Ola Kamara

PRONUNCIATION

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2017 (Columbus): Kamara made 34 appearances (33 starts) this season, all as a forward, and scored 18 goals and recorded three assists this year. He made his season debut as a starter in the Opening Match against the Chicago Fire (March 4). Kamara scored his first goal of the season on the road against the Houston Dynamo (March 11), scoring in stoppage time (90+3’). Kamara scored his second goal of the season in a 2-0 win against D.C. United via penalty kick (March 18). He tallied his third consecutive goal of the season at home against the Portland Timbers scoring from a volley from outside the box (March 25). Kamara scored his fourth goal of the season at home against Toronto FC (April 15). He recorded his fifth goal of the season in a home match against New York City FC (April 29). Kamara scored his sixth goal and recorded his first assist of the season in a home match against the New England Revolution (May 6). Kamara scored his seventh goal of the 2017 MLS season in a road match against the New England Revolution (May 21) and was nominated for MLSSoccer.com’s AT&T Goal of the Week as a result. He scored his eighth goal of the season against Seattle Sounders FC (May 31). Kamara recorded his second assist of the season in a road match against Atlanta United FC (June 17). Kamara registered his ninth goal and third assist of the season in a home contest against the Montreal Impact (June 24). Kamara started in an international friendly match at home against Eintracht Frankfurt (July 14) and scored the game-winning goal. He scored his 10th and 11th goals in a road match against Real Salt Lake (July 29) and was selected to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week following his performance. Kamara made his 50th appearance for the club in a home match against the Chicago Fire (August 12), scoring his 12th goal in the match via penalty kick. He started in a home match against the LA Galaxy (August 23) and scored his 13th goal of the season, the game-winner. Kamara started in a home contest against FC Dallas (August 26), scoring Crew SC’s opening goal - his 30th regular-season goal since joining Crew SC - and earning a spot on MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week. He started in a home match against Sporting Kansas City (September 10), scoring his 15th goal of the 2017 MLS regular season, and a road match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (September 16), tallying his 16th strike and tying his MLS career-high for number of regular-season goals, with 16. Kamara started in a road contest against Orlando City SC (October 15), scoring the game-winning goal and setting a new MLS personal career-high of 17 goals. He started in a road match against New York City FC (October 22) and scored a goal that was nominated for MLSSoccer.com’s AT&T Goal of the Week. Kamara made five appearances (all starts) as a forward, registering one goal and one assist in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. He started in a road contest against Atlanta United FC (October 26) in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Kamara started in a home match against New York City FC (October 31) in the First Leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, registering one goal and one assist. He started in a road contest against New York City FC (November 5) in the Second Leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, in a home match against Toronto FC (November 21) in the First Leg of the Eastern Conference Championship and in a road match against Toronto FC (November 29) in the Second Leg of the Eastern Conference Championship.  

2016 (Columbus): Kamara made 25 appearances (20 starts) in his first season with Crew SC, with 24 appearances coming at forward and one at right midfield. He scored 16 goals, leading the team, and added two assists. He made his club debut by entering the match at Montreal (April 9) as a substitute at forward. He played 45 minutes during a start in the international friendly against Veracruz (May 11) and notched the match's only goal and a game-high six shots. He registered his first start in League play against Colorado (May 14).  Kamara started vs. Real Salt Lake (May 28), where he notched his first three goals as a member of Crew SC as well as the club's first regular-season hat trick since September 18, 2004. He scored his fourth goal of the season in a start at Philadelphia (June 1). He notched a game-tying goal in the 93rd minute in a start against the Red Bulls (June 25). The forward registered his sixth and seventh goals of the season at Sporting Kansas City (July 3). He scored for the fifth consecutive start in the match at New England (July 9). Kamara notched his ninth goal of the season in the match vs. D.C. United (July 16) and his 10th vs. Orlando (July 23). He recorded his first assist in a Columbus shirt as part of a 2-0 win at New England (August 20). He registered his 11th goal in a start against Vancouver (September 10). The Norwegian netted a brace and added an assist in a start at Orlando (September 17). He recorded his second consecutive brace with a two-goal effort vs. New England (September 25). He scored his 16th goal of the season at New York City FC (October 23). Kamara made one appearance in the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. He started in the Round of 16 match at Chicago (June 28).

2015 (FK Austria Wien/Molde FK): The 2015 season began with Kamara joining another Tippeligaen side on loan, Molde FK. In 29 appearances for the club, he scored 14 goals and contributed six assists. He made another four appearances in the Norwegian Cup, notching two goals and two assists. He made four appearances for Molde in UEFA Champions League qualification, scoring four goals, including a brace on July 14, 2015 against Pyunik Erevan. He also made six Europa League appearances with Molde, scoring a goal on October 22, 2015 against Celtic.

2014 (FK Austria Wien): Kamara joined FK Austria Wien and made 12 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga, scoring one goal and adding three assists to conclude the 2013-14 season. At the beginning of the 2014-15 campaign, Kamara made 11 additional appearances for Wien, registering one goal with one assist.

2013 (SV Ried/TSV 1860 München/Strømsgodset): Kamara signed with Austrian club SV Ried at the beginning of 2013, but was loaned to TSV 1860 München, where he made 10 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga to finish the 2012-13 season. He notched two assists for the German club. In five appearances with TSV 1860 München II, he scored two goals and added one assist. Following the German season, he rejoined Strømsgodset on loan, where he scored 12 goals in 14 league appearances, including two hat tricks. He helped Strømsgodset finish as Tippeligaen champions.

2012 (Strømsgodset): Kamara continued his strong form with Strømsgodset by scoring a then career-high 12 goals with four assists in 30 appearances. He recorded back-to-back hat tricks on June 24, 2012 against Rosenborg BK and June 30, 2012 against Hønefoss. He made an additional four appearances in the Norwegian Cup, including a two-goal effort in the round of 16.

2011 (Strømsgodset): The forward built on his success from the previous season to score 10 goals with three assists in 30 appearances. He started the campaign with four goals in his first four matches, including a two-goal performance on April 17, 2011 against Sarpsborg 08. He made one additional appearance in the Norwegian Cup.

2010 (Strømsgodset): Kamara experienced a breakout season in 2010, making 25 appearances for Strømsgodset, scoring seven goals with three helpers. Among his season highlights were his first professional two-goal game, on September 19, 2010 against Start, and a one-goal, two-assist performance on October 24, 2010 against his former club Hønefoss. He made two appearances in the Norwegian Cup, including a start in the final on November 14, 2010, where he scored a goal as part of a 2-0 victory.

2009 (Strømsgodset): After moving to fellow Tippeligaen side Strømsgodset ahead of the 2009 campaign, Kamara scored three goals and added one assist in 15 league appearances. He scored his first professional goal on June 21, 2009 against Tromsö.

2008 (Stabaek IF): Kamara rejoined Stabaek in 2008, where he made three Tippeligaen appearances as well as one appearance in the Norwegian Cup.

2007 (Hønefoss): The forward joined Hønefoss on loan for the 2007 campaign in the Norwegian second-tier First Division. He made a total of eight appearances for the club, where he notched his first professional assist, on June 20, 2007 against FK Mandalskameratene.

2006 (Stabaek IF): Kamara made his professional debut two weeks ahead of his 17^th birthday when he made a substitute appearance for Stabaek on October 1, 2006. He made a total of three appearances on the season in the Tippeligaen.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

As of November 13, 2017

Kamara has made eight senior National Team caps for Norway, with his debut coming on October 11, 2013 in a FIFA World Cup qualification contest against Slovenia. He has scored one goal for his country, in an international friendly on January 15, 2014 against Moldova. Prior to his senior experience, Kamara played for Norway at the youth level. His most recent senior National Team cap for Norway came in an international friendly against Macedonia on November 11, 2017.

ACQUIRED

Columbus Crew SC acquired forward Ola Kamara as a Discovery Signing on February 4, 2016. He was added to the Black & Gold’s active roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. Kamara is occupying an international roster spot.

Name: Ola Kamara (O-lah kuh-MAR-uh)
Position: Forward
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 181
Born: October 15, 1989 in Oslo, Norway
Hometown: Oslo, Norway
Citizenship: Norway
Acquired: Acquired as a Discovery Signing on February 4, 2016. He was added to the Black & Gold’s active roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. Kamara is occupying an international roster spot.
Previous Experience: Molde FK (2015), FK Austria Wien (2014-2015), Strømsgodset (2013, 2009-2012), TSV 1860 München (2013), SV Ried (2013-2014), Hønefoss (2007), Stabaek IF (2006-2008)

PERSONAL

Away from the game, Kamara enjoys skiing and spending time with his girlfriend, Sandra. The couple welcomed a newborn boy to their family last year. He has two half-sisters and one half-brother. He likes an eclectic mix of food and considers himself a foodie, including Mexican, Italian and barbeque. His favorite movie is The Dark Knight and he likes hip-hop and R&B music as well as house. His favorite soccer memory is winning gold in Norway with Strømsgodset. He looked up to Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert growing up.