Ben Ofeimu

Ben Ofeimu
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Ofeimu
Date of birth (2000-09-30) September 30, 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth West Bloomfield, Michigan, United States
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Indy Eleven
Number 30
Youth career
2014–2015 Vardar SC
2015–2019 Philadelphia Union
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2020 Philadelphia Union II 46 (3)
2021 Birmingham Legion 15 (0)
2022–2024 Miami FC 39 (1)
2024– Indy Eleven 30 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 19, 2024

Benjamin Ofeimu (born September 30, 2000) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for Indy Eleven in the USL Championship.

Playing career

Youth

Ofeimu appeared as an amateur player for United Soccer League side Bethlehem Steel FC during their 2018 season via the Philadelphia Union academy.[1]

Ofeimu has committed to playing college soccer at Penn State University from 2019 onward.[2]

Club

Philadelphia Union II (2018–2020)

In January 2019, Ofeimu officially signed his first professional contract with Bethlehem Steel FC, later named Philadelphia Union II, having impressed during his academy loan spells during the 2018 season.[3]

Birmingham Legion (2021)

On May 1, 2021, Ofeimu signed with USL Championship side Birmingham Legion.[4] Following the 2021 season, Birmingham declined their contract option on Ofeimu.[5]

Miami FC (2022–2024)

Ofeimu joined Miami FC on January 25, 2022.[6]

Indy Eleven (2024–present)

Ofeimu joined USL Championship club Indy Eleven on April 11, 2024, as part of a swap deal with Miami FC.[7] Ofeimu made his debut for the club in the U.S. Open Cup, starting in a 1–0 away win over MLS Next Pro side Chicago Fire FC II on April 17, 2024.[8] He made his first league appearance three days later, appearing as a substitute in the 67th minute in a 1–1 away draw with Colorado Springs Switchbacks on April 20, replacing defender Josh O'Brien.[9]

Ofeimu scored his first goal for the Eleven on May 18, in a 4–1 home victory over Hartford Athletic.[10] He scored the final goal of the game, and his second of the season, in a 3–0 home victory over Detroit City FC in the Round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup.[11] Ofeimu made 34 total appearances for the Eleven in 2024, including the team's playoff loss to Rhode Island FC and their historic participation in the semifinal of the Open Cup, defeating Major League Soccer (MLS) side Atlanta United FC in the process.[12][13][14] On November 20, 2024, the club confirmed Ofeimu would remain with them for a second season.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Ben Ofeimu | Bethlehem Steel Player Stats". Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  2. ^ Matthew Ralph (19 May 2018). "Union Academy defender Ben Ofeimu verbally commits to Penn State". Brotherly Game. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Bethlehem Steel FC signs defender Ben Ofeimu". Philadelphia Union. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Legion FC Signs Defender Benjamin Ofeimu". 30 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Legion FC Announces Year-End Roster Updates". December 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  6. ^ "Center-back Benjamin Ofeimu Joins Miami FC for 2022 Season". MiamiFC.com. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Indy Eleven Announces Acquisition of Ofeimu, Mines from Miami FC". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  8. ^ "Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Recap – CHI 0:1 IND". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  9. ^ "Recap – COS 1:1 IND". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  10. ^ "Recap - IND 4:1 HFD". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  11. ^ "Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Recap – IND 3:0 DET". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  12. ^ "Rhode Island 3-2 Indy XI (Nov 3, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  13. ^ "Kansas City 2-0 Indy XI (Aug 27, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  14. ^ "Cinderella Semifinalists Indy Eleven Make Open Cup Lemonade in Turbulent 2024". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  15. ^ "Indy Eleven Announces Returnees for 2025". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 2024-11-21.


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