Wake Forest’s Ghanaian winger Emmanuel Twumasi takes United States college soccer by storm!

Emmanuel Twumasi

Ghana’s Emmanuel Twumasi has vowed to help Wake Forest University win the greatest prize in United States college soccer competition.

Twumasi, a 20-year-old scholar at sophomore and a product of Right to Dream Academy of Ghana (RtD) as well as Kent School in Connecticut has taken college soccer by storm with his pace and knack for goals.

With two more years to complete college, the young Ghanaian winger can’t wait to win the ultimate in college soccer with the Demon Deacons who play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

“The ultimate target for me this year is to win the ACC and NCAA Championships with my team. We won the ACC last year but we lost the NCAA final through penalty kicks so my goal is to win the biggest prize in college soccer and that will be awesome”, Twumasi told Ghana Soccer US (www.ghsoccerus.net).

This season, Wake Forest have already chalked a winning streak of 11 games and a double-digit unbeaten streak for the second-straight season after going 11-0-2 over a 13-game stretch in 2016. With two regular season games remaining, the Deacs, who will be traveling to Boston College this weekend, can clinch a third-straight ACC Atlantic Division title and the top seed in the ACC Tournament with a win or draw against Boston College or Syracuse.

And this is why Twumasi thinks the Deacs, at number two, are the best in their division and that they also play the best of soccer nationally.

“We are looking at the possibilities of winning the ACC Championships and the NCAA Championships.

“We have a great chance of winning the ultimate – the NCAA. Our team plays one of the best soccer in the country and if we stay focused and disciplined, I think we can win the NCAA Championship”, he noted.

He said RtD brought him to Kent for education in 2012 but he persevered on the field of soccer and academics until he got a scholarship to Wake Forest in 2016.

“Combining academics with soccer was very difficult in high school but it is much more difficult in college. In college, you are always on the road, you will miss some classes and you have to catch up even when you are on the road playing games. The turnaround is so sharp in college, you can have a game on Saturday and play again on Tuesday so it is hard to balance both but we do it”.

He added that every day he goes on the field, he tries to be the best he can possibly be, to help his team win games and that, it has been his long term goal to play professionally since he was a kid.

“I think I am on the right path to achieve that goal. I don’t know when it’s going to be but my ultimate goal is to play professionally.

“The ultimate target for any young footballer is to represent his country. I won’t put a time limit on that but if I get the chance to represent any of the junior teams, I will be more than ready to show what I can do”, he stated.

Earlier this month, Twumasi was named the ACC Division I Offensive Player of the Week when he scored his seventh goal of the season. as a freshman, the Ghanaian appeared in 24 of Deacs’ 25 games. He finished the 2016 season with six goals and four assists for 16 points. The goal tally put him third on the team while the assist total tied him for the best mark in the team.

For more news on Ghanaian soccer players in North America visit Ghana Soccer US

It is always an honor to wear the national colors – Ghana and Miami FC’s Kwadwo Poku

Kwadwo Poku

Miami FC’s Ghanaian midfielder Kwadwo Poku says it will always be an honor for him to wear the national colors and that he has always been looking forward to getting more opportunities to represent his country.

Poku, 25, has been handed a late call up by the new technical team of the Black Stars led by coach Kwesi Appiah as the Ghanaians prepare for two friendly encounters with Mexico and USA on June 28 and July 1 respectively.

The midfielder’s only appearance for Ghana was on October 10, 2015 when the Black Stars held Canada to a 1-1 draw in Washington DC. In that game, Poku played only the last eight minutes but many pundits concluded after the game that the young midfielder could be useful for the Stars in the near future.

And according to the player, this may be the time to prove those pundits right.

“It is always an honor to wear the national colors. The last time, people saw what I can do even though the time I had was not enough but people who watched saw what I can do if I get a bigger chance. I know wearing the national jersey means you have to give your all irrespective of the nature of the competition”.

He said his desire to play for Ghana is not just because the team is making a trip to United States where he plies his trade but he was hopeful that he could represent Ghana in competitive games like the Cup of Nations or even World Cup.

“I am really looking forward to getting another opportunity. Not only because the Black Stars are coming to the USA again, but I am also looking at playing competitive games like the qualifiers, African Cup and the world Cup. I am always thinking about those games and I am hoping and praying that one day, it could reach my turn so I can give everything that I have to help the Black Star”.

Kwadwo Poku admitted that it has been difficult for players here in North America to break into the national teams because people back home in Ghana find it hard to watch American or Canadian soccer games due to time difference but he was hopeful that Ghanaians will spend time to watch the games here since there are lots of good talents on this side of the world.

“Back home in Ghana, the mindset about the leagues here is different. You can understand their point because they don’t get access to our matches. The leagues here cannot be compared to the Premiership or the La Liga but I must state that there are lots of good players and good coaches around the leagues here.

“Also, there are a lot of players in the NASL and MLS that play for their national teams. Even in the NASL, there are players playing for Jamaica, Trinidad &Tobago, Mexico and Canada”, Poku added.

For more stories on Ghanaian soccer players in North America, visit Ghana Soccer US

Ghana’s Accam, Boateng, Oduro and Sam among 176 MLS players vying for All-Star Fan XI spot

Dominic Oduro

Four Ghanaian players namely David Accam of Chicago Fire, LA Galaxy’s Emmanuel Boateng, Dominic Oduro of Montreal Impact as well as DC United’s Lloyd Sam have been named among the 176 Major League Soccer (MLS) players vying for the All-Star Fan XI.

The All-Star Fan XI will form Part of a 24-man 2017 MLS All-Star team that will host European giants and Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid in Chicago on August 2.

Three American players with various Ghanaian backgrounds also made the 176-man list after a team of MLS media selected eight players from each franchise. They are Philadelphia Union duo Derrick Jones and CJ Sapong as well as Gyasi Zardes of LA Galaxy.

David Accam

A total of 24 MLS players will be named All-Stars per the collective bargaining agreement. Media, fans, players, this year's All-Star coach, Veljko Paunovic of Chicago Fire and MLS Commissioner Don Garber will all contribute in the All-Star selection process.

The 24 players named the 2017 MLS All-Stars will be selected in three phases.

The first phase which is already underway is known as the Ballot creation. In this phase, media members determined the field of players – eight players per team – who are most deserving of consideration for this year’s MLS All-Star Game presented by Target and those 176 players including the four known Ghanaians are eligible for fan voting.

Emmanuel Boateng 

The fan voting which commenced on May 30 will end on June 30. In this process, fans will select the 2017 MLS All-Star Game Fan XI presented by Target. MLS fans have started voting on the free MLS app and voting will continue on MLSsoccer.com beginning June 3.

Via the EA SPORTS “More than a Vote” Challenge started on May 30, fans will score as many goals as possible with their favorite MLS All-Star forward candidate in FIFA 17, with one goal equaling one vote.

The forward with the most votes will occupy one of the forward spots on the 2017 MLS All-Star Game Fan XI presented by Target.

Lloyd Sam 

Another phase is known as the Team selection and this is reserved for the MLS All-Star head coach who will select the gameday roster from the pool of eligible players determined by the media as well as the 2017 MLS All-Star Game Fan XI presented by Target and MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s two selections.

Dominic Oduro

Read more on Ghanaian soccer players in the US and Canada on Ghana Soccer US 

MLS to pay close to $4.5 Million to Ghanaians in the league; Mensah and Accam are this season’s top Ghanaian earners!

From left to right: Ghana and DC United's Patrick Nyarko, Lloyd Sam and Kofi Opare

About 17 known Ghanaians in the Major League Soccer (MLS) would be paid a total of $4,432,129.00 as emoluments for the 2017 season.

The figure covers the total base salaries and guaranteed compensations for the year 2017; this is according to information available to the MLS Players Union.

Black Stars players Jonathan Mensah and David Accam are the top Ghanaian earners in the MLS with guaranteed compensations up to $844,000.00 and $820,937.50 respectively.

In a league with huge pay disparities, the total guaranteed compensations for all Ghanaians are not even up to how much the overall top earner of the league, Brazilian legend Kaka, who plays for Orlando City SC will take home at the end of the year 2017.

Kaka, 35, will receive a guaranteed compensation of $7,167,500.00 followed by Toronto FC striker Sebastian Giovinco ($7,115,555.6) and midfielder Michael Bradley ($6,500,000.00) to complete the top three earners in the league.

Other top earners in the MLS include Andrea Pirlo (Italy), New York City, ($5,915,690.00), David Villa (Spain), New York City, ($5,610,000.00), Giovani dos Santos (Mexico), LA Galaxy, ($5,500,000.0), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Chicago Fire, ($5,400,000.00), Jozy Altidore (US), Toronto, ($4,875,000.00), Clint Dempsey (US), Seattle Sounders, ($3,892,933.50), and Diego Valeri (Argentina), Portland Timbers ($2,607,500.00).

Individual salaries of Ghanaians in the league is a ‘chicken change’ as compared to that of the top earners in the league, but in reality, Ghanaian players must be content with whatever they are earning from the league, taking into consideration the economy of Ghana as well as their bargaining power.

In world soccer terms, the emoluments of some of these Ghanaian players in the league may be on the lower side but players in Ghana’s topflight soccer league will die for such figures.

Jonathan Mensah and David Accam are regarded as Designated Players for Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire and should have been at par with the likes of Kaka, Giovinco and the other top earners but this is a league that so called Designated Players come in with different bargaining powers, albeit, the rest below the Designated Player status negotiate their salaries through the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Ghana and Colorado Rapids midfielder Bismark Adjei-Boateng will take home a guaranteed compensation of $341,246.00 for the 2017 season followed by Montreal Impact’s Dominic Oduro with $330,000.00, New York Red Bulls’ Gideon Baah ( $315,500.00), Columbus Crew’s Harrison Afful ($296,666.67),  DC United’s Patrick Nyarko ($250,750.00 $) and Lloyd Sam ($250,000.00).

Philadelphia Union’s young Ghanaian defender Joshua Yaro will earn a total guaranteed compensation of $194,000.00 with Minnesota United FC striker Abu Danladi taking home $176,000.04 followed by Abu Mohammed of Columbus Crew ($171,250.00), DC United’s Kofi Opare ($120,000.00), LA Galaxy’s Emmanuel Boateng ($115,000.00), Sporting KC’s Latif Blessing ($74,379.00), Columbus Crew defender Abubakar Alhassan "Lalas" who is on loan at USL side Pittsburgh Riverhounds ($72,500.04),  Philadelphia Union midfielder Derrick Jones ($70,900.00) as well as Atlanta United’s Jeffrey Oblitey Otoo who is also on loan at USL side Charleston Battery ($53,000.00).

According to the MLS Players Union, the annual average guaranteed compensation number includes a player's base salary and all signing and guaranteed bonuses   annualized over the term of the player's contract, including option years.

  

For example, if a player has a base salary of $50,000, has a two-year contract with two one-year options and received a $10,000 bonus when he signed, his average annual guaranteed compensation would be $52,500 (base salary plus signing bonus ($10,000), with the signing bonus divided by the number of years covered by the contract (4)).

The average annual guaranteed compensation number also includes any annual marketing bonus to be received in the current year and any agent's fees annualized over the term of the contract.

However, the average annual guaranteed compensation figure does not include performance bonuses because there is no guarantee that the player will hit those bonuses.

For more stories on Ghanaian players in the MLS, visit Ghana Soccer US

Columbus Crew the new haven for Ghanaian players!

Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Columbus Crew SC is gradually becoming a haven for Ghanaian players. 

First, it was Black Stars defender Harrison Afful whose nearly two seasons with the Crew can be described as a huge success. 

Then last two weeks, young defender Alhassan Lalas Abubakar joined Columbus Crew as the fifth overall pick during the 2017 SuperDraft.

Columbus Crew head coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter was hopeful that Lalas Abubakar will complement Ghanaian compatriots Harrison Afful and Jonathan Mensah in defense. Mensah, who is currently on international duty with the Black Stars together with Afful, joined the Crew early January. 

The former Anzhi Makhachkala star will join a growing number of Ghanaians in the MLS when the 2017 season commences in March.

The 26-year-old Mensah was expected to play alongside Ghanaian teammate Afful in the heart of Columbus Crew SC’s defense after the Columbus outfit signed him on as a Designated Player. Then, came Lalas Abubakar, another Ghanaian defender. 

Columbus Crew's love story with Ghanaians did not end there.

The Crew on Tuesday announced that the club has acquired another Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Abu as a Special Discovery Player. 

Abu, 25, most recently played for Stromsgodset IF in Norway’s topflight. He will officially be added to the Black & Gold roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. Abu will occupy an international spot on the Black & Gold roster.

The 25-year-old midfielder has made 163 professional appearances (154 starts) across all competitions in Spain, France and Norway, scoring five goals and providing three assists. His previous experience includes playing for Stromsgodset IF in Norway’s Eliteserien, spending time in France’s First Division — Ligue 1 — with FC Lorient and featuring for Rayo Vallecano in La Liga — Spain’s topflight. 

The Ghanaian player also has experience in UEFA Champions League Qualifiers and UEFA Europa League Qualifiers. In 2011, while with Stromsgodset IF, he played against Atletico Madrid for 180 minutes over the course of two legs in an UEFA Europa League Qualifier.

“Mohammed is a talented, technical player that we believe will fit well into our system and style of play,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “Across his experience in Norway, France and Spain, we believe that a combination of his experience, skillset and character will be a good fit for Crew SC. We are glad to have him in Columbus and it is certainly an added bonus that he is familiar with the area as his wife has lived in Central Ohio.”

In all, Abu made 152 appearances (144 starts), scored five goals and contributed three assists over the course of six seasons with Stromsgodset IF. The midfielder was originally signed by Manchester City in August of 2010, before being sent on loan to Stromsgodset IF. 

He made his debut with the Eliteserien team in a home match against Molde FK in September of that year. That same season, Abu helped Stromsgodset IF win the Norwegian Football Cup, Norway’s Domestic Cup. 

From 2010-2012, Abu played alongside current Crew SC teammate Ola Kamara.

For more stories on Ghanaian soccer players in North America, log on to Ghana Soccer US

Ghana’s Abu Danladi is the first overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft

Ghana's Abu Danladi with MLS Commissioner Don Garber

 Ghana’s youngster Abu Danladi has been selected by Major League Soccer (MLS)’s expansion side Minnesota United as the first overall pick of the 2017 SuperDraft.

The first round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft selected at least three known Ghanaian soccer players with other players with Ghanaian backgrounds making the first and second round picks.

The SuperDraft is an annual event, taking place in January of each year, in which the teams of MLS select players who have graduated from college or otherwise been signed by the league.

Last year, Joshua Yaro, Richmond Laryea and Emmanuel Appiah made Ghana proud when they earned first round picks by their teams, with Yaro earning the second overall pick by Philadelphia Union.

Danladi, 21, has surpassed Yaro’s record after becoming the first overall pick of the 2017 edition as he joins expansion side Minnesota United.

Danladi was born in Takoradi, Ghana. He moved to the United States in 2011 as a product of the Right to Dream Academy – a program that helps talented children from West Africa fulfill their potential by providing educational and athletic opportunities. He attended Dunn High School, winning the 2013-14 Gatorade National Player of the Year award before committing to UCLA.

According to the head coach of Minnesota United, Adrian Heath, striker Danladi is a special talent and will get better with time.

“Just huge potential, there were two or three kids that we thought were very good players, but we just feel that the upside on this kid, the sky is the limit for him.

 “If we think he can do what he can do in the pro game and we think there is a lot of growth still in him as a player and as a person, then we could have a real special talent on our hands. I think the fact that nearly every club in MLS contacted us at some point too, talking about maybe wanting to trade for the pick tells us what everyone else thinks about him as well.”

Also making the first round pick is young defender Alhassan Lalas Abubakar who joins Columbus Crew SC as the fifth overall pick.

Columbus Crew head coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter is hopeful that Lalas Abubakar will complement Ghanaian compatriot Harrison Afful and Jonathan Mensah at the heart of defense.

“With Lalas, he’s a very competitive guy. A lot of resiliency and very physically strong. We expect him to help out on the back line.”

In 2014, Abubakar was named Third Team NSCAA All-Midwest Region and Second Team All-Ohio. He was also named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, UAB All-Tournament Team as well as the Dayton Defensive Player of the Year.

As a junior in 2015, Abubakar was First Team NSCAA All-Midwest Region, First Team All-Ohio, First Team Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team and once again named the Dayton Defensive Player of the Year. He was also on the Academic All-Ohio team.

In his final year of college, Abubakar was Second Team NSCAA All-Midwest Region, First Team Atlantic 10 All-Conference and the Atlantic 10 Conference Defender of the Year.

“I want to thank Columbus Crew SC for believing in me and then giving me a great opportunity. I really appreciate it and I can’t wait to start with the club”, the young Ghanaian defender noted after his selection.

Another Ghanaian product of Right to Dream, Dominic Oduro (not Dominic Oduro of Montreal Impact) was picked by Seattle Sounders as the 44^th overall pick.

Some other players with Ghanaian connections were selected. They include DC United’s number 12 pick Chris Odoi-Atsem, Seattle Sounders’ 22^nd pick Brian Nana-Sinkam as well as New York City FC’s number 16 pick Kwame Awuah.

Ghana’s Harrison Afful named Columbus Crew’s defender of the season!

Ghanaian defender Harrison Afful has been voted the best defender for Columbus Crew SC in the 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.

With the conclusion of Columbus Crew’s 2016 season, the Club unveiled its 2016 team honors — including the Barbasol Most Valuable Player, Golden Boot  Winner, Defender of the Year, OhioHealth Humanitarian of the Year, Kirk Urso Heart Award and Crew SC Academy Player of the Year.

According to the club, second-year Crew SC defender Harrison Afful showcased both his high defensive skills as well as his ability to support the offense in the 2016 MLS season and has earned the club’s Defender of the Year award.

Afful, who is also ranked as MLSsoccer.com’s top right fullback in the League this season, recorded 76 interceptions, three goals and three assists in 30 games played and started.

Among all MLS defenders, the Black Stars right fullback made the most touches in the opposing box (73), the most recoveries (203), the second-most overall touches (2,378) and the fourth-most successful passes (1,216).

Afful was in the lineup for all eight of Crew SC’s shutouts this season. His three goals and three assists were both tied for third-most among the League’s defenders.

For more on Ghanaian soccer players in North America, log on to www.ghsoccerus.net

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