Willis Forko
Encyclopedia
Willis Forko is a Liberia
n footballer who is currently a free agent.
when he was three years old. He began his collegiate soccer career at the University of South Carolina
in 2002. He played one season there before transferring to the University of Connecticut
. At UConn he appeared in 65 matches, notching 3 goals and 15 assists, and was twice named to the Third Team All Big East.
by Real Salt Lake
. He went on to play 38 games, scoring 8 goals, for RSL in their first two seasons in Major League Soccer
, before leaving the club at the end of the 2007 season.
Forko signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division
in 2008, but a month after signing with the Whitecaps, it was announced that Forko had been transferred to the Norwegian Premier League
side FK Bodø/Glimt. He went on to spent two seasons playing in the Tippeligaen
, making 58 appearances for the team.
Forko returned to Vancouver in 2010 with hopes of joining the club in its move to the Major League Soccer
in 2011. He made his first appearance for the Whitecaps on August 29, 2010 in a 2-2 tie with the Austin Aztex
.
, played in Major League Soccer
for the MetroStars
in 2003.
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
n footballer who is currently a free agent.
Youth and college
Although born in Liberia, Forko and his family moved to Houston, TexasHouston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
when he was three years old. He began his collegiate soccer career at the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
in 2002. He played one season there before transferring to the University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
. At UConn he appeared in 65 matches, notching 3 goals and 15 assists, and was twice named to the Third Team All Big East.
Professional
Forko was selected in the second round, 14th overall, of the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft2006 MLS Supplemental Draft
The 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft, held on January 26, 2006, followed the SuperDraft, as teams filled out their developmental rosters.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:...
by Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
. He went on to play 38 games, scoring 8 goals, for RSL in their first two seasons in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
, before leaving the club at the end of the 2007 season.
Forko signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
in 2008, but a month after signing with the Whitecaps, it was announced that Forko had been transferred to the Norwegian Premier League
Norwegian Premier League
Tippeligaen is a Norwegian professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Norwegian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. The league is also unofficially known under its neutral name Eliteserien , although the name has never been official...
side FK Bodø/Glimt. He went on to spent two seasons playing in the Tippeligaen
Tippeligaen
Tippeligaen is a Norwegian professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Norwegian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. The league is also unofficially known under its neutral name Eliteserien , although the name has never been official...
, making 58 appearances for the team.
Forko returned to Vancouver in 2010 with hopes of joining the club in its move to the Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
in 2011. He made his first appearance for the Whitecaps on August 29, 2010 in a 2-2 tie with the Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex FC was an American professional soccer team based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2008, the team played in the USL First Division, and in the USL Division of the USSF D2 Pro League, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.
Personal
Willis' older brother, Sam ForkoSam Forko
Sam Forko is a Liberian football defender formerly with the MetroStars . Forko was drafted in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft with the 30th pick out of the University of Connecticut. He played in 9 games with the MetroStars, starting 3 before being released...
, played in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
for the MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
in 2003.