Handwalla Bwana

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2019 (Seattle): Bwana appeared in 15 games, making six starts and totaling 567 minutes. He recorded 10 shots, including four on goal, and earned one assist. Bwana scored his lone goal of the season on in a 2-1 victory over Orlando (May 15). He came on as a substitute and played 37 minutes, finishing his lone shot attempt of the match. He scored one goal and recorded two assists while putting five of his eight shots on goal.

2018 (Seattle): Bwana marked his inaugural professional campaign with 12 appearances in MLS matches, including six starts, and even made his postseason debut as a second-half substitute in Leg Two of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Portland Timbers (November 8). Seattle’s latest Homegrown signing came off the bench against LAFC (March 4) in the MLS season opener and Chivas de Guadalajara (March 8) in CONCACAF Champions League before earning three straight regular season starts against FC Dallas (March 18), Montreal Impact (March 31) and Sporting Kansas City (April 15). He scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 road victory over Toronto FC (May 9). After missing several months due to a foot sprain, Bwana marked his return to the lineup with an assist in a 4-1 win over the Houston Dynamo (October 8) and a goal in 2-1 win at Orlando City SC (October 17). In the penalty kick shootout against Portland in the playoffs, he calmly dispatched his spot kick, waiting for the goalkeeper to commit before sliding his shot down the middle. For Sounders FC 2, he managed one assist and 10 key passes from just four USL starts.

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

In two seasons at the University of Washington, Bwana started 26 of 39 career appearances, recording 12 goals and 13 assists. The Ballard High School graduate tallied four goals (tied for team-lead) and seven assists (led team) in 2016, earning All-Pac-12 Second Team and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors. He followed that up with an impressive sophomore campaign in which he led the Huskies with both eight goals and ranked second with six assists, earning All-Pac-12 First Team and All-Far West Region First Team selections.

PERSONAL

Originally from Mombasa, Kenya, he moved with his family to a refugee camp in Kakuma in the Northwest Region of Kenya to seek a new beginning and a chance to move to the United States. Bwana moved to the states and attended Ballard High School. As a member of Seattle United, he was named to the 2015 Washington State Championships Best XI for the Under-18 Boys before making the move to Sounders FC Academy, where he played for the U-18 squad.

ACQUIRED

Signed as a Homegrown Player on January 11, 2018.