"You know that a lot of people are expecting you to do well. You know that a lot of people are coming to games to watch you. It's not an easy situation to be under."
But being with the Union was the ideal situation for the teenage native of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Peter Nowak, Mwanga had a former world-class player and one of the top technical managers in U.S. soccer. As coach of D.C. United in 2004, Nowak directed the rookie season of 14-year-old phenom Freddy Adu - the most celebrated debut in MLS history.
Nowak knew how to handle the hype.
"I was very lucky to fall under a great coaching staff that had played professional ball," said Mwanga, who lived in Congo until relocating to Portland, Ore., in 2006. "They knew exactly what to help me with.
"I also had some veteran players like [team captain] Danny Califf and Stefani Miglioranzi, who helped me and tried to take the pressure off of me."
Now, as the Union opened training yesterday for the 2011 season, Mwanga also has a year's experience, which has him better equipped to deal with being a high-profile young player.
He has not necessarily embraced the spotlight, but he is much more equipped to deal with it.
"My first year was more of just being about getting experience," Mwanga said. "I just wanted to learn as much as I can and get used to this level.
"Now, coming into my second year, I have to make sure I use what I learned during my first year. I need to do the things I did better, and the things I didn't do so well, I need to improve on.
"That's pretty much what my second year is going to be about."
Mwanga had a successful debut season, scoring seven goals with four assists. That was the highest combined mark among MLS rookies.
