Lalas Abubakar Bio
Alhassan “Lalas” Abubakar (born 25 December 1994) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas. Standing 185 cm tall, he is recognized for his defensive positioning, aerial ability, and leadership at the back. Over the course of his career, Abubakar has developed from a promising college talent into a reliable MLS defender, earning multiple Defensive Player of the Year honours along the way.
Early Life and Background
Alhassan Abubakar was born on 25 December 1994 in Kumasi, Ghana, and was raised in the capital city of Accra. Growing up in Ghana provided him with early exposure to football, a sport deeply embedded in the country’s culture. He attended the University of Ghana, where he played for the university’s football team and began to attract attention for his performances as a defender.
In 2013, after one of his teammates at the University of Ghana was selected to join the Dayton Flyers programme in the United States, Abubakar was also offered a place following a recommendation from his friend. Despite receiving a couple of offers from clubs in Europe, he chose to move to Ohio and play college soccer for the University of Dayton Flyers.
Path to Professional Soccer
During his three seasons with the Dayton Flyers, Abubakar appeared in 61 matches, scoring four goals and recording six assists. In 2015, he helped Dayton win the Atlantic 10 Championship and reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The following year, in 2016, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year and earned a place in the A-10 Men’s Soccer All-Conference First Team.
While still in college, Abubakar gained valuable experience in the Premier Development League. In 2015, he played for the Charlotte Eagles, helping the side go undefeated and earning selection to the Eastern Conference team of the season as a finalist for the PDL Young Player of the Year award. In 2016, he joined the Michigan Bucks, appearing in 17 matches and helping the club win the PDL title with a 3–2 victory over Calgary Foothills in the final. He was subsequently named the PDL Defender of the Year and selected to the All-League Team.
Lalas Abubakar Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Abubakar’s early professional experience came through the Premier Development League. With the Charlotte Eagles in 2015, he demonstrated his defensive quality as the team completed an undefeated campaign. His performances that summer established him as one of the top young defenders in the PDL and laid the foundation for his entry into Major League Soccer.
In 2016, he joined the Michigan Bucks and became a central figure in their championship run. His 17 appearances and consistent defending helped the Bucks claim the PDL crown. By the end of that season, Abubakar had firmly placed himself on the radar of MLS scouts, setting the stage for his draft selection.
Columbus Crew SC (2017–2019)
On 13 January 2017, Abubakar was selected by Columbus Crew SC in the first round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft as the fifth overall pick. He split his first professional season between Columbus and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, making a combined 15 appearances, including ten with the Crew and five with the Riverhounds. He scored his first professional goal on 19 August 2017 in a 1–1 draw against Orlando City.
During the 2018 season, Abubakar featured in 23 matches and scored once. However, his performances were regarded as inconsistent, and with the appointment of Caleb Porter as head coach ahead of the 2019 campaign, he was relegated to a reserve role. After one appearance for the Crew in 2019, he was loaned to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $125,000 in Targeted Allocation Money.
Colorado Rapids Era (2019–2024)
Abubakar joined the Colorado Rapids on loan in 2019 and quickly became a regular starter. Following the season, on 20 November 2019, he was permanently traded to the club in exchange for $400,000 in General Allocation Money and a 2020 international roster spot. He made his permanent debut on 29 February 2020 in a 2–1 away victory over D.C. United and went on to make 18 starts that year, scoring once in a stoppage-time equalizer against the Houston Dynamo. He earned the Rapids Defender of the Year award for the second consecutive season.
On 15 December 2020, Abubakar signed a new contract with the Rapids, keeping him at the club through 2024. In 2021, he scored the opening goal in a 2–0 home win over FC Dallas on 21 July and again opened the scoring in a 3–1 away victory against the Houston Dynamo on 14 August. He continued to be a central defensive figure for the club throughout his tenure and earned another Defender of the Year honour in 2021.
FC Dallas Era (2024–Present)
Abubakar joined FC Dallas on 19 December 2024 on a two-year contract with a one-year club option. The move brought him back to a familiar setting in Major League Soccer and gave him a new opportunity to anchor a defensive unit. His arrival added experience and leadership to the FC Dallas back line as the club looked to compete in the 2025 campaign.
Playing Style and Strengths
Abubakar is recognized for his aerial presence, positional discipline, and composure in one-on-one defending. His height of 185 cm allows him to dominate in duels and contribute on set pieces at both ends of the field. He is valued by coaches for his ability to organize the back line and maintain concentration across full matches.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Abubakar was part of the Dayton Flyers’ 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship team and the Michigan Bucks’ 2016 PDL title-winning squad. He was selected as the fifth overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft and earned Defender of the Year honours in 2016, 2020, and 2021 at the collegiate and professional levels.
Lalas Abubakar Career Wins
Throughout his career, Abubakar has built a résumé that includes team championships in college and the Premier Development League, along with multiple individual Defensive Player of the Year awards at the collegiate, PDL, and MLS levels.
MLS and Development Highlights
Abubakar earned the Colorado Rapids Defender of the Year award in 2019 and again in 2020 and 2021, demonstrating consistency across several seasons. He also made key offensive contributions, including stoppage-time equalizers and opening goals in rivalry matches against the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas.
Other Performances
At the development level, Abubakar won the Atlantic 10 Championship with the Dayton Flyers in 2015 and the Premier Development League title with the Michigan Bucks in 2016. He was also named to multiple All-Conference and All-League teams during his college and PDL years.
Lalas Abubakar Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Abubakar was raised in Accra after being born in Kumasi, Ghana. Publicly available information about his immediate family has not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 MLS season, Abubakar joined FC Dallas in December 2024 on a two-year contract with a one-year club option. He was expected to slot into a centre-back role and provide veteran leadership to a club aiming to climb the Western Conference standings.
The 2025 campaign provided Abubakar with an opportunity to continue his record of consistency in Major League Soccer. With his contract running through 2026, both player and club had aligned interests in building a strong defensive foundation for the season and beyond.