Abdul Rwatubyaye

Hometown: Kigali, Rwanda
Birth date: October 23, 1996
Acquired: Acquired via a trade with Sporting Kansas City on May 8, 2019.

MLS CAREER

2019

• Rwatubyaye joined Sporting KC in February 2019 after spending the previous three seasons with Rayon Sports FC of the top-flight Rwanda Premier League.
• Has started one of two appearances (164 minutes played). Earned his Sporting and MLS debut as a substitute against the San Jose Earthquakes on April 20. Made his first start for Sporting in a 4-4 draw against the New England Revolution on April 27.

INTERNATIONAL (23 Caps / 1 Goal)

• On the international stage, Rwatubyaye has represented Rwanda at the U-17, U-20, U-23 and senior levels. He earned his first call-up to the U-17 side in 2012, shortly before competing at the 2013 Francophone Games in France. The center back then progressed to the Rwanda U-20s, captaining the team during 2015 African U-20 Championship qualifying.
• Rwatubyaye was first selected to Rwanda’s senior national team in November 2015 for a pair of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Libya. He made his Rwanda debut two weeks later at the 2015 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, helping the Wasps reach the tournament final, prior to scoring his first international goal in a 1-1 draw against Cameroon in January 2016.
• That same month, Rwatubyaye and Rwanda notched upset wins over Gabon and Ivory Coast before falling to eventual champion Congo in the 2016 African Nations Championship. Rwatubyaye started five of Rwanda’s matches during 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, notably helping the Wasps earn draws against Guinea and Central African Republic last fall.
• In 2019, Rwatubyaye started and played 90 minutes in a 3-0 loss to the Ivory Coast on March 23 as Rwanda concluded 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL

• Launched his professional career at age 16 with Isonga FC in 2013.
• A strong showing with Isonga FC prompted his return to his hometown club APR FC, where he won two consecutive Rwanda Premier League titles as a regular starter along the backline.
• Rwatubyaye tallied three goals and an assist in 21 games during the 2014-15 campaign, which culminated in a league championship and a berth in the 2016 CAF Champions League, the premier club competition involving Africa’s best teams. He made an emphatic impact in the tournament’s preliminary round, scoring a hat-trick of headed goals in APR’s 4-1 second-leg victory over Mbabane Swallows to secure a 4-2 aggregate win.
• After leading APR to another league title in 2015-16, Rwatubyaye sealed a move to crosstown rival Rayon Sports. In his first season with the team, he scored four goals in 22 matches and lifted his third straight Premier League trophy. Rayon Sports finished 12 points clear at the top of the 2016-17 standings with just 20 goals allowed in 30 fixtures.
• The following season, Rwatubyaye and Rayon Sports performed admirably in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup, Africa’s secondary club competition. The team navigated a two-legged play-in round and finished second in the group stage to reach the tournament’s quarterfinals for the first time in club history.