Mataeo Bunbury Explained

Mataeo Bunbury
Fullname:Mataeo Chandler Razario Bunbury[1]
Birth Date:13 June 2005
Birth Place:Northfield, Minnesota, United States
Height:1.80 m
Currentclub:Portland Timbers 2
Clubnumber:47
Position:Forward
Youthyears1:2008–2016
Youthclubs1:Lakeville SC
Youthyears2:2016–2019
Youthclubs2:Sporting CP
Youthyears3:2019
Youthclubs3:Minneapolis United SC
Youthyears4:2019–2020
Youthclubs4:Minnesota United FC
Youthyears5:2020–2021
Youthclubs5:Sporting Kansas City
Years1:2021–2022
Clubs1:Sporting Kansas City II
Caps1:17
Goals1:4
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:Birmingham Legion
Caps2:13
Goals2:1
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Columbus Crew 2 (loan)
Caps3:18
Goals3:4
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Portland Timbers 2
Caps4:14
Goals4:2
Nationalyears1:2022–2024
Nationalteam1:Canada U20
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:1
Club-Update:July 14, 2024
Ntupdate:July 26, 2024

Mataeo Chandler Razario Bunbury (born June 13, 2005) is a professional soccer player who currently plays for MLS Next Pro side Portland Timbers 2. Born in the United States, he represents Canada at youth international level.

Early life

Bunbury began playing soccer at age three with Lakeville SC. In 2016, he joined the Sporting CP Youth Academy in Portugal.[2] Later, he played for Minneapolis United SC, before joining the Minnesota United academy, leaving the club in 2020 when the academy ceased operating.[3] Afterwards, he joined the Sporting Kansas City academy, playing for the club's Under-17 and Under-19 age groups.[4] He became the third member of his family to join the organization, after his father Alex and older brother Teal previously played for the MLS side.[5]

Club career

On September 22, 2021, Bunbury signed a USL academy contract with USL Championship side Sporting Kansas City II, allowing him to retain his NCAA eligibility. He made his professional debut on September 24, 2021, appearing as an 85th-minute substitute during a 1–1 draw with FC Tulsa.[6] After SKC II's move to MLS Next Pro for 2022, he signed another non-professional academy contract,[5] Bunbury scored his first professional goal on April 3, 2022, against Minnesota United 2.[7] [8] In July 2022, Bunbury had departed Sporting Kansas City, after requesting a first-team contract, but being deemed unready by senior team coach Peter Vermes.[9] [10]

Bunbury signed with USL Championship club Birmingham Legion FC on July 8, 2022.[11] He made his debut the next day in a substitute appearance against the Charleston Battery.[12] He scored his first goal on July 27, scoring a penalty kick against Loudoun United.[13] Bunbury would make a return to MLS Next Pro on April 7, 2023, joining Columbus Crew 2 on loan.[14]

International career

Bunbury is eligible for both the United States and Canada.

In March 2019, he attended a camp with the United States U14 team.[15]

In April 2022, Bunbury accepted a call-up to the Canadian Under-20 side for two friendly matches against Costa Rica.[16] In July 2024, he was named to the 21-man squad for the 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.[17]

Personal

Mataeo is the son of former professional soccer player Alex Bunbury and the younger brother of fellow professional soccer player Teal Bunbury and actress Kylie Bunbury.[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022 CONCACAF U20 Championship Preliminary Squads. CONCACAF.
  2. Web site: Mataeo Bunbury age 10 has been accepted into the Sporting Lisbon 2005 Academy team. May 25, 2016. Facebook. 442 Sports Management.
  3. Web site: The True Peril of Cutting Costs at Minnesota United FC. Bridget. McDowell. Switch the Pitch. July 9, 2020.
  4. Web site: Sporting Kansas City II signs 16-year-old Academy forward Mataeo Bunbury to Academy contract. Patrik. Bergabo. Sporting Kansas City. September 22, 2021.
  5. Web site: Sporting KC II signs seven Academy products to MLS NEXT Pro amateur contracts ahead of 2022 season. Sam. Kovzan. March 25, 2022. Sporting Kansas City.
  6. Web site: Recap: Kayden Pierre scores first professional goal as Sporting II draws 1-1 with FC Tulsa. Patrik. Bergabo. September 24, 2021. Sporting Kansas City.
  7. Web site: Recap: Sporting Kansas City II claims 2-0 victory over MNUFC 2 at Allianz Field. Jared. Belzer. April 3, 2022. Sporting Kansas City.
  8. Web site: MNUFC2 loses its home opener to Sporting Kansas City II 2-0 at snowy Allianz Field. April 3, 2022. Star Tribune.
  9. Web site: Mataeo Bunbury Parts Ways with Sporting Kansas City. Chad. Smith. July 4, 2022. The Blue Testament.
  10. Web site: Could The CPL Be A Good Fit For Mataeo Bunbury?. July 4, 2022. John. Jacques. Northern Tribune.
  11. Web site: Humphries . Clayton . Legion FC Signs Forward Mataeo Bunbury . . 8 July 2022.
  12. Web site: Player Ratings: Charleston Battery 0-3 Birmingham Legion. July 11, 2022. John. Fuller. The Football Forge.
  13. Web site: Match Recap: Three for Lapa, Six for Legion in Resounding Win. Birmingham Legion.
  14. Web site: Mataeo Bunbury Joins Columbus Crew 2 on Season-Long Loan. Clayton. Humphries. Birmingham Legion.
  15. Web site: MU's Mataeo Bunbury named to the U14 US National Team camp roster. Minneapolis United. March 13, 2019.
  16. Web site: Sporting KC II forward Mataeo Bunbury to join Canada U-20s for first Youth National Team Camp in over two years. Jared. Belzer. April 5, 2022. Sporting Kansas City.
  17. Web site: CANM20 squad announced for 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. July 11, 2024. Canadian Soccer Association.
  18. Web site: Bunbury gets wish to contribute to soccer in Canada. November 7, 2018. RonFanfair. Ron. Fanfair.