Stephen Afrifa

Forward Stephen Afrifa was selected by Sporting Kansas City as the eighth overall pick of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft before signing with the team at the conclusion of his senior year in April. He enjoyed a standout career at Florida International University, where he amassed 23 goals and 11 assists in 63 appearances from 2019-2022. He made his debut for Sporting on May 17, 2023 at LAFC before earning his first start at Austin FC on July 15, 2023. Enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, tallying six goals and three assists - including his first-ever goal for Sporting in the 4-0 win over FC Tulsa in the U.S. Open Cup on May 21, 2024 and adding his first MLS goal on the road against eventual champions the LA Galaxy on June 15, 2024.

Capable of playing as a striker or a winger, Afrifa began his professional journey on the heels of a phenomenal campaign in 2022 that yielded a team-high 10 goals, four assists and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American honors. He guided the Panthers to the 2022 American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and was named the AAC Championship Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Afrifa ended his senior season as a 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and a member of the USC All-East Region Team.

As a freshman, Afrifa tallied three goals and three assists, and added two goals and an assist during his COVID-shortened sophomore year. As a junior, Afrifa helped FIU make its first of two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances with a team-best eight goals and three assists. Afrifa competed for USL League Two side One Knoxville SC in 2022, scoring 10 goals and leading the club to a first-place finish in the South Central Division and a run to the national quarterfinals.

PROFESSIONAL

2024: Enjoyed a breakout season in his sophomore campaign with Sporting KC, tallying six goals and three assists across 30 appearances in all competitions. MLS Regular Season: Started nine of 24 appearances, tallying four goals and one assist. Scored his first MLS goal off the bench in the club's 4-2 road loss to the LA Galaxy on June 15 and tallied again four days later in the 4-3 home defeat to Real Salt Lake on June 19. Completed a productive June with a goal in the 2-0 home victory over Austin FC on June 29. Added his first MLS assist in the 3-0 home victory over Orlando City SC on Aug. 24 before scoring his final goal of the regular season in the 3-1 road loss at St. Louis on Sept. 28. Open Cup: Started one of three appearances in the club's run to the Open Cup Final, tallying a goal and an assist - both coming in the club's 4-0 home victory over FC Tulsa in the Round of 16 on May 21 where he scored his first-ever goal for Sporting just prior to halftime before adding an assist in the second half. Leagues Cup: Started two of three appearances in the Leagues Cup, recording a goal and an assist. Set up William Agada's game-winner in the 2-1 home victory over Chicago Fire FC on July 28 before scoring a brilliant goal from distance in the 2-1 home loss to Toluca on Aug. 5. MLS NEXT Pro: Started two matches for SKC II early in the season, logging 106 minutes.

2023: Made four appearances across all competitions during his shortened rookie season, having joined the club in late April. MLS Regular Season: Started one of three appearances. Made his debut in the 1-1 draw at LAFC on May 17 before earning a start in the 2-1 setback at Austin FC on July 15. MLS Cup Playoffs: Did not feature. Open Cup: Made one start, playing the opening 45 minutes in the 1-0 elimination against Houston in the Round of 32. Leagues Cup: Did not feature. MLS NEXT Pro: Started five of eight appearances for Sporting KC II, scoring his first professional goal in the 7-1 rout of Vancouver Whitecaps 2 on July 2.

COLLEGE

Afrifa graduated from college following a phenomenal senior campaign in 2022 that yielded a team-high 10 goals, four assists and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American honors. He guided the Panthers to the 2022 American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and was named the AAC Championship Most Outstanding Offensive Player, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 semifinal win over Memphis on Nov. 10. Florida International reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the first time since 2003 by edging New Hampshire 10-9 on penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw, with Afrifa notching an assist in the wild second-round battle. Afrifa ended his senior season as a 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and a member of the United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Team.

He made an instant impact as a freshman, tallying three goals and three assists, and added two goals and an assist during his COVID-shortened sophomore year in the spring of 2021. As a junior, Afrifa helped Florida International make its first of two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances by scoring a team-best eight goals and recording three assists. He was a member of the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region First Team and an All-Conference USA First Team honoree, notably scoring in FIU’s 4-1 upset win over top-ranked Marshall in the 2021 regular season finale.

Afrifa competed for USL League Two side One Knoxville SC in 2022, scoring 10 goals and leading the first-year club to a first-place finish in the South Central Division and a run to the national quarterfinals.

YOUTH

A native of Toronto, Afrifa played club soccer for Woodbridge SC Strikers in League1 Ontario.

INTERNATIONAL

Afrifa has two caps for the Canadian National Team, receiving his first call-up in September of 2024 for a pair of friendlies against the USMNT and Mexico. Afrifa made his international debut as a late substitute in a 2-1 victory over the USMNT at Children's Mercy Park on Sept. 7 before earning his second cap against Mexico on Sept. 10. Afrifa was later called in to Canada's Training Hub in Toronto in early November 2024.