Akil Watts Bio
Akil Amen-Diop Watts is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right-back for St. Louis City in Major League Soccer. Born on February 4, 2000, Watts began his journey in the Portland Timbers Academy before earning a professional contract with Spanish side RCD Mallorca in 2018. He has also represented Louisville City FC and St. Louis City 2 during his development in the American soccer pyramid.
Standing 178 centimeters tall, Watts has built his reputation as a reliable defender with international experience at the youth level. After representing the United States at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, he returned to the United States and progressed through the ranks of lower-division and Major League Soccer clubs. His career continues with St. Louis City, where he remains an active member of the first-team roster.
Early Life and Background
Akil Amen-Diop Watts was born on February 4, 2000, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the United States. Growing up in the Midwest, he developed an early interest in soccer and joined the Portland Timbers Academy as a teenager. The academy system provided him with a structured environment to refine his defensive skills and earn a path toward a professional career.
His development within the academy drew national attention, particularly after strong performances in youth international competitions. These showings demonstrated his ability to compete against high-caliber opponents and helped establish his profile as a promising right-back prospect. By the time he finished his academy tenure, Watts had already attracted interest from professional clubs on both sides of the Atlantic.
Path to Soccer
Watts rose through the ranks of the Portland Timbers Academy, where he sharpened the tactical awareness and crossing ability that would later define his professional style. His play at the youth level caught the eye of United States national team coaches, leading to his inclusion in the squad that competed at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He appeared in three of the five matches the Americans contested at the World Cup, including the round-of-16 5–0 win against Paraguay and the quarterfinal 4–1 defeat against England.
Following his performances on the international stage, Watts signed a professional contract with Spanish club RCD Mallorca in 2018. The move to La Liga’s developmental system offered him a chance to train in a top European environment before returning to compete in the United States. His transition from academy standout to professional player marked a defining step in his early career.
Akil Watts Career
Early Career (2019)
Watts began his professional career on August 6, 2019, when he signed with Louisville City FC of the USL Championship. Less than a month later, on August 30, 2019, he made his professional debut by starting and playing 56 minutes in a 1–1 draw against Indy Eleven. The debut offered an early indication of his readiness to compete at the senior level in the American second tier.
He spent the next two seasons with Louisville City, contributing as a defender in the USL Championship. Following the 2021 season, Louisville opted to decline their contract option on Watts, opening the door for a new chapter in his development pathway.
St. Louis City Breakthrough (2022–Present)
In 2022, Watts signed with MLS Next Pro team St. Louis City 2 for the club’s inaugural season. The opportunity allowed him to continue refining his game within a growing organization that was preparing to launch a Major League Soccer expansion side. Later that year, in November 2022, he signed with the club’s MLS affiliate, St. Louis City SC, completing his move to the top flight of American soccer.
Since joining St. Louis City SC, Watts has served as a right-back option for the club’s senior squad. His progression from the reserve side to the first team reflects a steady climb that mirrors the expansion club’s broader rise within the league. He continues to feature for St. Louis City as an active defender.
Driving Style and Strengths
Watts plays primarily as a right-back, a position that requires balance between defensive responsibility and attacking contribution. His youth international experience at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he started and played the full match against Paraguay, demonstrated his composure in high-pressure scenarios. His continued development within Major League Soccer has emphasized tactical discipline and consistent defensive positioning.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Watts’s career came at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he represented the United States against some of the strongest youth nations in the world. His professional debut with Louisville City FC in 2019 and his subsequent move to St. Louis City SC in 2022 also stand out as key milestones. Signing with the MLS affiliate marked his arrival at the highest level of American club soccer.
Akil Watts Career Wins
Across his time in the USL Championship with Louisville City FC and in Major League Soccer with St. Louis City SC, Akil Watts has built a steady professional résumé. While specific win totals are not consistently documented across sources, his progression through multiple competitive environments reflects a durable presence on the right side of defense.
St. Louis City Highlights
Watts joined St. Louis City SC in November 2022 after spending the early part of the year with the club’s MLS Next Pro side, St. Louis City 2. His promotion to the MLS roster represented a significant step forward and contributed to the expansion club’s inaugural top-flight campaign.
Akil Watts Family
Personal Life
Akil Amen-Diop Watts was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, before moving west to join the Portland Timbers Academy as a teenager. Public details about his family and personal life remain limited, and he tends to keep his private matters outside of the spotlight. His professional focus continues to center on his career with St. Louis City.
2025 Season Performance
Akil Watts remains part of the St. Louis City SC roster heading into the 2025 Major League Soccer season. After his progression through the club’s developmental side and into the first team, he continues to provide depth at the right-back position. His familiarity with the team’s system and his prior professional experience with Louisville City FC and RCD Mallorca position him as a reliable option for the coaching staff.
As St. Louis City works to build on its early MLS campaigns, players like Watts play a stabilizing role in the locker room and on the field. His international experience at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup adds a competitive edge that the club can draw upon during the season. The 2025 campaign offers him another opportunity to expand his minutes and contribute to the team’s ambitions.
Looking ahead, Watts’s role with St. Louis City is expected to continue combining defensive duties with selective attacking contributions along the right flank. His steady development since 2019 has prepared him well for the demands of an MLS schedule. Fans and analysts will be watching to see how his role evolves as the club pushes forward.