From the day that midfielder Ibrahim Kasule arrived in New Jersey from Uganda, he has made an impact for the New York Red Bulls II squad.
In an offseason where the team made their transition to MLS NEXT Pro, a complete roster rebuild was in store.
One of the big offseason additions for Head Coach Ibrahim Sekagya was Kasule, who came to the Red Bulls organization by way of Ugandan club Wakiso Giants.
It has been a historic season for Kasule that saw him score fifteen goals on the year, putting him into a tie with Brandon Allen and Jared Stroud for the most goals in a regular season in club history.
Matching the single season goal record was not the only history that Kasule made, as the midfielder held a streak of seven consecutive matches in which he had scored a goal. That mark is not only the highest streak in club history, but it is the record for MLS NEXT Pro as well.
For a team that has competed near the top of the league standings all season long, Kasule has been a catalyst. In an 11-match span from May 27 to August 1, Kasule had 10 goals and four assists.
His production has not gone unnoticed. He became the first player in league history to receive consecutive MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month award honors.
For the month of July, Ibrahim earned his first award after scoring five goals and and recording one assist in five matches. He backed up his reign as player of the month in August as well, when the Ugandan scored five goals yet again to defend the title of Player of the Month in MLS NEXT Pro.
Kasule has also gotten attention from the first team squad, appearing on the matchday roster three times. He made his MLS debut on August 30 in the Red Bulls’ match at New England.
With accolade after accolade during the regular season, Kasule accomplished yet another feat. The Ugandan was named to the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI, recognizing the top players league wide at their position.
As Kasule and the Red Bulls II team head into their inaugural MLS NEXT playoff campaign, opposing teams are going to have to circle the Ugandan midfielder’s name.
