Clarence Awoudor is a French 22-year-old no. 10 who recently signed for Fort Wayne FC in USL League One after leading NCAA Division I in assists with 15 (a school record) for the UCF Knights. He added 7 goals in 1,808 minutes played (17 90s completed). Prior to his 3 seasons at UCF, Awoudor was named to the All-Pac-12 Conference First Team as a freshman at Oregon State. Before heading stateside, he developed at SM Caen, where he scored 14 goals in 27 appearances at U19 level.
Awoudor is 5’7” with a sturdy frame and a low center of gravity that aids him on turns. He is agile with quick flips of his hips while having strong balance receiving under pressure. This makes him capable of absorbing some contact when linking play, but if double-teamed, he can still be knocked off the ball and can be prone to an injury scare. He is an energetic runner when approaching the box despite not having the most pace. Although Awoudor consistently completes 90s, his stamina fades late in matches, so he will have to improve his fitness.
Awoudor is very comfortable receiving on the half turn, combining his agility with a consistently clean and soft first touch. He displays excellent scanning and expansive vision, which allows him to fully take advantage of his strong right foot in distribution. He can be deceptive with his deliveries, unlocking him to unlock gaps in the back line, sending ground balls through to runners in stride. Additionally, Awoudor creates chances with accurate chips into the box and with both in- and out-swinging crosses from corners and free kicks. Being a set piece specialist is a large contribution to his high assist total. The volume of his deliveries causes a lot of danger, but he still must become more precise on them. When involved in link-up in the middle third, he can hesitate or hold onto the ball too long when pressured, slowing down the buildup unintentionally. His line-breaking attempts are also occasionally mistimed. Awoudor must improve his choices and speed in decision-making. Off the ball, he displays good enough spatial awareness, mainly drifting across the middle third, flashing toward the back line or wingers, where he is effective in tight areas in the half spaces. He can also crash the box with solid timing up the middle, making him a decent goal threat, especially as a cutback option. His end product is inconsistent, but he is a generally capable finisher under pressure. His first touch can get heavy in the box, or he will hesitate and not finish first time, both of which reduce the number of clean chances he gets. Awoudor’s ball striking technique is better from distance, though he tends to rush those opportunities.
Defensively, Awoudor is limited. His size and strength put him at a disadvantage in duels. He only presses high situationally, occasionally forcing a rushed pass. He does not bring much intensity in his own half—late on recovery runs and passive when pressing. Awoudor must also learn to control his emotions, as outbursts have gotten him booked.
Awoudor’s size, composure, and decision-making limit his ceiling. Yet, his technical base and creativity give him a strong possibility of translating his NCAA success to the USL League One level. He will have to battle Taig Healy for playing time unless Fort Wayne deploys a two attacking midfield system or inside forwards in their inaugural campaign. If he can even somewhat replicate his college output with the expansion club, I do see him earning a move to the USL Championship or to the fourth division of his native France.
Target Scouting 