Quincy Amarikwa’s professional soccer career has taken him all across the country, but it's never brought him back to the greater Sacramento area, a place where he made his name as a standout striker for the UC Davis Aggies.
Seven years later, Amarikwa will finally make his return as the Quakes travel up Interstate 5 to face the club’s USL affiliate Sacramento Republic FC.
“It will be cool,” said Amarikwa. “I think a couple of my college classmates that happen to still be in the area are planning to attend, so it should be fun.”
At UC Davis, Amarikwa appeared in 77 games over four season, tallying 31 goals and seven assists. The Bakersfield native finished his career with the Aggies among the top five in both goals and points in school history. Following his impressive spell in Davis, Amarikwa was selected by the Earthquakes with the 32nd overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, a moment he didn’t see coming.
“When I got drafted I was in my biology lab and my phone was blowing up saying ‘Congratulations! Congratulations!’ Amarikwa explained. “Then I was like ‘Oh, I got drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes. Awesome!’
“I was excited, but I still had to finish my classes,” Amarikwa laughed.
A lot has changed since he last stepped foot on Aggie Field, but his support system remains strong west of Sacramento. Amarikwa is expecting a contingent of family and friends who will make the trip east to catch a glimpse of the former Aggies star.
