Jalil Anibaba

Citizenship:    USA
Last Club:    University of North Carolina
How Acquired:    Selected 9th overall (1st round) in 2011 MLS SuperDraft

Jalil Anibaba followed up his impressive rookie season with another stand-out season at right back. The University of North Carolina product appeared in all but one of the Fire’s regular season matches, holding down the right side of the Fire defense. Anibaba’s versatility was key for the Fire as he also slotted in centrally when called upon. After training with Spanish La Liga side Atletico Madrid during the offseason, the composed, young defender will be key to helping the Fire return to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the second straight season in 2013.

2012: Appeared in 33 matches, starting 32…Scored one goal and added one assist…Scored the Fire’s only goal in the 39th minute of a 2-1 loss at POR 5/20…Missed the 5/4 match at CHV due to a one-match suspension that he received after being dismissed from the 4/28 match vs. SEA…Assisted on Sherjill MacDonald’s goal in the 34th minute of a 3-1 win over MON 9/15…MLS CUP PLAYOFFS: Started and played 75 minutes of the Fire’s 2-1 loss to HOU in the Eastern Conference Knockout Match 10/31…LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP: Started and played the entire match of the Fire’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Michigan Bucks 5/29…INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: Played the second half of the Fire’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa FC 7/21…Played the second half of the Fire’s 2-2 draw with Club Santos Laguna 9/8.

2011: Appeared in 29 matches, starting 27 over 2508 minutes, ranking him second among Fire defenders behind only Gonzalo Segares…Recorded two goals and one assist in the league splitting time between right back and central defense…Tallied his first career assist on Dominic Oduro’s 89th minute strike in a 2-1 loss 4/17 vs. LA…Became just the fourth Fire rookie and first defender all-time to tally a brace, scoring two first half headers in a 3-2 victory 10/22 vs. CLB…LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP: Joined goalkeeper Sean Johnson as the only two players to appear in all six qualifying and tournament matches, logging 385 minutes…Scored a 40-yard rocket which stood as the game-winner in a 2-1 victory 3/30 vs. COL in a qualifying match played at Shea Stadium in Peoria, IL…The strike was later voted the club’s 2011 Goal of the Year by Fire supporters…INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: Started both matches, logging 133 minutes combined in a 3-1 loss 7/23 vs. Manchester United at Soldier Field and a 1-0 loss 9/14 vs. Chivas de Guadalajara at Toyota Park.

College:

2010: Transferred to the University of North Carolina for his senior season, appearing in 24 matches while helping the Tar Heels to their third straight NCAA College Cup appearance. Capped his college career by earning NSCAA 2nd Team All American honors…2009:  Appeared in 20 games, tallying two assists during his final season at Santa Clara…Team captain, earning All-WCC honors for the third consecutive season…All-WCC First Team pick for the second time…National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-West Region team…Mostly played center-back, anchoring a defense that posted five shutouts • Helped the Broncos go 3-0-2 to finish the season and tie for fourth in the WCC in wins…2008 Appeared in 19 matches, tallying 2 goals and 2 assists for the Broncos… Led the team with 34 shots and recorded six points on two goals and two assists • Named All-WCC second team…Was a Soccer America Preseason All-American…Helped the Broncos to a tie against San Jose State Sept. 24…Notched his first assist of the season on Connor Mitchell's goal against Stanford Sept. 27…Scored his first goal of the season against Saint Mary's Oct. 12…Scored his second goal of the season against Saint Mary's Nov. 7…Dished out an assist on Alex Fitschen's goal against SMC Nov. 7…2007 Started all 22 games, tallying one goal and two assists while leading team in minutes played with 2,035…Started first two games of career in midfield vs. Alabama A&M Aug. 31 and Vermont Sept. 2…Notched first career assist vs. Vermont Sept. 2…Moved from midfield to central defense Sept. 14 vs. Stanford and started at center back every game after that…Team went 13-1-4 in games Anibaba started in central defense…Scored game-winning goal with two seconds left in regulation with incredible side-volley vs. San Francisco Oct. 12… Named to CSN National Team of Week Oct. 15…WCC Freshman of the Year…All-WCC First Team…Top Drawer Soccer Team of Season All Freshman First Team…

International: Traveled to Mexico with U.S. U18 national team in early 2007 and was part of the side that took part in the Pan-American Games that July in Rio de Janeiro…

Prep:  A 2007 graduate from Davis Senior High School in Davis, Calif…Named Gatorade California Player of the Year for soccer in 2006-07…Named Delta Valley Conference MVP in 2006-07 as a senior after scoring 16 goals and dishing out 12 assists…Led team to a 22-1-2 record and a berth in the sectional playoffs…Participated in soccer and basketball…Helped soccer team to section championship during junior year …Led Davis to league title in 2006… Named All-League from 2004-2006…Named All-Metro from 2005-2006…Earned league's Defensive MVP award in 2005… Club team was the champion of the Nomads gold bracket…
 
Personal: Born in Fontana, Calif…Parents are Jammal & Elizabeth Anibaba and Melaine Clark…Has three brothers, Jammil, Sule, Josh Reese, and a younger sister, Jasmine.. Brother Jammil played soccer at UC-Davis… Enjoys playing basketball, listening to music and researching Yoruba music and culture… Loves to vacation in Northern California… Likes any movie with Denzel Washington… Biggest influence is his father… Respects Jay Jay Okocha because of his dribbling abilities and loved to watch the Nigerian National soccer team because of his heritage… Goes by the nickname “Ja.”