It was the moment Mouhamadou War had been waiting for.
After unsuccessful tryouts previously with Orange County SC, the Los Angeles native’s sparkling preseason performances finally earned him a contract with the USL Championship club this spring.
And when he was called on late in the second game of the season to make his debut with OCSC trailing Lexington SC, he was determined to make an impact.
In the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, he was in the right place at the right time to score his first goal for the club, earning Orange County a 2-2 draw before a packed house at Championship Soccer Stadium.
“I always wanted to play for this team, ever since I got into the U.S.,” said War “Before I came into the game, I wanted to change the game. It worked, and I’m so happy right now.”
For his impact, War is March’s Prinx Impact Sub of the Month, a new series highlighting key substitutions that have changed the course of a game for a side.
While a native of Los Angeles, War’s path in the game took an unconventional turn when his family emigrated to Japan. He competed collegiately at Komazawa University in Tokyo before signing with J2 League side Blaublitz Akita, where he made his professional debut in the Emperor’s Cup against Tochigi SC.
After returning to California, he tried to latch on with Orange County SC, but after missing out joined the LA Force, where he recorded five goals in 11 appearances in the National Independent Soccer Association in 2024.
This year, he’s part of Orange County’s plans, and ready to make an impact for the former Championship title-winner.
“I’m incredibly happy for him, proud of him,” said Orange County Head Coach Danny Stone. “For him to come on at the end of a game like that and have the impact, scoring the equalizing goal that he had, that's a moment that I'm sure he will remember and treasure for a long time.”
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