Johnny Menyongar

Johnny Menyongar

Personal information
Date of birth	(1980-06-26) 26 June 1980
Place of birth	Monrovia, Liberia
Height	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Bengaluru FC
Number	10
Youth career
1998	Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2000–2005	Minnesota Thunder	188	(56)
2006–2009	Rochester Rhinos	106	(28)
2010	NSC Minnesota Stars	20	(1)
2011	United Sikkim	13	(13)
2011–2013	Shillong Lajong	15	(4)
2013	→ Dempo (loan)	8	(1)
2013–	Bengaluru FC	15	(2)
National team‡
2000–2006	Liberia	25	(5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 December 2013. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 July 2006

Johnny Menyongar (born 26 June 1980) is a Liberian footballer currently playing for Bengaluru FC in India's I-League.

Career

College

Menyongar came to the United States from his native Liberia in 1998 and played college soccer at NAIA Lindsey Wilson College, leading the team to the NAIA Division III national championship.

United States

Menyongar signed his first professional contract in 2000 with Minnesota Thunder after impressing at a tryout camp. Menyongar spent the first six seasons of his professional career with Minnesota, totaling 50 regular-season goals in addition to many playoff and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tallies. He helped the Thunder to the 2003 A-League championship game and scored five goals as Minnesota reached the semifinals of the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

In November 2005, Menyongar signed with the Rochester Raging Rhinos, where he was chosen as team MVP in 2008 and 2009. Prior to the 2010 season, he became the first signing for the new club NSC Minnesota Stars.

India

In February 2011, Menyongar was recruited by Baichung Bhutia to play for United Sikkim FC in their inaugural professional season and in the 2011 I-League 2nd Division he scored 13 goals in 13 games. In June 2011 he announced that he would move to Shillong Lajong F.C. in the I-League.

Then on 3 January 2013 it was officially announced that Menyongar had signed for reigning I-League champions Dempo S.C. for the rest of the season.^[1] He made his debut for the club against United Sikkim F.C. on 19 January 2013 at home in which Dempo won 7–0.^[2]

Bengaluru FC

On 13 July 2013 it was confirmed that Menyongar had signed for new direct-entry I-League side Bengaluru FC for the 2013–14 season.^[3] He made his debut for the team in the teams very first ever official match against Mohun Bagan in the I-League on 22 September 2013 at the Bangalore Football Stadium.^[4] He played the full match as Bengaluru FC drew the game 1–1. He then scored his first goal for the club on 26 November 2013 against Salgaocar at the Duler Stadium in which his 21st minute strike set Bengaluru FC up for a 2–1 victory – their first away victory in team history.^[5]

Soon after he scored his second goal of the season on 11 December 2013 in the I-League against Mohammedan in which his 21st minute strike gave Bengaluru FC the early 1–0 lead which would eventually turn into a 3–2 victory.^[6]

International

Menyongar made his international debut with Liberia in 1995. Menyongar has played in two qualifying matches for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and played in two matches at the 2002 African Nations Cup. Menyongar played four matches during the team's qualifying campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but the team lost 0–2 against Senegal. He also captained the team from 2004–2006. On official Liberian rosters, he is listed as John Menyongai.

References

External links

• Rochester Rhinos bio
• Liberiansoccer.com profile
• Soccerway profile

v t e Liberia squad – 2002 African Cup of Nations 1 Crayton 2 Johnson 3 Dixon 4 Kpoto 5 D. Sebwe 6 K. Sebwe 7 Seator 8 Johnson 9 Roberts 10 Debbah 11 Sarr Jr 12 Makor 13 Brown 14 Weah 15 Daye 16 Jackson 17 Gebro 18 Yenay 19 Menyongar 20 Dixon 21 Kojo 22 Bestman Coach: Vava