A midfielder with a knack for creativity in the final third, J.C. Ngando was selected fifth overall by Whitecaps FC in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft from the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Prior to the draft, Ngando signed an MLS Generation adidas contract with the league.
WHITECAPS FC
'24: Ngando spent the 2024 season on loan with USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights FC, helping the team reach the Western Conference Final in the 2024 USL Cup Playoffs. Primarily being deployed in midfield, Ngando tallied two goals as well as five assists in 38 starts across all competitions for the Lights.
'23: In his first season as a professional, Ngando spent time with both the first team and Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2). With the first team, Ngando started a total of three matches and made 14 appearances across all competitions. Two of the Cameroonian midfielder’s starts came in Leagues Cup against Club León and Los Angeles Galaxy. With WFC2, Ngando started 10 of his 13 appearances, tallying three assists. The 2023 MLS SuperDraft pick also notched a goal with the second team, scoring his first professional goal against Houston Dynamo 2 on May 7.
COLLEGE
'22: Ngando recorded four goals and a team-leading 14 assists as he started all 23 of his appearances for University of North Carolina Greensboro in 2022. The midfielder received recognition for his performances by being named the South Conference Player of the Year, while also being selected to both the NCAA Division I All American First Team and All-South Region First Team.
'21: In 2021, Ngando started 14 of his 15 appearances for the Spartans, scoring five goals and adding eight assists. He was also named the South Conference Freshman of the Year, was selected to the All-Region Third Team and the College Soccer News All-Freshman Second Team.
YOUTH
Born in Douala, Cameroon, Ngando moved to France at the age of seven and went on to play for Paris FC II and Amiens SC II.
