PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2017 (Columbus): Obinwa did not make an appearance for Crew SC this season. He missed the match against the Chicago Fire (March 4) after being listed as questionable due to a left thigh strain that week. While on loan with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds he made seven appearances (five starts). He made a substitute appearance in a road contest against the Charleston Battery (April 8). Obinwa then started in a home contest against Saint Louis FC (April 12), a road contest against the Richmond Kickers (April 22), a home contest against the Harrisburg City Islanders (April 29) and a home contest against Toronto FC II (May 5). Obinwa made a substitute appearance in a road contest against the Harrisburg City Islanders (May 24). He started in a road contest against New York Red Bulls II (September 30). Obinwa made his debut for Crew SC in an international friendly match at home against Eintracht Frankfurt (July 14), coming into the match as a substitute. Obinwa did not make an appearance in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
2015-2016 (Hannover 96): Obinwa remained with Hannover 96 Under-19, making three appearances as a defensive midfielder. He made his first appearance of the season as a substitute in an away match against Werder Bremen U-19 (September 12). His second appearance came in a draw at home against Energie Cottbus U-19 (February 20). He came on as a substitute in the return leg against Werder Bremen U-19 (February 27).
2014-2015 (Hannover 96): Obinwa turned professional by signing with German side Hannover 96 on July 1, 2014. He spent the season with Hannover 96 U-19 in the Under-19 Bundesliga North/Northeast, where he made his first appearance as a substitute in a 3-0 victory against Hertha BSC U-19 (March 15). He made two more appearances in a 3-1 win against Hamburg U-19 (April 12) and a 3-1 victory against Holstein Kiel U-19 (April 26).
YOUTH EXPERIENCE
Obinwa spent some time with Chicago Magic PSG, an affiliate club of French side Paris St. Germain. He was invited to train with Paris Saint-Germain’s academy, even starting in some matches. In 2013, Obinwa traveled with the adidas International Training Program for a friendly match against the Real Madrid youth academy. That same year he was named the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s U-15/16 Central Conference Player of the Year. He has earned multiple call-ups to U.S. Soccer’s youth national teams.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
As of December 21, 2016
Obinwa has represented the United States of America at the youth level on multiple occasions. He was named to the 36-player roster for the U-15 September training camp (September 2012). Obinwa was part of the group of 24 players who were called up for the U-18 training camp by head coach Javier Perez. He was named to the U-18 roster that participated in the 20th Lisbon international Tournament in Portugal (June 2014). Obinwa made three appearances (one start) in the tournament. He was called up by Tab Ramos to be a member of the U-20 23-player roster that participated in the 2015 Stevan Vilotic-Cele Tournament in Serbia. Obinwa made two appearances (one start) at the tournament.
Obinwa was signed by Columbus Crew SC on January 25, 2017.
Real Name: Abuchi Obinwa
Pronunciation: ah-BOO-chi oh-BIN-wah
Position: Midfielder
HT: 6’1” WT: 170
Born: January 15, 1997 in Columbus, OH
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Citizenship: United States/Nigerian
Acquired: Signed by Crew SC on on January 25, 2017.
Previous Experience: Hannover 96 (2015-2016)
PERSONAL
Obinwa is the son of Stella and Nathaniel. He has three siblings: one younger sister, an older brother, and an older sister. Obinwa does not play any other sports besides soccer. His favorite video games are the FIFA series. Obinwa’s favorite movie is 300. His favorite food is sushi. Obinwa’s favorite place that he has been to is Dubai. He has played alongside Ben Swanson for the U.S. National Team at the youth level. His favorite soccer memory is from when he was with the Under-15 U.S. National Team at the International Marveld Tournament in Holland and played against a Real Madrid team. Obinwa started and played the entire match, which his team won. He speaks English.
