#19 | Forward
Rodney Michael | #19
Position: FW
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 150 lbs.
DOB: 08/10/1999
Birthplace: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Acquired: 03/22/2022
Previous club: South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One)
With Indy Eleven: The 22-year-old Michael was loaned to Indy Eleven on 03/22/22 from USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta FC after a successful preseason stint with the Boys in Blue.
Before Indy Eleven: Michael went undrafted in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, and was subsequently picked up by USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds as a trialist in April 2021. After not receiving a contract, he spent some time with USL League Two side Georgia Tormenta 2 and planned to return to college for his final season of eligibility. However, he was offered a contract by Georgia Tormenta’s USL League One team and ultimately forwent his final year of college eligibility to go professional.
He spent his college career playing for UC Santa Barbara in California. In three seasons with the Gauchos, Michael tallied 59 appearances on 58 starts, netted 23 goals, and tallied 15 assists. Throughout those three seasons, Michael earned several accolades, including 2018 and 2017 All-Big West First Team, 2018 All-Far West Region Team, and 2017 Big West Freshman of the Year. He did not play his senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately decided to become a professional rather than use his final year of eligibility. He was also an accomplished high school player in the state of California, being named 2016-17 California Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year and led the Santa Barbara Soccer Club to a U18 National Championship in 2016.
