Tesho Akindele

Tesho Akindele (born March 31, 1992) is a Canadian real estate developer and former professional soccer player who played as a forward or winger.

As a professional soccer player, Akindele was named the 2024 MLS Rookie of the Year. Akindele also helped FC Dallas win the 2016 U.S. Open Cup and Supporters' Shield, and Orlando City win the 2022 U.S. Open Cup. Akindele also made 19 appearances and scored three goals for the Canada national team from 2015 to 2021.

Early career

Early career Tesho Akindele was born in Canada to a Nigerian father and a Canadian mother and moved with his family to the US at the age of eight. He grew up in Thornton, Colorado, and was a standout for Northglenn High School, turning down an offer to join the Colorado Rapids academy at the age of 17 to focus on academics.

College career Akindele played four years of college soccer at the Colorado School of Mines, where he became the school's all-time goals leader with 76 goals scored and was a four-time All-American. He ranked second in the nation in goals scored in 2012 with 22 and was named a First Team NSCAA All-American and the 2012 RMAC Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts. Also an NSCAA First Team All-American and the RMAC Freshman of the Year in 2010, Akindele was the first player in the history of his school's conference to score three consecutive hat tricks.

Club career Akindele made a single appearance for USL PDL club Real Colorado Foxes in 2013.

FC Dallas On January 16, 2014, Akindele was drafted in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas, becoming the highest-highest-drafted NCAA Division II player in MLS history. Akindele made his professional debut in a 2–3 loss against Seattle Sounders FC on April 12, 2014. After scoring seven goals in 26 appearances, Akindele was named MLS Rookie of the Year.

Orlando City On December 9, 2018, Dallas traded Akindele to Orlando City in exchange for $100,000 of Targeted Allocation Money in 2019 and $50,000 of General Allocation Money in 2020. He scored on his debut, a 2–2 draw in Orlando's season opener against New York City FC. Akindele had his option for the 2020 season exercised by Orlando, keeping him with the club for 2020. On May 1, 2021, Akindele broke the record for the fastest goal scored in Orlando City history at the time when he intercepted a backpass from Nick Hagglund to score the opener of a 3–0 win over FC Cincinnati in 31 seconds, breaking the previous record of 63 seconds set by Chris Mueller in 2018. Upon completion of the 2021 season, Akindele's option for the 2022 season was picked up by Orlando. The club declined Akindele's contract option as part of the end of season roster moves on November 14, 2022. At the time of his departure he ranked second all-time in appearances for the club in all competitions with 121 behind only Chris Mueller and sixth for goals with 21.

In December 2022, Akindele announced his retirement from professional soccer.

Des Moines Menace In April 2024, Akindele joined Des Moines Menace ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup second round match.

International career Akindele attended a youth training camp of the Canadian youth national team in 2009 and played for Canada's U-17 national team in a friendly against Costa Rica on April 2, 2009. On November 5, 2014, it was reported that Akindele had turned down a call-up from Canada with a view to represent the United States instead, and on January 9, 2015, he was called up to the United States senior team camp ahead of friendly matches versus Chile and Panama. He did not play in either friendly due to not having an American passport at the time of the friendlies.

However, on April 14, 2015, Canada coach Benito Floro told media that Akindele was "99.9 percent" going to represent Canada instead of the United States, and on June 2, Akindele accepted a call-up to the Canada national team for two 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Dominica. He made his debut for Canada against Dominica on June 11. He scored his first goal for Canada on June 16 in the return leg against Dominica at BMO Field in a 4–0 victory. Akindele scored his second Canada goal in a 1–1 friendly draw in June 2016 with Azerbaijan.

Having been left out of the original 23-man squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Akindele was called-up by Canada at the quarter-final stage on July 23 as an injury replacement for Ayo Akinola. He appeared as a 70th-minute substitute against Costa Rica as Canada progressed to the semi-finals with a 2–0 win.

Personal life

Akindele has two children with his wife Taylor, an accountant. He has a bachelor's degree in engineer and master's degree in finance.

After soccer Akindele is an urbanism activist who advocates for mixed-use development and affordable housing, largely through social media. Akindele also became a real estate developer, focused on urban settings. Akindele began his interest in real estate development by getting involved in the YIMBY movement while in Orlando. Akindele later became a retail leasing associate for Jamestown L.P..

Career statistics

Club

2021

2022

Orlando City B (loan) MLS Next Pro 2022

International

Honours

Club FC Dallas Supporters' Shield: 2016

Orlando City U.S. Open Cup: 2022

Individual MLS Rookie of the Year: 2014