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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Ghana’s Emmanuel Boateng powers LA Galaxy to MLS Cup semis with two Messi-like goals!

Ghana’s young and sensational midfielder Emmanuel Boateng became the star attraction of the first knockout round of the Audi 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup after scoring two Messi-like goals to power LA Galaxy to the Western Conference semifinals of the Playoffs.

On a high stage of the MLS Playoffs, many pundits would have expected Galaxy’s big name stars like Robbie Keane, Steve Gerard, Giovani dos Santos, Landon Donavan and co to make the difference but it was the young Ghanaian midfielder who put up a star performance to defeat Real Salt Lake 3-1 to book a semifinal date with Colorado Rapids.

Young Emmanuel Boateng 

The night almost became a nightmare for the Ghanaian when the referee harshly penalized him on the 21^st minute for his defensive commitment to award a penalty to Real Salt Lake to cancel Alan Gordon’s 14^th minute opener for LA.

The harsh decision by the referee did not discourage the 22-year-old midfielder; rather, it spurred him on to put up a show of the night as he became the cynosure of the game, lasting 76 minutes for coach Bruce Arena.

He quickly took up the challenge and scored two wonderful goals in the 26^th and 34^th minute to take LA to the next stage.

On the 26^th minute, Boateng rounded off four defenders to slot in his first goal of the night before capitalizing on his pace to score his personal second and LA’s third on the 34^th minute to take the game beyond Real Salt Lake.

“Excellent game”! “We’ve been looking for him to break out a little bit and he did today”, head coach Bruce Arena said of Boateng’s performance.

“I think he had two great goals. He really didn't foul the player [Javier Morales] on the penalty kick, which was unfortunate, but I think it got him a little angry and he made up for it for sure.”

It was Boateng’s fourth goal of the season, all of which have come against the Claret-and-Cobalt of Real Salt Lake.

When asked what it is about RSL that gets him in the mood, Boateng’s response was simple: “I don’t know”.  “I prepare for that game [against RSL] just as I prepare for every other game. I just take what the defense gives me.”

America’s most revered soccer player Landon Donavan likened Boateng’s goals to Barcelona star Lionel Messi’s.

“If Messi scored a goal like that, people would be talking about it for weeks. These guys have been telling me, since I’ve been back, that he has that in him. He was terrific and we need him to play like that,” Donovan concluded.

On April 26 this year, Emmanuel Boateng announced his presence in the MLS proper when he was voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 8 by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). 

Boateng picked up the Week 8 award after starring in LA's 5-2 win over previously unbeaten Real Salt Lake, scoring his first Galaxy goal and adding two assists in LA's big home win.

But even before that, Boateng made his intention known when he told Ghana Soccer US (www.ghsoccerus.net) that: “For this season with LA, it is definitely to get to the championship games and then to win it. And for me personally, I am just trying to improve every day, get more minutes and help the team any way that I can. Also getting a few goals and creating assists and just impress every time I get on the field”.

In the other first round game, Joshua Yaro’s Philadelphia Union failed to progress when they lost 3-1 to Toronto FC. Yaro was still absent following his scary injury at the closing stage of the regular season.

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

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Ghana’s David Accam voted Chicago Fire’s MVP for second consecutive season!

Accam

Ghana winger David Accam has been named as Chicago Fire’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second consecutive season.

Accam’s superlative performances in the 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup won him the honor. He also won the club’s top scorer award after scoring 14 goals in all competitions in the season under review.

Accam

Chicago Fire made the announcement on Monday during its annual team awards.

Even though Accam was sidelined for at least six weeks during the season, he still managed to play 24 league matches for the Fire. He scored nine goals and tallied five assists in the regular season.

The Black Stars winger also scored in all of the Fire’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup matches, including a brace in the Fire’s 2-1 win over Columbus Crew SC in the Round of 16 on June 28.

He was also the top scorer in the US Open Cup.

MVP Accam

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

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Four Ghanaians in one MLS game?

Dominic Oduro

Four Ghanaians are expected to take the centre stage when DC United welcome Eastern conference opponents Montreal Impact to the RFK Stadium on Sunday in the 21^st week fixture of the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season.

Patrick Nyarko’s return to full fitness means three Ghanaians are available for DC United’s coach Ben Olsen.

Nyarko has been working on his fitness after suffering a concussion that ruled him out for some time. He benefitted from another recovery exercise after replacing fellow Ghanaian and newly acquired player Lloyd Sam on the 71^st minute against Toronto FC last weekend.

Patrick Nyarko

Sam himself is settling in well with his new teammates following his surprise move from New York Red Bulls, and could be handed another starting role on Sunday, just like defender Kofi Opare who has remained consistent at the heart of DC’s defense.

Visitors Montreal Impact are also likely to start Ghanaian striker Dominic Oduro in attack due to Didier Drogba and Ignacio Piatti’s involvement in the MLS-All Star game against Premiership side Arsenal on Thursday.

DC United are undefeated in five home matches all-time against the Impact with a record of three victories and two draws.

Both sides have met 11 times since the Canadian side joined the MLS in 2012, with DC leading the all-time season series with five victories, three draws and three defeats.

The above records may tilt the scales in favor of the three Ghanaians and their home side but Oduro and his Montreal teammates may have other ideas.

Lloyd Sam

Another Ghanaian returning from a long injury lay off is midfielder Gershon Koffie who plays for New England Revolution.

Koffie made a brief cameo when Revolution defeated Chicago Fire last weekend. The Ghanaian will be hoping for more playing time when New England travel to Orlando City FC.

Coach Jay Heaps can’t wait to see Koffie back to full fitness.

“We’re excited about his progression, he was awesome for us the beginning half of the year and getting him back in gives us a lot more depth. We need to get him fully fit and ready to go. It was good to get his feet back in the water”, the coach said about Koffie’s return.

Kofi Opare

Winger Emmanuel Boateng will be hoping for another playing role when LA Galaxy travel to Seattle Sounders while Joshua Yaro’s Philadelphia Union play host to Real Salt Lake.

Striker David Accam’s Chicago Fire are at home to New York Red Bulls with Toronto FC welcoming Harrison Afful’s Columbus Crew SC.

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

(Ghana Soccer US) 

Pursuing academic excellence while playing soccer to the top – Ghana and USAO’s Veronica Owusu’s dream!

Veronica Owusu

Ghana is blessed with many soccer talents. No wonder many Ghanaian scholars in the various colleges and universities in the United States and Canada end up playing soccer for their various schools during their academic pursuit.

One such school benefitting from Ghana’s soccer reserve is the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO).

There were at least four Ghanaians – two women and two men – who represented USAO during last season’s college soccer league.

This profile by Ghana Soccer US (www.ghsoccerus.net) takes a closer look at young female player and scholar Veronica Owusu.

Young Veronica is currently a senior at USAO. As a talented central midfielder, the 21-year old Ghanaian has combined her soccer talents with her academic prowess that has gotten her this far.

She completed Wesley Girls Senior High School in Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest city in 2012 and got scouted for USAO on 2013.

As Veronica puts it, it is not just her soccer talents that got her an admission at USAO but she was academically good as well.

Last year, Veronica helped USAO to qualify to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Soccer National Championship after dispatching the likes of Oklahoma City University, South West Assemblies of God, Mid American Christian University, Wayland Baptist University as well as St. Gregory University in their conference.

In 2014, Veronica played in eight games during her second season as a Drover and took pressure off the offensive attack.

2013 was her freshman season and she played in half the games and saw five starts.

Before moving to US, Veronica played for Kumasi-based Ashtown Ladies in Ghana’s National Women’s League.

Veronica who is looking forward to playing professionally in the United States believes she has the potentials to play soccer to the highest level and that she is hopeful that she will play alongside some of the best female soccer players one day.

The possibility of playing for Ghana’s Black Queens one day is also on her cards.

“If the opportunity comes for me to represent my country one day, I will take it”, she said.

However, her current ambition is to focus on her education and play her hearts out for USAO in the upcoming NAIA soccer season scheduled for August.

Her advice for fellow students and female soccer players is simple: “Focus on whatever you want to do and never give up on your dreams”.

READ MORE ON GHANAIAN SOCCER PLAYERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA ON  Ghana Soccer US  

I want to be a credible player while selling Ghana soccer– Ghana’s Josh Yaro

Ghana and Philadelphia Union defender Joshua Yaro has exclusively revealed to Ghana Soccer US (www.ghsoccerus.net) that his avowed mission in the Major League Soccer (MLS) is to improve and become a credible player while contributing massively to the success of his club as well as the image of Ghana soccer.

Yaro’s solid displays at the centre of the Union’s defense have helped propel the team to the summit of the Eastern Conference table and he has never disappointed ever since coach Jim Curtin reposed confidence in him and handed him a starting role as a rookie against Seattle Sounders in the fifth week.

The young Ghanaian has gone on to play six consecutive games for the Union. And, according to him, the sky is just the limit.

“As a player, you will like to play as many games as possible and do well in every game that you play. And as an individual, I will ask myself how can I improve?

“Coming into the league, I knew I will get the opportunity to play and do well, that has been my dream; a lot of us come from the college system and don’t even get a contract and some of us don’t get to play in the league, so this is a special moment for me and it is a blessing to be part of a team like Philadelphia Union. It is a great feeling to wear the jersey and go to the field to represent the team.

“Whenever I get the opportunity to play, I will go out there and do my best and try to make the best out of the opportunities I get. It is not everyone that can get this opportunity, there are a lot of players out there that are hoping to get the opportunity that I have so every opportunity that I get to represent the Union on the field of play is great so and I am always going to make the best out of it”.

Yaro is hopeful that Philadelphia will benefit from his good form in their bid to win the MLS cup.

“We have our eyes on the playoffs and hopefully win the championship. That is the dream of every team but the team we have this year is a group of talented and motivated guys so I think with dedication and hard work, winning the championship is an attainable goal and overall, this season will be a good season for us”.

According to the Georgetown University product, Philadelphia Union coach, Jim Curtin has already played significant roles in his young career.

“He is really influential, he is someone that I respect, trust and look up to. He is someone that when I speak to and walk away, I say to myself this is the kind of coach I need.

“He is always encouraging me and pushing me to do my best. He always point out my mistakes to me and give me guidelines that I need to proceed as a player.

“I know he has some vision for me and a way to develop me as a player and I trust him 100 percent. So far, he has proven that he has a plan for me and he will see to it that I reach my potentials”, Yaro said about his coach.

The 21-year old defender believes he and his Ghanaian compatriots in the MLS have done enough to sell Ghana soccer in North America through their wonderful exploits in the league.

“We are adding a lot to the image of Ghana soccer because Ghanaians that play in the league are doing fairly well and are representing the country really well.

“It is good for us individually and it is also good for Ghana as a country because a lot of scouts from the league could look for players in Ghana to come and play in the league. Playing well here means a lot of interests from the MLS will come to Ghana which will be fantastic because there are lots of talents in Ghana”.

The young defender said he will be honored to play for Ghana one day.

“I am ready for any challenge that comes my way, either to get a national call up now, or it might take a while to establish myself as a credible player before I get a call up but at the same time, I will be honored anytime I get called up into a national team.

“I don’t know if the Ghanaian authorities look at players in the MLS, so that could be a factor but I will be honored if I get the call up. I could have been fortunate if the U-23 have gone to the Olympics though”, Yaro indicated adding “remember that Harrison Afful and David Accam played for the national team when they were not in the MLS so hopefully, once those players are here now, the MLS will attract some Ghanaian eyes and some Ghanaians playing well in the league can get the opportunity to represent Ghana”.

NB: Watch out for a full Q&A with Joshua Yaro on the feature page of  www.ghsoccerus.net

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It would be a great feeling to wear Ghana’s colors – LA Galaxy’s Emmanuel Boateng

Emmanuel Agyenim Boateng 

Ghana and LA Galaxy’s young midfielder Emmanuel Boateng says playing for Ghana one day would be a great feeling and a dream come true.

The former Helsingborg winger has been sensational in the 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) for LA Galaxy capping his superlative performance last weekend with a goal and two assists against the then undefeated Real Salt Lake.

Boateng, 22, made the headlines in his second start of the season with some electrifying runs on the left side of Galaxy’s attack that helped secure the three points for LA.

Speaking on wide range of issues on Ghana Soccer US (www.ghsoccerus.net),  Boateng said he will cherish a national call up in future.

“That is what we all dream of. It will definitely be a dream come true to represent my nation. It will be a great feeling for sure to be there – something that I have dreamt of in all 22 years of my life”.

He said his mindset is to take up any opportunity that will come his way and that includes representing his country in future. This, he believes can come at any time, hence his resolve to give off his best anytime he plays for LA Galaxy.

“It could be two years or even three months from now, who knows? Players develop from different rates and opportunities come in different ways”, Boateng indicated, adding “I may be called in to deputize for a player who has taken a knock or suspended; I step in, play my best and the coach is eager; I could be called into the national team soon or if that does not happen and I keep developing sturdily, I may be called into the national team two or three years from now.

“In this business, things change very quickly and you just have to grab any opportunity giving to you. I mean it could be anytime; may be two months from now or whenever the coaches think I am ready”, Boateng intimated.

He was of the view that a national team call up will only come when he plays well for LA.

“It has been my mindset to push my limit and prove to my coaches anytime I step on the field. I have to take care of everything here first and then the national team will come naturally. If I am not playing well here when the opportunity is giving to me, then I will close the door on that but I have to first take care of things here and if I am able to do that, all other opportunities will come”.

But does Boateng believe Ghanaian players in North America have been overlooked by Ghana national team selectors?

“I don’t think so yet, it might be the case for other players but for me, I think the guys who get called to the national team are the guys who have proven themselves”, he answered.

He said his chances of playing for the Black Stars are brighter.

“I think I can go in and do a good job but it all depends on me taking care of things here first. I know it is in the near future and I am waiting for it but I don’t think I have been overlooked.

“My chances are coming soon and it is up to me to do my work. Some other players might say they’ve been overlooked and I don’t disagree with them. It is case by case situation and in my situation, I am only 22 and I think the guys that are called deserved to be called but my time is coming soon. I have to keep my head down, keep working hard, and hopefully, soon, I will get a call up”, he stated.

Boateng further stressed that one’s chances of playing for his nation must not be linked to the league he plays in.

“People shouldn’t judge the player based on the league he is playing in; rather, we have to look at what the player does when he enters the field.  Is he able to change the game? Is he doing the job better than whoever you are trying to call?

“The ideal situation should be how the player is performing and how he will fit into the national team. This is how they should judge it and I think so far, they’ve been doing a good job.

“Every player will like to be in the national team. It is up to Avram Grant and his crew to make sure they call the right guys and from where I see things, I think he is calling the guys that he thinks can help the team”, Boateng indicated.

According to the young Ghanaian winger, his only target for the season is to get more games and help LA Galaxy to the postseason.

“For this season with LA, it is definitely to get to the championship games and then to win it. And for me personally, I am just trying to improve every day, get more minutes and help the team any way that I can. Also getting a few goals and creating assists and just impress every time I get on the field”.

He said playing for LA Galaxy presents a rare opportunity for him to learn from all the big stars like Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and others and that their presence will motivate him to get to their level as well.

“Those guys have already achieved great stuff in their lives; the best way to look at it is the motivation that one will get from these players. These are the guys that I have the great opportunity to learn from every day, they’ve done it at the highest level and created something magnificent for themselves.

“That is the level I want to be. I watch them every day at training, try to study their game, ask them questions on how to improve my own game and they’ve been great guys so far, trying to help everybody in the team and they come together as a group and help each other so I think it is a great opportunity that I get to play with them at a certain point of their careers.

He also revealed that the huge presence of those top stars was an initial concern to him but he concentrated more on the positives of playing for such a big club than the negatives.

“It was a little bit of concern but the other aspect is that it is a long season, there are international duties so I knew there will be chances for me to play. 

“I thought about all those big players but I also thought it was going to be a great team to play for and learn from these guys and play with them. For me it was all about settling in and playing together as a team instead of thinking about myself alone. Obviously I have to look into how I can get more games but I have to earn it so that is the challenge they have added to it.

“They’ve all established something for themselves that gives them an edge. It is great playing with them and hopefully, I will keep getting better every day and earn myself a permanent start in the team “, Boateng added.

But is Emmanuel Beateng aspiring to play in the top European leagues one day?

“Those are the top leagues. I am only 22 and from how I see everything, I can improve from here so that is a definite possibility and that is something I think about but it will depend on me to put in more work day in and day out to create more opportunity for myself.

“So when that time comes, we will know but is definitely something that I am looking into. It is great playing here but playing in the top leagues in Europe is also a different challenge that I will want to try at some point of my career so we will see how things work out from here”, he concluded.

NB: Watch out for a full Q&A with Emmanuel Boateng on the feature page of www.ghsoccerus.net

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Kwadwo Poku looking forward to play more games with New York City FC

Kwadwo Poku

Young Ghanaian midfielder Kwadwo Poku is looking forward to play more games for Major League Soccer side New York City FC.

Before the commencement of the 2016 MLS, Poku was named among players expected to shine in the league.

Even though he was not projected to start every game for NYCFC, Coach Patrick Vieira predicted that he (Poku) could be better than in his breakthrough 2015 season when he became the darling boy of the fans.

Poku, who had four goals and seven assists in 27 appearances, including six starts, a year ago, was an unused substitute in NYCFC’s first three games but managed to play 76 minutes in their fourth game against Gershon Koffie’s New England Revolution.

After that game, Poku said he gave his best to the team.

“It was my first game for the season with the team. I personally think I made an impression to the coach.

‘I have been with these guys over a year now. I think we understand each other very well”.

Poku admitted that he will need to work hard to get more playing time under coach Vieira even though he does not believe the presence of the big guys are affecting his playing chances.

“Every player will be looking for more games. I am really looking forward to play more games.

“I don’t think my playing chances are affected by the presence of the big guys. The coaches know better. They know what I can bring to the team and we all are different kinds of players so their presence does not affect me in any way”.

The young midfielder said he was learning a lot from those experienced players in order to sharpen his own skills.

“They’ve played in the higher leagues and the World Cups. It is every player’s dream to play at that level so I respect them a lot and I really take a lot of advice from them”.

Kwadwo Poku intimated that NYCFC are on the right track as they prepare to host David Accam’s Chicago Fire this weekend.

“We are pushing; we’ve lost a game so far out of four games. I don’t think it is a bad start but this is not where we want to be - winning a game, tying two games and losing one – at the same time it is better than losing all those games. So I think we are still on the right track”.

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