Manny Motajo
Encyclopedia
Manny Motajo is a retired Nigerian soccer defender
who played professionally in the USISL, Continental Indoor Soccer League
and Major League Soccer
.
In 1987, Motajo began his career with First Bank F.C.
in the Nigeria National League
. In 1989, he entered Howard University
in the United States
. He played soccer at Howard from 1989 to 1992. In 1994, he played for the Washington Mustangs
in the USISL. He then moved to the Washington Warthogs
in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
for the 1994 and 1995 indoor seasons. Motajo caught the eye of scouts from Major League Soccer
during the league’s initial open tyrouts. This led to his selection in February 1996, by the Los Angeles Galaxy
in the 9th round (84th overall) in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft
. He played twenty games for the Galaxy in 1996, but was waived on November 8. The New England Revolution
signed Motajo on May 22, 1998. He played seventeen games for the Revolution over two seasons before being waived on June 15, 1999 to clear a roster spot for the recently signed Chaka Daley
. He also played an unknown number of games for the Nigerian U-21 national team between 1988 and 1989.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who played professionally in the USISL, Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
and Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
In 1987, Motajo began his career with First Bank F.C.
First Bank F.C.
First Bank FC is a Nigerian soccer club run by First Bank of Nigeria and based in Lagos. The bank runs clubs in various sports, including basketball.-Current squad:...
in the Nigeria National League
Nigeria National League
The Nigeria National League is the second tier of club football in Nigeria.- History :Since 1997, the league has been split into 1A for Northern teams and 1B for southern teams. The top two from each division are promoted to the Nigerian Premier League the next season...
. In 1989, he entered Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He played soccer at Howard from 1989 to 1992. In 1994, he played for the Washington Mustangs
Washington Mustangs
The Washington Mustangs were an American soccer team that played in Washington, DC in the now-defunct United States Interregional Soccer League.-Year-by-year:...
in the USISL. He then moved to the Washington Warthogs
Washington Warthogs
The Washington Warthogs were a professional indoor soccer team in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1994-1997. They played their home games in the US Airways Arena in Landover, Maryland, an arena they shared with the Washington Capitals and Washington Bullets.The Warthogs featured the...
in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
for the 1994 and 1995 indoor seasons. Motajo caught the eye of scouts from Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
during the league’s initial open tyrouts. This led to his selection in February 1996, by the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
in the 9th round (84th overall) in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft
1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft
The MLS Inaugural Player Draft, held before Major League Soccer's initial 1996 season, distributed players who had already graduated from college to the league's ten inaugural teams. The draft occurred on February 6 and 7, 1996...
. He played twenty games for the Galaxy in 1996, but was waived on November 8. The New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
signed Motajo on May 22, 1998. He played seventeen games for the Revolution over two seasons before being waived on June 15, 1999 to clear a roster spot for the recently signed Chaka Daley
Chaka Daley
Chaka K. Daley is a retired Canadian soccer player and the current head coach of the Providence College men's soccer team....
. He also played an unknown number of games for the Nigerian U-21 national team between 1988 and 1989.