Kalil ElMedkhar

Kalil ElMedkhar

Personal information
Full name	Kalil ElMedkhar
Date of birth	(1999-08-18) August 18, 1999 (age 24)
Place of birth	Middletown, Delaware, United States
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) [1]
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Loudoun United
Number	10
Youth career
2013–2017	Philadelphia Union
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2019	Kentucky Wildcats	66	(20)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2019	Reading United	17	(4)
2021–2022	FC Dallas	11	(0)
2021–2022	→ North Texas SC (loan)	13	(4)
2023–	Loudoun United	28	(8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 18, 2023

Kalil ElMedkhar (born August 18, 1999) is a Syrian American soccer player who plays for Loudoun United FC in the USL Championship.

Playing career

Youth

ElMedkhar joined the Philadelphia Union YSC Academy in 2013, where he played for five years. ^[2]

College and amateur

In 2017, ElMedkhar attended the University of Kentucky to play college soccer. In four seasons with the Wildcats, ElMedkhar made 66 appearances, scoring 20 goals and tallying 21 assists. Accolades earned during his time in college saw ElMedkhar named to United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region First Team and All-C-USA First Team in 2018 and 2019, as well as to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2019. Prior to the start of his junior year season, ElMedkhar was also named C-USA Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year, to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and the C-USA Preseason Team. ^[3]

ElMedkhar also appeared for USL League Two side Reading United AC in both 2018 and 2019, making 22 appearances and scoring 5 goals across the regular season and playoffs. ^{[4] [5]}

Professional

On January 14, 2021, ElMedkhar signed a two-year deal with MLS side FC Dallas after Dallas acquired his homegrown player rights from Philadelphia Union in exchange for $50,000 of General Allocation Money, with further Allocation Money dependence on ElMedkhar meeting certain performance metrics. ^[6]

He made his professional debut on May 8, 2021, starting for Dallas's USL League One affiliate side North Texas SC against Chattanooga Red Wolves in a 1–0 loss. ^[7]

Following the 2022 season, ElMedkhar's contract option was declined by Dallas. ^[8]

On January 12, 2023, ElMedkhar signed with D.C. United affiliate club Loudoun United. ^[9]

Personal

ElMedkhar was born in Delaware in the United States, but also holds Syrian citizenship as his father emigrated from Syria to study medicine at the University of Delaware. ^[10]

References

1. "Kalil ElMedkhar". FC Dallas. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
2. "Philadelphia Union". phil.ussoccerda.com.
3. "Kalil ElMedkhar - Men's Soccer". University of Kentucky Athletics. 22 August 2017.
4. "Reading United AC - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - # - Kalil El Medkhar - M". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
5. "Reading United AC | uslleaguetwo.com". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
6. "FC Dallas Signs Winger Kalil ElMedkhar | FC Dallas".
7. "North Texas SC vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC - May 8, 2021 | USLLeagueOne.com". www.uslleagueone.com.
8. Dallas, F. C. "FC Dallas Announces Roster Decisions for 2023 Season". FC Dallas.
9. "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Kalil ElMedkhar".
10. "Former Kentucky Winger Kalil ElMedkhar Looks to Make Professional Breakthrough with FC Dallas | FC Dallas".