Michigan State University Athletics
Former Spartan Alashe Called To US U-23 National Team For Two Friendlies vs. Brazil
11/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan State men's soccer standout and Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year Finalist Fatai Alashe headlines the roster for the United States Under-23 National Team for a pair of friendlies against Brazil's U-23s in the next week. The first match between U.S. and Brazil will be played at Ilha do Retiro Stadium in Recife, Brazil on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. ET, with the second match being played at Mangueirão Stadium in Belém, Brazil on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The former Spartan Alashe just completed his first season with the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer and is one of three MLS first-year players up for the Rookie of the Year award to be announced later in November. Alashe is one of nine MLS players on the US roster. The rest of the roster includes three players based in England, three from Germany and a player each from Mexico, Belgium, Scotland and Switzerland.
Alashe has been a regular with the U-23s, competing at the 2015 Toulon Tournament in France, as well as the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship in early October.
The U.S. secured a third-place finish in the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship, which extended its quest for a berth in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The team will take on Colombia in March in a home-and-away playoff in one final qualifying opportunity.
Alashe was the fourth overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft out of Michigan State. He made his MLS debut in Week 1 at FC Dallas before recording his first career start in Week 2 at Seattle Sounders FC. The following week, Alashe scored just five minutes into his home debut, tallying the first-ever goal at Avaya Stadium, the Quakes new stadium. He also scored a goal on Sept. 12 which was on Fatai Alashe Bobblehead Day for the Quakes. Alashe made 27 starts in 28 total appearances, tallying two goals and two assists for San Jose in 2015, as the Quakes just missed the MLS Playoffs.
During his time as a Spartan, Alashe started 80 games and totaled 24 points from eight goals and eight assists. He started his award collection early as he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2011. He later became a two-year Academic All-Big Ten honoree and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2013. In 2014, he distinguished himself on the national stage, earning Big Ten All-Tournament Team and Second-Team All-American honors. He also made school history as the highest-ever draft pick from MSU.
