Darnell King (born September 23, 1990) is an American former professional soccer player and current assistant coach of Phoenix Rising FC in the USL Championship.

Darnell King
King playing for Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2017
Personal information
Full name Darnell King
Date of birth (1990-09-23) September 23, 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Tampa, Florida, United States
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Winger, Full back
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Florida Atlantic Owls 62 (17)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010 Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy 3 (0)
2012–2014 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 75 (6)
2015–2017 Tampa Bay Rowdies 81 (1)
2018 San Antonio FC 32 (2)
2019 Nashville SC 21 (0)
2020–2023 Phoenix Rising 97 (4)
Managerial career
2024– Phoenix Rising (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of January 4, 2024

Career

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King played in forward for Tampa's Gaither High School, setting a school record with 71 points in a season. In 2008, his senior year, King was named to the All-Hillsborough County team.

From 2008 to 2011, King played as a forward for the Florida Atlantic Owls. King was the Owls' leading scorer during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.

King participated in the 2012 NASL Combine where he was noticed by Fort Lauderdale Strikers' coaching staff. He was invited to preseason with the Strikers, where he impressed enough to earn his first professional contract. On March 27, 2012, the Strikers announced that King had signed professional terms with the club.[1]

King made his professional debut with the Strikers as a second half sub against FC Edmonton on April 7, 2012, in the first game of the 2012 NASL season. He played 15 minutes after replacing Leopoldo Morales in the 75th minute.[2] On July 2, King started and played 90 minutes in an unfamiliar right back position, and took the throw-in that lead to the opening goal. He started at right back in the Strikers' next match against the Carolina RailHawks, and scored his first goal as a professional in the 31st minute of the 3–3 draw.[3] King ended up primarily playing right back for the Strikers and was named to the 2014 NASL Best XI as a defender.

On December 22, 2014, King returned to Tampa Bay by signing with the NASL's Tampa Bay Rowdies[4]

On February 6, 2018, King made the move to United Soccer League side San Antonio FC.[5] King earned a spot on the All-League team at the end of 2018.

King signed with Nashville SC on December 4, 2018, rejoining former Rowdies teammate Matt Pickens.[6] He then signed with Phoenix Rising FC on December 18, 2019.[7]

Following a 2023 USL Championship season that saw Phoenix win the league, King announced his retirement on January 4, 2024. He transitioned to a coaching role with Phoenix Rising.[8]

Career statistics

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Statistics accurate as of December 4, 2018

Club Season League Cup Playoffs Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2012 22 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 24 1 2
2013 26 3 1 2 0 1 28 3 2
2014 21 2 4 1 0 0 22 2 4
Tampa Bay Rowdies 2015 27 1 2 1 0 0 28 1 2
2016 30 0 2 2 0 0 32 0 2
2017 24 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 27 0 1
San Antonio FC 2018 32 2 5 3 1 0 35 3 5
Nashville SC 2019 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 182 9 17 11 1 1 3 0 0 196 10 18

References

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  1. ^ "Oops! Sorry, something went wrong | Fort Lauderdale Strikers". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  2. ^ "News | Fort Lauderdale Strikers". Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  3. ^ "Match Recap | North American Soccer League". Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  4. ^ "Rowdies NASL: Rowdies Sign Tampa Bay Native Darnell King". Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  5. ^ "King Makes Move to San Antonio". Uslsoccer.com. February 6, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  6. ^ "NASHVILLE SC ADDS ALL-LEAGUE DEFENDER DARNELL KING". NashvilleSC.com. Nashville SC. Retrieved December 4, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Darnell King Joins Phoenix Rising For 2020 Season". phxrisingfc.com. Phoenix Rising Communications. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  8. ^ Minnick, J. "Defender Darnell King to Transition into a Coaching Role with Phoenix Rising FC". PHXRisingFC.com. Phoenix Rising. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
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