• Finalist for 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year
• Led all MLS rookies in scoring with four goals and four assists
• Top selection in 2009 MLS SuperDraft
• Coach Sigi Schmid: “Steve’s a dangerous dribbler, comfortable on either side of the field with good speed.”

MLS Experience
2010: Zakuani is tied seventh in MLS scoring with seven goals. His last points came in a 2-0 home win vs. Colorado (7/25) where he scored twice for the first time in his career. That performance earned him MLS Player of the Week. He scored the earliest goal in franchise history when he struck in the 4th minute vs. Columbus (5/1) and recorded a game-winning assist in MLS First Kick vs. Philadelphia (3/25).  

2009: Dynamic contributor in first year as a professional. Finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year, leading all first-year players in goals (4) and assists (4). Appeared in 31 games, starting 26 on the left wing, including both playoff legs vs. HOU (10/29, 11/8). Finished fourth on club in points (12). Scored first career MLS goal in club’s first road game, a 2-0 win at TOR (4/4). First assist set up the game-winner in 2-0 win vs. RSL (3/28). Goal in 2-1 road win at DC (9/12) was voted MLS Goal of the Week. Three of his four goals came on the road and Seattle was 2-0-1 in those matches. Appeared in four of six U.S. Open Cup games, starting three, including the final vs. DC (9/2). Had game-winning assist in extra time of 2-1 USOC semifinal win vs. HOU (7/21).

College
2008: Led the nation in goals (20) and points (47) while appearing in all 23 games for the Zips. Both goal and point totals ranked fifth on the school’s single season list and was one of three Hermann Trophy finalists. First Akron player and just the second sophomore overall to be named Soccer America Player of the Year. Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year, NSCAA/adidas All-America and All-Great Lakes Region First Team honoree. Soccer America First Team All-American, College Soccer News First Team All-American and MAC Player of the Year. Forced to miss the only start of his college career due to an ankle injury in the MAC Tournament championship game versus Northern Illinois but responded by scoring the game-winning goal in double-overtime against the Huskies to give Akron its sixth league tournament title. Was one of a team-leading seven game-winning goals. Registered the first two hat tricks of his career against Northern Illinois (Oct. 4) and Wright State (Oct. 15). Was twice named Top Drawer Soccer’s National Player of the Week (Oct. 6, 10). Garnered MAC Player of the Week honors six times to set a new league record. 2007: As a freshman, College Soccer News All-Freshman team honoree and Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year. Also a first team All-MAC and first team NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region performer. Paced the Zips with six goals, three game-winners and added a pair of assists for a team-high 14 points. First career goal was a game-winner in a 1-0 defeat of UAB (Sept. 2).

Club/High School
Prior to Akron, played with the Arsenal youth team until age 14 (1997-2002). Played at the Independent Football Academy in London, England, from 2004-07. Attended Gladesmore Community School.

Parents are Mao and Cecile Zakuani. Was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has five siblings: Angela, Gabriel, Sosthene, Admira and Claudia. Older brother Gabriel plays for Peterborough United FC in League One. Enjoys reading and watching African comedies in his spare time. Lists his biggest athletic thrill as playing vs. Barcelona.