*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:17, 30 April 2024 (UTC)
Victor Mansaray (born February 2, 1997) is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward. Born in Sierra Leone, he has represented the United States at youth level.
Victor Mansaray was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone on February 2, 1997. During his youth, he spent time with his family in both Sierra Leone and Jamaica. He later moved to the Seattle areainWashington State. He first lived in the city of Puyallup before moving again to nearby Fife, where he attended Fife High School.[2]
Mansaray entered the Seattle Sounders Academy midway through the 2012–2013 season and appeared in 20 games, scoring 11 goals. The following season, still with the U-16's, he scored a team-high 18 goals in 24 games.
In November 2014, Mansaray signed with Seattle Sounders, making him the club's youngest ever signing at the age of 17, as well as their fourth Homegrown Player.[3] He first appeared for Sounders during a pre-season match in the Desert Diamond Cup on February 21. He was substituted in at the 66th minute and scored a goal at the 74th, but the Sounders ultimately lost to Sporting Kansas City, 2–3.[4] On March 21, 2015, he made his regular season professional debut with USL affiliate club Seattle Sounders 2 in a 4–2 victory over Sacramento Republic.[5] He made his MLS debut a week later in a 0–0 draw away to FC Dallas.[6]
On February 6, 2017, USL club FC Cincinnati announced that they had acquired Mansaray via a loan from Seattle Sounders.[7] Cincinnati coach Alan Koch played Mansaray primarily as a substitute; Mansaray started for just three of his eight league appearances, and never played a full 90 minutes.[8] On June 27, 2017, it was announced that Mansaray's loan had ended and he had returned to Seattle Sounders.[9] He was waived by the club on August 10.[10]
After spending a season with Swedish side Umeå, Mansaray signed with USL side Charleston Battery for the 2018 season on February 14, 2018.[11] Mansaray's option was declined by Charleston on November 30, 2018.[12]
On December 15, 2023, he decided to resign from Liga 1 club PSM Makassar after two months in the team. This was motivated by the team management's salary arrears. He said in his Instagram story that he felt lied to and betrayed by the management from PSM Makassar.[16]
Mansaray was selected to the United States under-18 national team in August 2014. He played two games in the friendly tournament hosted by the Czech Republic, against Hungary and Ukraine.[17] Before choosing to play for the United States, Mansaray opted to forgo opportunities with Sierra Leone, as well as Jamaica.[18] In December 2014, Mansaray received his third and fourth caps in two games against the Germany under-18 national team.
After turning 18 in February 2015, Mansaray moved up to the United States under-20 national team. He made one appearance for the United States U-20 team in 2015, followed by six appearances (with two goals scored) in 2016.[19][20] In early 2017, Mansaray was called up for a United States U-20 training camp from January 31 to February 10.[21] However, at the conclusion of the camp, Mansaray was not included on the team's 20-man roster for U-20 World Cup qualifying matches.[22]
Shortly after being dropped from the U.S. team for the 2017 U20 World Cup, Mansaray told press he would be open to being called up by the Sierra Leone national team.[23] On June 5, 2017, Mansaray announced via Instagram that he had been called up by Sierra Leone.[24]
