After scoring five goals over five matches, which includes back-to-back games with a brace, Ibrahim Kasule claimed his second MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month honor for August. The Ugandan has now won the award for the second consecutive month, a feat that no other player in the league has accomplished this season.
Going into the month of August, Kasule was in the middle of a seven-match goal scoring streak (the longest such streak in club history) and looked to continue that momentum as the club was making their push for the playoffs. The midfielder didn’t score in the first two matches of the month, but the next three were all that it would take for him to seal his case for Player of the Month.
His campaign started in the middle of a statement, 5-0, victory over Columbus Crew 2, where Kasule scored a goal to bring his season total up to eleven.
From there, the 19-year-old showcased exactly why he is a top talent in the league. In the next match against Atlanta, Kasule notched his first multi-goal game of the season in a dominant performance. The first goal was from distance, as Kasule managed to beat the opposing goalkeeper with a perfectly placed shot from around 20 yards out. The midfielder’s second was from the penalty spot, where he continued his perfect 6-6 record this season to help solidify the victory over Atlanta United 2.
After scoring three of the nine goals that New York had scored in a span of two matches, Kasule continued his impressive pace. The Ugandan placed himself right in the middle of a back-and-forth battle against Chicago Fire FC II and locked in his nomination for the Player of the Month award.
Kasule scored New York’s second goal of the match to pull the team level right before the halftime break. His positioning put him in the perfect spot to send home a rebound and secure his third consecutive match with a goal.
That wouldn’t be all for Kasule, who put his side up 5-3 with the eventual match winning goal for his second of the night. This one was another instance of the midfielder being in the perfect position to hammer home a cross off a set piece and record his second straight match with a brace.
Ibrahim Kasule has proven how much his hard work is paying off this season, and he is beginning to receive the recognition that he deserves. The midfielder recently made his MLS Debut after being subbed on in the 64th minute in the New York Red Bulls match against New England Revolution on August 30th.
These awards, milestones, and club records seem to be just the beginning for the young Ugandan Kasule, who will look grow even further from here.
