El Mahdi Youssoufi

El Mahdi Youssoufi (born September 18, 1998) is a Moroccan football player who plays for New York City FC II in the MLS Next Pro.

El Mahdi Youssoufi
Personal information
Full name El Mahdi Youssoufi
Date of birth (1998-09-18) September 18, 1998
Place of birth Tangier, Morocco
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 New York City FC II
Number 36
Youth career
Mohammed VI Football Academy
FUS Rabat
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2022 St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers 39 (21)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021 Toledo Villa 3 (0)
2022– New York City FC II 16 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 20, 2022

Playing career

Youth

In his childhood, El Mahdi Youssoufi passed through and graduated from the Mohammed VI Football Academy. At both under-15 and under-19 level he finished the season as the team's top scorer while also winning the league.[1] After leaving them, he signed for Moroccan top tier side FUS Rabat.[1]

College & amateur

In 2019 Youssoufi applied for the Second Chance program, in which young Moroccans are able to study in an American university on a joint footballing and academic course;[1] he would pick a degree in Management at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.[2] He would study there for three years before graduating; in that time he would play 39 games, scoring 21 goals.[2]

While at college, Youssoufi also appeared in the USL League Two with Toledo Villa, making three appearances in 2021.[3]

Senior

After graduation, El Mahdi Youssoufi was selected for the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. He was selected by MLS Cup holders New York City FC as the 84th pick in the third round. By being selected he became the first Second Chance player to join an American club[1] and the first player from St. Francis College to be selected in the SuperDraft.[4] He would ultimately sign for their MLS Next Pro side, New York City FC II, being announced on March 24 as one of their players for their inaugural season.[5]

His competitive debut came as a substitute in a 7–0 defeat of Inter Miami II on April 16, 2022 [6] and his first start would come two weeks later, in a loss to Philadelphia Union II.[7] His first goal came on May 8, the final goal in a 4–1 win over Toronto FC II.[8]

Career statistics
As of match played September 20, 2022.[9]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
New York City FC II 2022 MLS Next Pro 162——162
Career total 1620000162
  1. Includes the US Open Cup

References
  1. "the fabulous destiny of El Mahdi Youssoufi". lookcharms.com. February 26, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  2. "10 El Mahdi Youssoufi". St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers. 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  3. "Toledo Villa FC | uslleaguetwo.com". www.uslleaguetwo.com. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  4. "The champs got a great one! El Mahdi Youssoufi is the first player in @SFBKTerriers history to be selected in the @MLS #SuperDraft". St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers. January 12, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  5. "New York City Football Club Announces Players Signed to NYCFC II Contracts for the Newly Formed MLS NEXT Pro". New York City FC. March 24, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  6. "NYCFC II 7:0 Inter Miami II". MLS Next Pro. April 16, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  7. "Philadelphia Union II 2:1 NYCFC II". MLS Next Pro. April 30, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  8. "NYCFC II 4:1 TFC II". MLS Next Pro. May 8, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  9. "E. Youssoufi". Soccerway. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
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