KENYA – US-based goalkeeper Mateo Buyu has made his desire to represent Kenya clear, revealing his ambition to earn a place in the Harambee Stars squad under head coach Benni McCarthy. The 21-year-old goalkeeper, who is developing his career in the American college soccer system, said on Monday, September 7, 2026, that representing Kenya at international level remains one of his biggest ambitions.
“I want to play for my country. I think it would be sick to play in the World Cup or the Olympics,” Buyu said, as quoted by The Star.
Born and raised in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Buyu has progressed through the competitive youth and collegiate soccer systems in the United States. His ambition to play for Kenya is not new, as he has carried the dream since his high school years.
Buyu’s connection to Kenya comes through his father, Chris Buyu, who emigrated from Africa to the United States and played Division Three soccer at Clark University. His father introduced him to football when he was only two years old through Dorchester Youth Soccer. That early exposure played an important role in developing Buyu’s passion for the sport.
“My dad put me on the field at the age of two. I started playing a lot and getting good. When I was two, I probably stood around a lot on the field, but maybe at three years old, I fell in love with it,” Buyu recalled.
His talent continued to develop through local youth football before flourishing at Milton Academy, where he established himself as one of the promising young goalkeepers in Massachusetts. In 2022, Buyu’s performances earned him selection to the High School All-America team. He was also named ISL Goalkeeper of the Year and NEPSAC Goalkeeper of the Year.
His impressive performances earned him a scholarship to Providence College, giving him an opportunity to compete at Division One level. After spending two seasons at Providence, Buyu transferred to Holy Cross, where he has enjoyed more opportunities to demonstrate his abilities.
During the 2025 season, he started 11 matches, made 29 saves and recorded two clean sheets. He ended the campaign with a 1.22 goals-against average, ranking sixth in the Patriot League in that category.
Standing at 6-foot-2, Buyu provides a strong presence in goal. He is also confident with the ball at his feet, an ability that has become increasingly important in modern football, where goalkeepers are expected to contribute to building attacks from the back.
However, Buyu admitted that becoming a goalkeeper was not something he immediately enjoyed. He was initially an outfield player before being introduced to the position at FC Valeo.
“The first two years I didn’t like it at all. Some games, we played terrible teams, and I wanted to be on the field. I would cry after the game,” he said.
Specialised coaching eventually helped him embrace the position and understand its demands.Buyu now describes himself as a quiet goalkeeper who relies on his technical ability rather than constant shouting and vocal leadership. “Some goalies get noticed for yelling and screaming, but I’m more of a quiet goalie. What’s different about me is that I like to play with my feet even as a goaltender,” he explained.
His development was further strengthened by his time with the Boston Bolts in the MLS Next system, where he gained valuable experience against high-level youth competition. With his international ambitions now firmly focused on Kenya, Buyu will be hoping his continued development in the United States can bring him closer to earning a call-up to Harambee Stars under McCarthy.
