Michael Lahoud wins NASL Humanitarian Award

Michael Lahoud came to the Philadelphia Union in 2012 in part of the Danny Califf trade with Chivas USA, and would stay with the team until 2016 when he was loaned to the New York Cosmos in NASL. The loan was cut short and he was rumored to be coming back to the first team, only to find that he was being transferred to another NASL side, Miami FC. Lahoud has been with Miami ever since and was announced the winner of the NASL Humanitarian of the Year award for 2016.

The Sierra Leone international has been heavily involved with Schools for Salone, an organization that helps children in similar situations to his own, dealing with civil war and the probability of child soldiers. Beginning in September of last year, Lahoud and New England Revolution striker Kei Kamara built a school for students in Freetown in order to provide free education to students who would normally not be able to afford education. The school in its first year has over 50 students and is continuing to grow. Even when his soccer career is over, Lahoud plans on continuing to fund the school and be more involved. The school means a great deal to Lahoud, as “The school is a part of me, it is a part of my story and will always be a part of my story. Building it has been a dream come true. I hope to continue changing the lives many through the sport that I love.” Lahoud has been called up to the Sierra Leone national team four times in his professional career. Congratulations and good work to Michael Lahoud!