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How Nouhou Tolo transformed into a Seattle Sounders fan favorite

Nouhou Tolo is one of, if not the most likeable Sounder ever. His athleticism and his displays of raw emotion endear him to Sounders Nation. His unmistakable gate on his long runs up the sideline get the stadium fans out of their seats. He is a lock-down defender, possibly the best that the MLS has to offer in the 2020s. When things go well for him, his unbridled joy is beaming. When he is upset, he can make mistakes, retaliate both physically and verbally which can get him in hot water.
ByMatthew Faucher|
Seattle Sounders FC v St. Louis CITY SC
Seattle Sounders FC v St. Louis CITY SC | Ryan Sun/GettyImages


Rave Green fans love the raw emotions and the raw power of left wingback Nouhou Tolo.

What he doesn't have are goals and assists. In his 246 games (more than 16,000 minutes) for the Sounders, he has scored twice and has seven assists. Both times he scored was in Seattle that sent the home crowd into fits.

The scouting report on him mentions his greatest strength is his ability to win ground duels, and his biggest weakness is his discipline. That weakness, is part of why fans adore him. He comes off as likeable, and demonstrates the feelings that the fans are experiencing.

He has had the same effect in his 24 games for Cameroon, including a goal he scored in a World Cup qualifier as his fellow Countrymen danced in the crowd.

In the early part of his career, he would make runs without coverage, leaving the left side exposed for a counter-attack, but for the last handful of years that has not been an issue. His ability to win balls in the air has improved yearly, as has his passing accuracy. He is a key component to Seattle formidable defense which has been their calling card since their entry in the MLS.

With the Sounders he was part of the team when they became the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF title as well as being part of the Sounders second MLS title. He follows in already rich history of wing backs for the Sounders. Mears, Leerdam, Jones, and Yedlin, each of which spent time playing in Europe laid the way for Nouhou. He gives credit to Joevin Jones for mentoring him. Brian Schmetzer has described him as a very coachable, athletic player with a lot of raw power and talent and early in his career he had to learn to play a smarter game.

Nouhou started his professional career with Rainbow Bamenda, where he played in 2015. After some complications with his contract, he signed to play for the Seattle Sounders and after two years made it into his first MLS game. Even if he doesn't finish his career in Seattle, he has been an integral part of the Sounders' success.

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