Editor’s Note: Staking MLS real estate is a weeklong series of player profiles for Minnesota United FC, which opens its season Saturday vs. the Carolina RailHawks in Cary, N.C.

When Sammy Ndjock was born in the central African country of Cameroon in 1990, his father wasn’t present — and hasn’t showed up since — while his mother soon moved to France.

“She left me with my uncle in Yaounde, the capital,” Ndjock told the Pioneer Press. “My life was so difficult there. No clothes. No shoes.” Related Articles Minnesota United acquires striker Kei Kamara in trade with Colorado

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Twenty-six years later, Ndjock enters his second season as the goalkeeper for Minnesota United FC. Ahead of Saturday’s season opener, Ndjock is one of five pivotal United players to be introduced this week. These players are considered cogs as the Loons ramp up to their Major League Soccer debut as soon as the 2017 season.

After a rocky start in last season’s home opener, Ndjock settled in for a strong debut season with Minnesota. He posted seven shutouts as United reached the North American Soccer League semifinals.

“In football, you need support,” said Ndjock, 26. “You can’t do everything for yourself. Maybe if I got some support (early in life), maybe my level should be better. I think my level is better than the football here, but God sent me here to grow up and keep playing and progressing.”

Ndjock believes he now has the necessary support from United. But as a young child, Ndjock had more setbacks before making forward strides. At 7, he moved from Cameroon to France to be reunited with his mother and stepfather.

“But I never got an education,” Ndjock said. “It was only the football that educated me.”

By age 11, Ndjock joined the Lille youth soccer academy in northern France, and he made his professional debut at age 17 for Lille II. When he was 20, he moved to Turkey and played for the second-division team Antalyaspor and then Fethiyespor.

Before coming to United, Ndjock represented his home country in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. While he has made appearances for Cameroon in international competitions, he didn’t see game action in the World Cup.

“It’s the best, but if you are on the bench, it’s different,” Ndjock said with a shrug. “It’s a very good experience. There are some great players that have never made a World Cup, but I did it. I think I’m going to do the second one (in Russia in 2018). I’m working hard for it and to get on the field.”

With United this season and possibly beyond, Ndjock is expected to be on the pitch plenty.

Up next: United defender Justin Davis