In his first professional start, Sounders FC 2 forward Qudus Lawal made quite the impression and it didn’t take him long to do it.
After falling behind by a second-minute goal against Tulsa Roughnecks, the 19-year-old Nigerian knew that if he wanted to make an impact, he was going to have to do something special. Seven minutes after conceding, Lawal proved he had earned his starting spot with two goals in two minutes.
"To be working so hard as a team, after they scored on us I knew I couldn’t have that be how my first start went and I knew I had to get the guys going," said Lawal. "The coaches and my teammates have been there for me, and getting those goals was part of paying them back for their help to get me to that point."
Although S2 ended up losing the match to the Roughnecks, Qudus’ two goals gave the team a lead which it carried most of the match.
"Qudus is a really good young talent," said S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson. It was good for us to see him get out there in a tough environment and really provide some quality for us."
Lawal has played 114 minutes for the club, coming on as a sub against both Whitecaps FC 2 and Timbers 2 before getting the start against Tulsa. S2 will next face Whitecaps FC 2 again on Sunday, April 29 at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia. Qudus hopes that his contribution in Oklahoma was a significant point in his development within the Sounders FC organization.
"The coaches told me that’s what they want me to do, just keep putting the ball in the net,” said Lawal. “Even though I’m not quite at the next step yet, I’m close, and if I keep working hard the goals will come."
