Since Nouhou’s arrival to the Sounders organization in 2016, he’s shown an eagerness to learn and grow in his game. His recent milestone of becoming the only defender in the club’s MLS era to reach 250 appearances is a reflection how his mindset has translated into longevity.
“He's reached that 250 mark because of his consistent playing and consistent training,” said Assistant Coach Freddy Juarez. “That gets him in the lineup, day-in, day-out, and having to repeat good performance, good performance, one after another, it's not an easy task.”
The Cameroon international has come a long way since his debut with S2 (now Tacoma Defiance). But, he has always maintained that spark and joyful style of play throughout his ascent at the club.
“I actually got to coach against him when he was with S2 and I was with Monarchs at that level, and that was at his young age of 19, and he was exciting even then, you know, bombing forward and running forward,” said Juarez.
Fast forward nine years later, the outside back has become arguably “one of the best 1-v-1 defenders in the league,” according to Assistant Coach Andy Rose. From competing against some of the best attackers globally with the Cameroon National Team, to continuing to improve his game day-in-and-day-out in Sounders training sessions, Nouhou has developed into a defender that opposing players hate to encounter.
“You can match him up against the best player in the league, and he usually comes out on top, and that's a tough role to be,” said Juarez. “He's almost a guaranteed shutdown every time we play.”
At the age of 27 years old, Nouhou has already achieved the unimaginable on an international and club level. Along with his recent milestone, the outside back has consistently represented Cameroon in global events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Domestically, he’s supported the Sounders toward a second MLS Cup title in 2019 and their first-ever Concacaf Champions League trophy in 2022.
“We know what an asset he is to our team when he's at his best,” said Rose. “I think when he's in a really good rhythm, when he's focusing on the right things, being a good teammate, involved in all aspects, he's becoming a really complete defender, and our style of play, the way we want to play, he's so incredibly important behind the ball when things turn over, and the amount of fires he has to put out for us.”
Even so, the coaching staff believe he has yet to reach his full potential.
“There's more levels for him to get to,” said Rose. [It’s] still relatively early in his career as well…He can still develop and get [even] better.”
And while his professional success has earned him opportunities to compete in Europe, he finds himself wanting to stay at the club that has been with him for nearly a decade.
“I'm very happy here,” said Nouhou. “I don't need to go to Europe to improve myself. I think MLS has a big level now, so that's why I want to stay here. [And,] the fans, I get love.”
His hope is to remain at the Sounders for as long as possible, and to reach even greater heights as he navigates his professional endeavors with the organization that has given him the chance to showcase his undeniable talent in the backline since 2016.
“[I want] to put my name on this club. I just want to try to win more trophies with the club,” said Nouhou. “To be honest, I just want to enjoy my life in Seattle. Why not finish my career at the Sounders?”
