AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific men's soccer alum Isaac Bawa has signed a contract to start his professional career with the Los Angeles Galaxy II of the United Soccer League, the team announced today.
 
Bawa wrapped up his outstanding Cougar career just a few short months ago, as he helped lead Azusa Pacific to a two-year record of 35-3-1, back-to-back PacWest championships and two consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. As a freshman in 2018, Bawa was named an All-American by both the United Soccer Coaches Association and the D2CCA, while also being recognized as the PacWest Defender of the Year and the Freshman of the Year. In 2019, the sophomore defender served as the anchor for a Cougar defense that posted eight shutouts and allowed no more than one goal in 16 of Azusa Pacific's 19 matches. Bawa scored two goals in his final season as a Cougar, including a game-winning golden goal against Hawai'i Hilo which preserved the Azusa Pacific's undefeated season at the time. Once again, he was selected as an All-American by the United Soccer Coaches Association and the D2CCA. Additionally, he was named as the PacWest Player of the Year.
 
Bawa came to Azusa by way of Accra, Ghana. Azusa Pacific assistant coach Andriy Budny reflected on the journey that brought the men's soccer program and Bawa together, "We had an original commit who decided to go elsewhere, and so we were able to go out and find another player," said Budny, "I was given some film of Isaac playing on a field back home in Ghana… just watching a few minutes of the video, we saw that there was something special in him, and we decided to bring him to our team right there." Head coach David Blomquist knew they had made a great decision shortly after Bawa arrived on campus, "We saw the talent right away when he got here, but more importantly, he fit in so well with our team and the guys loved him. We were thrilled to have him in all aspects, and because of the person that he is, it has been great to have him in our program these last two seasons."
 
While Bawa moved a long way away from his family and friends, he quickly adjusted to life in Azusa, "from the first day I arrived here, my teammates made this place feel like home. Throughout the last year and a half, the guys on the team have become like family and I am grateful to still be so close to them."
 
Since the end of the Cougars' season in late November, Bawa had been training and attending combines for various professional teams. He attended tryouts in Charlotte, San Jose, and Los Angeles, and received interest and a couple contract offers from multiple teams as a result of his performance. The Galaxy II offered Bawa a contract right after his tryout with the club, and after some consideration, he felt that staying in Los Angeles would be the best option to start his professional career.
 
"Ever since I was a kid, it was my dream to be a professional soccer play. Signing this contract is the biggest achievement in my life because by God's grace, I can now saw that I am a professional soccer player."
 
Galaxy II play in the USL Championship, the second tier of the United States soccer system.  The USL Championship features 35 franchises divided into Eastern and Western Conferences with15 of the clubs affilitated with a Major League Soccer team, including Galaxy II. Bawa is excited for this opportunity and sets his sights high, "my goal for this year is to learn, grow and improve, so that next season I can hopefully play in the MLS." His new team is located about 45 minutes southwest of the Azusa Pacific campus, as Galaxy II plays their home matches in Carson, at Dignity Health Sports Park, the same stadium that the MLS Galaxy play in. "It is awesome that Isaac will be starting his professional career so close to us," said Coach Blomquist, "we will be able to get out to some of his games and continue to support him. We are so proud of Isaac, he is an amazing young man who is bound for great things."
 
Bawa and his new club will open the season on Sunday, March 8 in Edinburg, Texas against Rio Grande Valley FC. The Galaxy II's first home game will be on Friday, March 13 against Austin Bold FC. Game times for the entire season are yet to be announced.