midfielder made his Black & Gold 2020 regular-season debut as a starter on Opening Match against New York City FC (March 1), before starting on the road against Seattle Sounders FC (March 7). During the Group Stage of the MLS is Back Tournament, Nagbe started against FC Cincinnati* (July 11), the New York Red Bulls* (July 16) and his former club Atlanta United* (July 21). Nagbe was the only member of the Black & Gold to receive MLSiB Team of the Week honors for all three Group Stage rounds. Nagbe started in each game of the MLS is Back Tournament. The midfielder started at home against Chicago Fire FC (August 20), netting his first regular-season and Crew SC goal in the 81st minute, also providing his first regular-season and Crew assist to Gyasi Zardes' 88th-minute goal. Notably, Nagbe earned MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week honors and a nomination for Goal of the Week after his performance against the Fire. He then started on the road at New York City FC (August 24). He then made consecutive starts on the road against FC Cincinnati (August 29), at home against Philadelphia Union (September 2) and at home against FC Cincinnati (September 6). Nagbe missed eight matches in a row starting September 12 due to injury. The midfielder returned to the pitch and started on the road at the Houston Dynamo (October 24), followed by making a substitute appearance on the road at D.C. United (October 28). He then made three consecutive starts: at home against the Philadelphia Union (November 1), on the road at Orlando City SC (November 4) and at home against Atlanta United (November 8). In Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs action, Nagbe made three starts: at home against the New York Red Bulls (November 21) - notably scoring second-career postseason goal - at home against Nashville SC (November 29) and against the New England Revolution (December 6).

* MLS is Back Tournament Group Stage matches counted towards the 2020 MLS regular season

2019 (Atlanta): Nagbe made 33 regular-season appearances (32 starts), scoring two goals and providing four assists. He made five appearances (all starts) in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, helping Atlanta United win the title for the first time. Nagbe started for Atlanta United in the 2019 Campeones Cup, helping Atlanta defeat Club America of Liga MX to win the trophy.

2018 (Atlanta): Nagbe made 23 regular-season appearances (all starts), providing three assists. He made five appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs, helping Atlanta United win the 2018 Eastern Conference Championship and MLS Cup.

2017 (Portland): Nagbe made 27 regular-season appearances (all starts), registering three goals and five assists.

2016 (Portland): Nagbe made 27 regular-season appearances (all starts), scoring one goal and tallying five assists.

2015 (Portland): Nagbe made 33 regular-season appearances (all starts), recording five goals and five assists. Nagbe played every minute of the MLS Cup playoffs and registered two assists en route to helping the Portland Timbers win the Western Conference Championship and MLS Cup. He won the MLS Individual Fair Play Award.

2014 (Portland): Nagbe made 32 regular-season appearances (30 starts), registering one goal and a career-high seven assists. He made his CONCACAF Champions League debut on as a second-half substitute for midfielder Michael Nanchoff in a 4-2 win over C.D. Olimpia at Providence Park (September 16).

2013 (Portland): Nagbe started in all 34 regular-season matches games, scoring a career-high nine goals and notching four assists. He was listed at number one on MLSsoccer.com’s 24 Under 24, the website’s annual series that lists the top players in MLS under the age of 2. Nagbe was voted the 2013 Timbers Players' Player of the Year by his teammates for his efforts during the regular season. He was the recipient of the 2013 MLS Individual Fair Play Award.

2012 (Portland): Nagbe made 33 regular-season appearances (31 starts), scoring six goals – the second-most for the team - and providing one assist. He became the youngest player to appear in 50 games for the MLS Timbers on Aug. 15 at 22 years, 27 days.

2011 (Portland): Nagbe made 28 regular-season appearances (21 starts) during his rookie year, scoring two goals and providing three assists. He made his professional and MLS debut on April 2, coming on as a second-half sub in a 1-1 draw on the road against the New England Revolution. Nagbe scored his first professional goal against Sporting Kansas City (July 2), a goal that would go on to be named the 2011 AT&T MLS Goal of the Year.

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

At the collegiate level, Nagbe played for the University of Akron Zips from 2008-2010, scoring 19 goals and providing 19 assists in 73 appearances. During his time in Akron, Nagbe helped the team win one NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament (2010) – the first in Akron’s history – as well as three consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament titles (2008, 2009, 2010). The midfielder’s three seasons with the Zips also saw him amass multiple individual awards including the Hermann Trophy (2010), the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Player of the Year (2010), the MAC Player of the Year (2010), the MAC Newcomer of the Year (2008), NSCAA All-America First Team (2010) and NSCAA All-America Second Team (2009) honors, as well as three All-MAC First-Team selections (2008, 2009, 2010).

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Nagbe has earned 25 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, tallying one goal and two assists since making his debut in a World Cup Qualifier against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2015 (November 13). He scored his first goal for the Stars and Stripes in a 2016 friendly against Ecuador (May 25), netting the game-winner in the 90th minute of the contest. Later that year, the midfielder helped the U.S. squad finish fourth at the 2016 Copa America Centenario. Nagbe also helped the Americans win the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, making three appearances (all starts) en route to being named to the tournament’s Best XI. His most recent cap came in a friendly against Paraguay in 2018 (March 28).

PERSONAL

Nagbe is married to his wife Felicia. The couple has a daughter and two sons. Nagbe is the son of Joe and Someh and he has one brother and two sisters. His father, Joe, is a for­mer captain of the Liberian National Team. Nagbe is a dual citizen of Liberia and the United States. Growing up, he used to look up to French striker Thierry Henry. Nagbe enjoys watching Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta play. He was six years old when he scored his first goal. Nagbe’s favorite food is rice and chicken. If he could play any other sport, he would play basketball.

ACQUIRED

Columbus Crew SC acquired midfielder Darlington Nagbe from Atlanta United in exchange for $700,000 in Targeted Allocation Money, $150,000 in General Allocation Money and an international roster spot for the 2020 MLS season, as well as $200,000 in Targeted Allocation Money for the 2021 MLS season on November 13, 2019.

Name: Darlington Nagbe (NAG-be)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 170
Born: July 19, 1990 in Monrovia, Liberia
Hometown: Lakewood, Ohio
Citizenship: Liberia and United States
Acquired: Acquired by Crew SC from Atlanta United in exchange for $700,000 in Targeted Allocation Money, $150,000 in General Allocation Money and an international roster spot for the 2020 MLS season, as well as $200,000 in Targeted Allocation Money for the 2021 MLS season on November 13, 2019.
Previous Experience: Portland Timbers (2011-2017), Atlanta United (2018-2019)