Olufolasade Adamolekun Explained

Olufolasade Adamolekun
Fullname:Olufolasade Ayomide Danielle Adamolekun[1]
Birth Date:21 February 2001
Birth Place:Austin, Texas, United States[2]
Height:1.73 m
Position:Forward, midfielder
Currentclub:Heart of Midlothian
Clubnumber:16
Collegeyears1:2019–2022
College1:USC Trojans
Collegecaps1:18
Collegegoals1:0
Youthclubs1:Lonestar SC
Years1:2023–
Clubs1:Heart of Midlothian
Caps1:31
Goals1:7
Nationalyears1:2014
Nationalteam1:United States U14
Nationalyears2:2017
Nationalteam2:Jamaica U17
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:4
Nationalyears3:2018
Nationalteam3:Jamaica U20
Nationalcaps3:6
Nationalgoals3:3
Nationalyears4:2019–
Nationalteam4:Jamaica
Nationalcaps4:19
Nationalgoals4:1
Club-Update:13:45, 12 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:16:50, 13 August 2022 (UTC)

Olufolasade "Sade" Ayomide Danielle Adamolekun (born 21 February 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or a midfielder for Heart of Midlothian. Born in the United States, she represents Jamaica internationally.

She previously played for USC Trojans.

Early life

Born in Austin, Texas to a Yoruba Nigerian father Lanre Adamolekun and Jamaican mother Michelle Adamolekun, Olufolasade was raised with her older brother Nathaniel.[2]

In 2016, Adamolekun was the recipient of the UIL Girls Soccer All District 14-6A Award as a freshman at Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas.[3] As a sophomore at Fleming Island High School she earned the All-First Coast 1st Team Award in 2017 after scoring 22 goals.[4] In 2017 and 2018, Adamolekun was the recipient of the United Soccer Coaches Youth Girls All-South Region Award.[5] [6] She was also recognized and named to the US Development Academy's U16/U17 East Conference Best XI in the inaugural season of the Girls program in 2018.[7]

University of Southern California (2019–2022)

Adamolekun accepted a soccer scholarship and started her collegiate career with the University of Southern California in August 2019.[8] Despite continued absences due to the Jamaica women's national football team call-ups and commitments throughout her freshman year, Adamolekun earned the PAC-12 Conference honor of being selected to the "All Freshman Team" for the 2019 collegiate season.[9]

Club career

Santa Clara Blue Heat FC

Adamolekun was a member of the 2021 United Women's Soccer National Championship Santa Clarita Blue Heat team, contributing a goal and an assist in their 5–0 defeat of Connecticut Fusion FC.[10]

Hearts

In August 2023, Adamolekun joined Scottish Women's Premier League side Heart of Midlothian on a one-year-contract, with the option of a one-year extension.[11]

International career

Youth National Teams

In March 2014, at the age of 13, Adamolekun attended the United States ID2 National Training camp in Portland, OR. The camp was used as an evaluation for future US national team training camps. Adamolekun was then called into the U-14 US National Team in June, August and October 2014.[12] [13] In April 2014, she attended the U-15 US National Team camps held at the US Soccer National Training Center in Carson, California.[14] At the age of 14, Adamolekun attended the U-17 US Women's National Team camp from June 15, – 22, 2014 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California.[15] In March, September and November 2015, Adamolekun attended the U15 US. National Team camps.[16] [17] [18] [19] [20] Adamolekun was later called into the U-18 U.S. Women's National Team camp in Bradenton, Florida from October 6–13, 2018.

Adamolekun accepted the Jamaica U-17 call-up to participate in the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship qualification from October 16–22, 2017 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.[21] Adamolekun earned the top goal scorer accolades of the tournament, notching 4 goals in 3 games in qualification.

At the age of 16, Adamolekun was named to the Jamaica U-20 roster for the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship qualification in Basseterre, St. Kitts.[22] In the first match, Adamolekun scored the lone goal to give Jamaica a 1–0 win against the Dominican Republic.[23] Jamaica secured a berth to the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship on the strength of a first-place finish in the final round of the Caribbean qualifying. Adamolekun ended the qualification tournament with two goals in three matches.

Adamolekun was named to the Jamaica 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship roster in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago.[24] [25] Adamolekun scored a goal in Jamaica's 2–2 tie against Nicaragua,[26] and was credited with the well taken free kick that put Jamaica on level ground against the United States.[27] [28]

At the young age of 17, Adamolekun first appeared for the senior Jamaica women's national team on 28 October 2018, netting a brace in a 3–0 friendly win against Nottingham Forest Ladies.[29] Note this appearance does not qualify as an international cap nor do the goals count toward her senior international goal tally since the match was played against a club and not a senior national team.

Following the historic FIFA Women's World Cup qualification by the Jamaica women's national football team, Adamolekun was named to its 2019 World Cup training camp roster in January 2019.[30] [31] She received her next call up for the second 2019 World Cup preparation camp in Jamaica,[32] and made her official senior international debut as a substitute in the 1–0 friendly win against Chile on February 28, 2019. She also featured as a substitute in Jamaica's 3–2 friendly win against Chile on March 3, 2019.

Adamolekun was call-up for Jamaica's third 2019 World Cup Preparation camp held in Durban, South Africa in April 2019, where she featured as a substitute in Jamaica's 1–1 tie against South Africa South Africa on April 7, 2019.[33]

Adamolekun was called up for Jamaica's fourth 2019 World Cup Preparation camp in Kingston, Jamaica in May 2019 and featured in the starting line-up and was credited with one assist in Jamaica's 3–1 friendly win against Panama on May 19, 2019.

At the age of 18 years old and prior to graduating High School, Adamolekun was named as one of the 23 players selected by the Jamaica women's national football team for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup squads.[34]

On May 24, 2019, the Jamaica women's national football team played their final game in Miramar, Florida in the Reggae Girlz Foundation World Cup Send Off Celebration, before departing for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. Adamolekun scored a goal in the Jamaica's 2–1 friendly win against club side FC Surge.[35] Note this appearance does not qualify as an international cap nor dos the goal count toward her senior international goal tally since the match was played against a club and not a senior national team.

2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

Adamolekun was a member of the 23 player Jamaica women's national football team that made history as the first Caribbean team to participate in a FIFA Women's World Cup.[36] Adamolekun was one the youngest players on the Jamaica women's national football team and was recognized as one of the top 10 teenagers to watch [37] at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. At the age of 18, she made her debut in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup for the Jamaica women's national football team starting XI [38] against Italy in Reims, France on June 14, 2019.

2019 Pan American Games

Adamolekun was one of the 18 players selected for the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, where she was featured in the starting XI and was credited with assist in Jamaica's 1–0 win against Peru on August 6, 2019.

2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship

Adamolekun was one of the 20 players selected for the 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship in Edinberg, Texas, where she was featured in the starting XI against Mexico and St. Kitts & Nevis and was credited with one assist [39] in Jamaica's 7–0 win against St. Kitts & Nevis on February 4, 2020.

2021 WNT Summer Series

Adamolekun was one of the 23 players selected for the Jamaica women's national football team (aka Senior Reggae Girlz) 2021 WNT Summer Series tournament from June 10–16, 2021 [40] in Houston, Texas,[41] where Adamolekun was featured in the games against Costa Rica and the USA.

2022 CONCACAF Women's Championship Qualifications

Adamolekun was one of the 23 players selected for the Jamaica women's national football team (aka Senior Reggae Girlz) 2022 CONCACAF W Championship qualification tournament from February 16 – April 12, 2022. Adamolekun was featured in the tournament games against Grenada, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Adamolekun was credit with an assist in the Reggae Girlz 9–0 win over the Cayman Islands.[42]

2022 CONCACAF Women's Championship

Adamolekun was one of the 23 players selected for the 2022 CONCACAF Women's Championship tournament from July 4–18, 2022 in Monterrey, Mexico,[43] and a member of the Jamaica women's national football team that won their second consecutive CONCACAF W Championships Bronze Medal to achieve their second consecutive qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Adamolekun was featured in the 2022 CONCACAF Women's Championships tournament games against Canada and Haiti.

2023 Central American and Caribbean Games

Adamolekun was one of the 20 players selected for the Jamaica women's national football team (aka Senior Reggae Girlz) 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games tournament in San Salvador, El Salvador from June 23 – July 8, 2023.[44] Adamolekun was featured in all three Group B games against El Salvador, Puerto Rico and Mexico, Adamolekun was attributed with scoring a goal in the Reggae Girlz game against Mexico.

Career statistics

International goals

Personal life

Adamolekun was born in the United States to a Nigerian Yoruba father and a Jamaican mother.[45] Her brother Nathaniel Adamolekun is also a footballer.[2] She attended Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas for her Freshman year before relocating to Florida, where she graduated from Fleming Island High School in Florida.[46] [47]

Other work

Leadership

Adamolekun has been a member of the Jack and Jill of America organization in Austin, Texas and Jacksonville, Florida from the age 2 – 18 years old, where she volunteered countless hours in support of educational, cultural, civic, health, recreational and social programs.[48]

In 2020, during the social unrest across the United States, Adamolekun co-founded the United Black Student Athletes Association (UBSAA) at the University of Southern California (USC) in partnership with the USC Administration to encourage her peers to utilize their platform as student-athletes to make a positive impact and help bridge any gaps at the University of Southern California and within their communities.[49]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ List of Players – Jamaica . . 27 May 2019 . 12 . 27 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190708190751/https://tournament.fifadata.com/documents/FWWC/2019/pdf/FWWC_2019_SQUADLISTS.PDF . 8 July 2019 . dead .
  2. Web site: Adamolekun sticking to her Jamaican roots. October 18, 2017. March 1, 2019. Jamaica Observer.
  3. Web site: University Interscholastic League . Orgs - The Athletics Department .com . www.theathleticsdepartment.com . March 19, 2019.
  4. Web site: Freeman . Clayton . All-First Coast Girls Soccer 2017: Spartans' Newton headlines deep area squad . The Florida Times-Union . March 9, 2019 . en.
  5. Web site: United Soccer Coaches . 2017 United Soccer Coaches Youth Girls All-South Region . unitedsoccercoaches.org . March 12, 2019.
  6. Web site: United Soccer Coaches . 2018 United Soccer Coaches Youth Girls All-South Region . unitedsoccercoaches.org . March 9, 2019.
  7. Web site: US Soccer . USSF announces Girls DA 2017–18 awards Club Soccer Youth Soccer . TopDrawerSoccer.com . March 9, 2019 . en.
  8. Web site: USC Women's Soccer announces Top 3 Recruiting Class . USCTrojans.com . June 21, 2019.
  9. Web site: Pac-12 announces Women's Soccer All-Conference Honors . Pac-12.com . November 13, 2019.
  10. Web site: RECAP: SC Blue Heat wins UWS 2021 National Title . UWSSoccer.com . July 25, 2021.
  11. News: Dawson . Jack . 3 August 2023 . Jamaican international becomes Hearts latest signing . 10 April 2024 . Edinburgh Evening News.
  12. Web site: U.S. Soccer . U.S. U14 GNT Comes Together for Second Camp Club Soccer Youth Soccer . TopDrawerSoccer.com . March 9, 2019 . en.
  13. Web site: U.S. Soccer . U-14 GNT Assembles for Final 2014 Camp . www.ussoccer.com . en.
  14. Web site: U.S. Soccer . Snow Starts New Cycle with U-15 Girls National Team . www.ussoccer.com . March 9, 2019 . en.
  15. Web site: U.S. Soccer . U-17 WNT Starts New Cycle at OTC . www.ussoccer.com . March 9, 2019 . en.
  16. Web site: Soccer America . Roster: U.S. U-15 girls gather in Florida . www.socceramerica.com . 12 November 2015 . March 9, 2019 . en.
  17. Web site: U.S. Soccer . U15 GNT Heads to U.S. Soccer NTC for Camp Club Soccer Youth Soccer . TopDrawerSoccer.com . March 9, 2019 . en.
  18. Web site: U.S. Soccer . U.S. U15 GNT camp roster revealed Club Soccer Youth Soccer . TopDrawerSoccer.com . March 9, 2019 . en.
  19. Web site: U.S. Soccer . 24 players called into final U15 GNT Camp Club Soccer Youth Soccer . TopDrawerSoccer.com . March 9, 2019 . en.
  20. Web site: US Soccer . U-15 GNT Heads to U.S. Soccer NTC for Third Camp of 2015 . www.ussoccer.com . March 9, 2019 . en.
  21. Web site: Allen . Ruddy . Positive U-17 Reggae Girlz depart for Haiti . www.jamaicaobserver.com . March 9, 2019.
  22. Web site: Loop Sports . Under-20 Reggae Girlz for training camp in Florida . www.loopjamaica.com . March 9, 2019 . en.
  23. Web site: Jamaica Observer . U-20 Girlz face Marauding Haiti . Jamaica Observer . March 9, 2019.
  24. Web site: Loop Sports . Final Roster announced for 2018 CONCACAF Women U20 Championship in TT . www.looptt.com . March 9, 2019.
  25. Web site: Soccer America . Rosters: Heavy U.S. flavor at Concacaf Under-20 Women's Championship . www.socceramerica.com . 15 January 2018 . March 9, 2019 . en.
  26. Web site: The Star . Ja U-20 Girlz bow out with draw . jamaica-star.com . 25 January 2018 . March 6, 2019 . en.
  27. Web site: Front Row Soccer . A Wild & Crazy Finish . www.frontrowsoccer.com . 22 January 2018 . March 9, 2019.
  28. Web site: Cowan . Sherdon . Brave Girlz Fall to US . Jamaica Observer . March 9, 2019.
  29. Web site: Levy . Leighton . Reggae Girlz in Nottingham a success on many levels – Andrew Price . www.sportsmax.tv . 9 March 2019 . en-gb.
  30. Web site: Parchman . Rachid . Girlz integrating well in camp . jamaica-gleaner.com . March 9, 2019 . en . 19 January 2019.
  31. News: De Souza . Ana . January Activities for ConcacafW . 14 January 2019 . Fútbol Ace . 10 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190114210741/https://www.futbolacepodcast.com/blog/january-activites-for-concacafw . 14 January 2019 . dead .
  32. Web site: RJR News . Six Uncapped Players Named In Latest Reggae Girlz Squad . RJR News . March 9, 2019.
  33. News: Williams . Sean A. . South Africa Tour to Afford Girlz Multiple Benefits – Price . 2 April 2019 . Jamaica Observer.
  34. News: Baxter . Kevin . World Cup Group C Preview . June 5, 2019 . LA Times.
  35. News: Staff Reporter . Reggae Girlz Unbeaten run continues ahead of World Cup Bow . May 24, 2019 . Guyana Chronicle.
  36. Web site: The Reggae Girlz: Jamaica's Road to the Women's World Cup . youtube.com . 4 June 2019 . Bein Sports USA.
  37. News: Stitt . Analiese . Top 10 teens to watch at the World Cup . 5 June 2019 . The Women's Game.
  38. Web site: Jamaica vs Italy . us.soccerway.com . June 14, 2019.
  39. Web site: Jamaica vs St Kitts and Nevis . us.soccerway.com . February 4, 2020.
  40. Web site: US Soccer to host the 2021 WNT Summer Series . ussoccer.com . June 16, 2021.
  41. Web site: Reggae Girlz announce Summer Series Squad . herfootballhub.com . June 5, 2021.
  42. Web site: 2022 CONCACAF W Championships: Scouting Jamaica . us.soccerway.com . April 9, 2022.
  43. Web site: 2022 CONCACAF W Championships: Scouting Jamaica . starsandstripesfc.com . July 5, 2022.
  44. Web site: Jamaica Unveils Men's and Women's Football Squads for CAC Games . sportsmax.tv . June 20, 2023.
  45. Web site: Emmanuel . Ifeanyi . 2019 WWC: Jamaica In Pole Position To Beat Nigeria, USA To Highly-Rated Striker Adamolekun:: All Nigeria Soccer – The Complete Nigerian Football Portal . www.allnigeriasoccer.com . March 9, 2019.
  46. Web site: Fleming Island's Adamolekun chases World Cup dream. Freeman. Clayton. The Florida Times-Union. en. 2019-04-23.
  47. Web site: Untold Athletes Features Reggae Girl Olufolasade Sade Adamolekun . British Linkz . June 25, 2020.
  48. Web site: Up The Hill 2019 . issuu.com . December 24, 2019.
  49. Web site: Elfman . Lois . Some Student Athletes Playing a Leading Role When It Comes to Social Justice Advocacy . 20 August 2020 . 20 August 2020 . Diverse Education.