Johnny Menyongar

Johnny Menyongar

Personal information
Full name	Johnny Menyongar
Date of birth	June 26, 1979 (1979-06-26)
Place of birth	Monrovia, Liberia
Height	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Playing position	Midfielder/Forward
Club information
Current club	Shillong Lajong
Number	10
Youth career
1998	Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2000–2005	Minnesota Thunder	188	(56)
2006–2009	Rochester Rhinos	106	(28)
2010	NSC Minnesota Stars	20	(1)
2011	United Sikkim	13	(13)
2011–	Shillong Lajong	15	(4)
National team‡
2000–	Liberia	38	(10)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of September 22, 2010. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of July 12, 2006

Johnny Menyongar (born June 26, 1979 in Monrovia) is a Liberian footballer currently playing for Shillong Lajong F.C. in India's I-League.

Career

College

Menyongar came to the United States from his native Liberia in 1998 and played college soccer at NAIA Lindsey Wilson College, leading the team to the NAIA Division III national championship.

Professional

Menyongar signed his first professional contract in 2000 with Minnesota Thunder after impressing at a tryout camp. Menyongar spent the first six seasons of his professional career with Minnesota, totaling 50 regular-season goals in addition to many playoff and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tallies. He helped the Thunder to the 2003 A-League championship game and scored five goals as Minnesota reached the semifinals of the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

In November 2005, Menyongar signed with the Rochester Raging Rhinos, where he was chosen as team MVP in 2008 and 2009. Prior to the 2010 season, he became the first signing for the new club NSC Minnesota Stars.

In February 2011, Menyongar was recruited by Baichung Bhutia to play for United Sikkim FC in their inaugural professional season and in the 2011 I-League 2nd Division he scored 13 goals in 13 games. In June 2011 he announced that he would move to Shillong Lajong F.C. in the I-League.

International

Menyongar made his international debut with Liberia in 1995. Menyongar has played in two qualifying matches for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and played in two matches at the 2002 African Nations Cup. Menyongar played four matches during the team's qualifying campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but the team lost 0-2 against Senegal. He also captained the team from 2004-2006. On official Liberian rosters, he is listed as John Menyongai.

External links

• Rochester Rhinos bio
• Liberiansoccer.com profile
• Soccerway profile