Kenya’s defensive midfielder Richard Odada has expressed his delight after finally getting back to the pitch for the first time in three months following his debut for the Philadelphia Union II side on Sunday morning.Since May, the 21 year old Kenyan international has not gotten any game time under his belt at Serbian outfit Red Star Belgrade where he failed to nail down a starting place after returning from loan spells at second-tier Serbian clubs Graficar and Metalac.OFFICIAL: Odada completes move to MLS side Philadelphia UnionWith the lack of gaming time, Odada, who featured for twelve time Kenyan champions AFC Leopards before his move abroad, sealed a transfer to the United States where he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with an option for a third and fourth year with 2020 MLS Supporters’ Shield champions Philadelphia Union in August.In order to help the youngster get some match fitness, Odada was included in the Union II side that faced Orlando City B in the MLS Next Pro League.Kenyan International Richard Odada featured for Philadelphia Union II side as they thrashed Orlando City B 6-1 in an MLS Next Pro match on Sunday. The boy from Rongai moved to Philadelphia from Serbian side Red Star Belgrade slightly over a month ago.#StarsAbroad pic.twitter.com/BoqoZ4R7PP— Jeff Kinyanjui (@_JeffKinyanjui) September 13, 2022 With the game marking his debut and first feature since May, Odada was only played for fourty five minutes as he was substituted at the half time break as Union comfortably recorded a 6-1 victory.“It feels good to be back,” the player posted on his social media portals.##NAJAVA_MECA_6634333##In the first half of the game, forward Chris Donovan pressured the keeper into a mistake to put Union II in the lead. Moments later, Donovan added another goal to his tally with a one on one with the keeper, slotting it into the corner of the net to double the lead in the 22nd minute.Homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan scored a brace in two minutes to put Union II up by four goals before halftime.In the second half, Jose Riasco scored seconds after the whistle blew with a tap in to make it 5-0. Union II were then awarded a penalty in the 56th minute when forward Riasco was taken down in the box.Homegrown midfielder Paxten Aaronson converted his fifth goal of the season from the penalty spot. Orlando responded with Favian Loyola scoring a goal from inside the box in the 69th minute.Odada wll now be hoping to get up to speed and integrate with the main Philadelphia Union team that is currently top of the table in the MLS Eastern Conference zone.
