Mateo Buyu/HANDOUT Mateo Buyu has his sights set on wearing the Kenya national team jersey after building an impressive football career through the youth and college systems in the United States.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper, born and raised in Dorchester, Massachusetts, has steadily climbed the American football ladder.
Buyu’s ambition to represent his country dates back to his high school days, when he spoke openly about his desire to play international football.
“I want to play for my country. I think it would be sick to play in the World Cup or the Olympics,” Buyu said.
His emergence is particularly intriguing for Kenya because of his African family background. His father, Chris Buyu, moved to the United States from Africa before playing Division Three football at Clark University.
Mateo started playing football at just two years old after his father introduced him to Dorchester Youth Soccer.
“My dad put me on the field at the age of two years playing for DYS,” he recalled. “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.”
He later attended Milton Academy, where he established himself as one of the leading young goalkeepers in Massachusetts. In 2022, Buyu was selected for the High School All-America team and earned a place on the East squad. He was also named the ISL and NEPSAC Goalkeeper of the Year following an outstanding campaign.
His performances earned him a Division One scholarship to Providence College, where he spent his first two seasons without making a competitive appearance.
Buyu subsequently transferred to Holy Cross, where he increased his involvement and continued his development.
During the 2025 season, he started 11 matches, making 29 saves and recording two clean sheets while posting a 1.22 goals-against average. He finished sixth in the Patriot League in goals-against average and ninth in save percentage.
Standing at 6ft 2in, Buyu combines his physical presence with impressive distribution, particularly with his feet. His ability developed partly from his early days playing as an outfield player.
Goalkeeping was not a position he immediately embraced. He was introduced to it at FC Valeo after previously playing for REAL Boston and Dorchester Youth Soccer.
“The first two years I didn’t like it at all,” he said. “Some games, we played terrible teams, and I wanted to be in the field. I would cry after the game.”
Specialist goalkeeping coaching eventually changed his outlook and helped him become more comfortable between the posts. “Some goalies get noticed for yelling and screaming, but I’m more of a quiet goalie,” Buyu said. “What’s different about me is that I like to play with my feet even as a goaltender.”
His time with the Boston Bolts, where he played in the MLS Next system, further exposed him to a competitive environment and played an important role in his development.
Now in his final year at Holy Cross, Buyu has already earned considerable recognition within the American football system. His ambitions, however, extend beyond college football.
“If I do well at Providence, then I want to go on to professional or semi-professional,” he said during his high school days.
His journey has taken him from youth football in Dorchester to elite high school competition, Division 1 college football and the Patriot League.
For Kenya, Buyu’s development offers an interesting prospect should he be eligible to represent the country.
His ultimate ambition is clear: build a professional career and eventually earn the opportunity to wear his country’s colours on the international stage.
