Simply trying out for an elite club team in central Texas costs as much as $500, a fortune for a refugee family struggling to build a new life in a new land. Eventually Kamungo's brother Imani found an open tryout with the developmental team for MLS club FC Dallas. Kamungo impressed enough to be invited back for additional auditions and in March 2021, just weeks before the end of his senior year, he signed a professional contract.

A year later, he led North Texas SC, Dallas' MLS Next Pro affiliate, with 16 goals, earning his MLS debut — and a new four-year contract — that summer.

Nine months later, he was back in Africa, called up to the Tanzanian national team for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Niger. He didn't play, though, clearing the way for the newly minted U.S. citizen to join the U.S. U-23 team for a pair of friendlies last October. He notched assists in both games and in January he started for the senior national team against Slovenia in San Antonio, 250 miles from his parents' home in Abilene.

"This is like, every child's dream," he said. "If you become a professional soccer player, you always want to represent your country. So for me to be able to do that was a big honor."

Yet the Olympic part of that dream might be receding. Kamungo has started only twice for FC Dallas since the middle of March and was left off the roster for the Olympic team's June training camp, the final one before the roster for Paris will be chosen.

The fact he was even in the conversation and not in a refugee camp is reason enough to celebrate.

"I'm thankful to get that chance," Kamungo said. "I'm just happy for every second."

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