Matthew Mbuta

Matthew Mbuta

Personal information
Full name	Matthew Andongcho Mbuta
Date of birth	(1985-12-21) 21 December 1985 (age 38)
Place of birth	Bamenda, Cameroon
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder / winger
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004–2006	PWD Bamenda
2006	DPMM FC	8	(3)
2007–2008	Crystal Palace Baltimore	33	(7)
2008–2009	New York Red Bulls	12	(2)
2009	→ Richmond Kickers (loan)	1	(0)
2009	→ Crystal Palace Baltimore (loan)	3	(2)
2010	Crystal Palace Baltimore	25	(1)
2012	Syrianska	9	(0)
2012–2013	Army United	9	(1)
2013–2014	Duhok SC	8	(3)
International career‡
2011–2012	Cameroon	5	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 March 2013 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 December 2011

Matthew Andongcho Mbuta (born 21 December 1985) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Iraqi First Division League club Duhok SC.

Mbuta began his career with PWD Bamenda of the Cameroon Première Division. In his first season with the club he striker scored 12 goals in 20 appearances, and emerged as the third best player of the championship. Thanks to his play, PWD qualified for the CAF Cup, where the club reached the quarterfinal stage, with Mbuta netting five goals in four continental matches.

In 2006 Mbuta signed with Brunei DPMM, which represented Brunei Darussalam in the Malaysian Super League. Mbuta was a pivotal player in the DPMM attack, playing either as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker. Following his impressive season in Malaysia, Mbuta had trial spells with Notts County

In 2007 Mbuta moved to the United States to play for Crystal Palace Baltimore in the USL Second Division. In his first season with Baltimore he was named in the USL-2 All-League First-Team for scoring 5 goals in 16 games and also recording 7 assists. In his second season with Baltimore he was named in the USL-2 All-League Second-Team. His play with Crystal Palace Baltimore, especially during the 2008 US Open Cup where Mbuta faced Major League Soccer opposition, helped generate interest amongst the United States top-flight clubs.

Mbuta was signed by New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer on 15 September 2008 and made his debut against Colorado Rapids on 27 September 2008, in which he managed to score a goal in the 5–4 loss. He was loaned to his old club Crystal Palace Baltimore in May 2009.^[1] The second time he scored for the Red Bulls was the last goal ever at Giants Stadium. He successfully converted a penalty kick in second half stoppage time to cap a 5–0 victory over Toronto FC in the 2009 regular season finale on 24 October.

He was released by New York prior to the 2010 season.^[2] Shortly thereafter he re-signed with Crystal Palace Baltimore.^[3] In March 2011, the club was dissolved.

During the 2011–12 season, Mbuta signed with FC Dinamo București in Romania. In April 2012 Mbuta signed with Syrianska of the Swedish top-flight Allsvenskan.^[4] His Nordic stay lasted only a few months and by summer 2012 he was out of contract.

Mbuta joined Army United F.C. of the Thai Premier League during the 2012–13 season. For the 2013-14 campaign, Mbuta signed with Duhok SC in the Iraqi Premier League.

(correct as of 26 September 2010)

• MLS player profile at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 October 2008)
• Matthew Mbuta at Soccerway