Ariel Mbumba (born 24 September 2001) is a Congolese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for MLS Next Pro club The Town FC.

Ariel Mbumba
Personal information
Full name Ariel Mbumba
Date of birth (2001-09-24) 24 September 2001 (age 24)
Place of birth Kinshasa, DR Congo
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
The Town FC
Number 74
Youth career
2015 San Jose Earthquakes
2015–2018 Silicon Valley SA
2018 Portland Timbers
2018–2020 De Anza Force
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Oakland Roots 32 (3)
2022–2023 Columbus Crew 2 4 (0)
2024 Spokane Velocity 11 (0)
2025– The Town FC 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of November 24, 2024

Early life

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Mbumba was born in Kinshasa, Mbumba moved with his family to San Jose in the United States.[1]

Club career

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Mbumba joined the youth setup of Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes in 2015 before joining Silicon Valley Soccer Academy, then Juventus Sport Club later that year.[2] He stayed with Silicon Valley SA until 2018 when he briefly joined the Portland Timbers youth academy. He then returned to the Bay Area and joined De Anza Force.[2]

Oakland Roots

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Mbumba joined National Independent Soccer Association club Oakland Roots prior to the 2020 Spring Season and played in their opening match against Chattanooga FC.[3] He came on as a substitute in the 1–1 draw.[3] Following the club's move to the USL Championship, Mbumba was re-signed prior to the 2021 season.[1] In the club's opening match of the season on 8 May 2021 against Phoenix Rising, Mbumba came on as a 78th minute substitute in the 3–0 defeat.[4]

On 2 June 2021, Mbumba scored his first goal for Oakland Roots during their 3–3 draw against Sacramento Republic.[5]

Columbus Crew 2

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Mbumba transferred to MLS Next Pro side Columbus Crew 2 on August 12, 2022. Mbumba was the last remaining player on Roots SC from their first season.[6][7]

Spokane Velocity FC

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Mbumba joined the USL League One team, Spokane Velocity, for its inaugural season in April 2024.[8] Spokane opted not to renew his contract following their 2024 season.[9]

Career statistics

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As of match played 2 June 2021[10]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Oakland Roots 2019–20[11] National Independent Soccer Association2020
2020–21[11] National Independent Soccer Association502070
2021 USL Championship310031
Total 1012000121
Career total 1012000121

References

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