Ema Boateng

PLAYER PROFILE: EMA BOATENG

By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)

Position: Midfielder
Primary Role: Left Midfielder
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 154
DOB: 1/17/1994
Nationality: Ghana
Preferred Footed: Left
Club: LA Galaxy (MLS)

No International Experience.

Signed a contract with LA Galaxy (MLS).

2011-2012: Strikers U18 (USSDA) – 10 games, 10 starts, 14 goals
2012: UC Santa Barbara (NCAA – D1) – 18 games, 16 starts, 4 goals, 4 assists, 18 shots on goal
2013: Ventura County Fusion (PDL) – 5 games, 395 minutes, 1 goals, 7 total shots
2013: Helsingborg (Swedish Allsvenskan) – 4 games, 170 minutes, 1 assist, 1 shot on target, 1 yellow
2014: Helsingborg (Swedish Allsvenskan) – 12 games, 391 minutes, 2 shots on target
2015: Helsingborg (Swedish Allsvenskan) – 21 games, 777 minutes, 4 goals, 8 shots on target, 1 yellow

Ema was of the original players to come to the United State through the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana and was showcased in the 2012 documentary “The Beautiful Game” about his traveling from Ghana to the Cate School in California. Boateng dominated youth soccer in the United States winning the Gatorade Player of the Year award and scoring 14 goals in 10 games with USSDA U-18 side Strikers FC. Boateng graduated high school early and attended UC Santa Barbara, where as a freshman he played 18 games, scoring four goals and adding four assists.

After a summer of PDL soccer with Ventura County, Boateng elected to leave school and become a professional player signing with Swedish Allsvenskan side Helsingborg. In three season with the Swedish club Ema played 37 games, mostly coming off the bench and scored four goals and added an assist. Boateng was transferred to the Galaxy in an under the radar move, but should make an impact with the 1^st team this season. LA Galaxy Head Coach/General Manager Bruce Arena said “Ema is a talented, young, attacking player who will add valuable depth to our offense.”

If Boateng can find the form he had when he was in the United States he should be an impactful player in the league for years to come. Ema has excellent speed, which saw him as a California High School 100 and 200 meters finalist. At 5’6 he has great balance and agility on the ball and had the dribbling ability either to run the wing or cut in to the center of the pitch. Where Ema has struggled as pro is his finishing ability and general strength and in some cases could be pushed out of the game and there is also issues of him being to one dimensional as a player and to be a complete pro he needs to improve his passing ability and his defensive effort.

+ Part of the Right to Play Academy
+ Played one year of USSDA soccer with Strikers FC U-18
+ Won 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year Award
+ Played one year with UC Santa Barbara in NCAA Division 1
+ Played three seasons with Helsingborgs in Swedish Allsvenskan
+ Transferred to LA Galaxy (MLS) in 2016