Sporting KC II defender Mo Abualnadi called in for Jordan Olympic National Team training camp 

Sporting Kansas City II and Academy product defender Mo Abualnadi has been called up to a training camp for the Jordan national team for the Lebanon Olympics on March 19-29. Abualnadi signed with SKC II on January 30 after developing at the Sporting KC Academy and having successful stints at Notre Dame and the University of Pittsburgh. Abualnadi has national team experience, having made his debut for Jordan U-19 men’s national team in two friendlies against Qatar’s Aspire Academy in 2019.

A native of Overland Park, Kansas, Abualnadi completed four USL championships for Sporting KC II on an amateur contract in the spring of 2019 before beginning a four-year collegiate career with the Atlantic Coast Conference. He spent two seasons each at Notre Dame and Pitt, making 59 appearances (51 starts) in central defense, scoring two goals and providing two assists.

Abualnadi joined Sporting KC Academy in the summer of 2017 and played more than 40 games between the U-17 and U-19 teams in two seasons. He also spent significant time with Sporting KC’s first team during the 2019 Arizona preseason.

The defenseman made his debut for SKC II – then Swope Park Rangers – with a 90-minute cameo in the 2-2 draw with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Children’s Mercy Park in March 2019, then earned his second of four starts this season by he helped the team to a dramatic 3-2 home win over USL championship powerhouse Louisville City SC on May 6.

After two stellar seasons at Sporting, Abualnadi ventured to South Bend, Indiana, to begin his stint at perennial title contender Notre Dame. As a freshman, he made an immediate impression, starting 15 of 19 appearances and helping the Irish to the NCAA Tournament. As a sophomore, he played 16 more games and helped the team win five shutouts.

Abualnadi joined Pitt in 2021 and started 21 of 24 appearances in his last two collegiate seasons as a Panther. His junior campaign was highlighted by a goal, an assist and Pitt’s run to the quarterfinals of the 2021 NCAA tournament, where they lost to Notre Dame on penalties. As a senior, Abualnadi was part of a Panthers team that upset previously undefeated Kentucky in the Sweet 16 and advanced to the NCAA Men’s College Cup, where they lost to Indiana in the national semifinals last December.

Abualnadi has gained more notoriety in the first team by training with Sporting during the club’s 2023 pre-season presented by Children’s Mercy. After completing the first-team preseason, he was with the second-team in the 2023 preseason, appearing in the group’s friendly against North Texas SC on March 9 at the Toyota Soccer Center.

After the end of his time with the Jordan national team, Abualnadi will return to SKC II for the second season in MLS NEXT Pro. The roster starts the regular season Sunday, March 26 in the Colorado Rapids 2 at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park.