Gershon Koffie: “I am open to Ghana, Canada call ups”

Gershon Koffie of New England Revolution 

Ghana and New England midfielder, Gershon Koffie says he is open to both Ghana and Canada call ups and that he will gladly accept invitation from any of these two countries.

Gershon was a member of the 2011 Black Satellites group that competed in the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in South Africa but is yet to earn a call up into the senior national team, the Black Stars.

The former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder who holds a Canadian passport is eligible to play for Canada as well.

“I am a proud Ghanaian, was born and bred in Ghana. I have my Canadian passport and that is also good for me and my family.

“If Ghana gives me a call, I will play; if Canada gives me a call, I will play”.

He said his focus for now is to give off his best for his new club since the decision to play for Ghana is not in his hands.

“Ghanaians know I am a Ghanaian, but they have not given me a call yet; that is their decision. But if Canada decides to give me a call today, I will play for them”, Gershon noted.

Asked whether he had an encounter with Black Stars coach Avram Grant when he (Grant) last visited North America, the midfielder said “the Black Stars coach was in United States, he did not come to Canada even though, he knew Dominic Oduro and myself are in Canada”.

But why is Gershon Koffie still open to both Ghana and Canada options?

“Like I said, I am a proud Ghanaian, born and raised in Ghana, but Canada has been good to me and my family since I came here so if Canada gives me a call up today, I will play for them”, he reiterated.

On the much debated subject regarding the competitive nature of the Major League Soccer (MLS), Gershon said the MLS is competitive.

“From my day one in 2011, this league has been competitive. And it improves every year.

“Many Ghanaians don’t watch our games because of the time difference but if they can sacrifice to stay awake and watch MLS games, they will see that this league is much better than a lot of the countries”.

He was pleased to see more Ghanaians in the MLS.

“It is good that many Ghanaians are coming into this league. I will love to see more Ghanaians in this league because they can also help improve the league”.

Gershon also took time to explain his move from Vancouver to New England that was in exchange for general allocation money and targeted allocation money.

“This league has a trade, and I had only one year left to play for Vancouver. They would have lost if I didn’t move. So they asked if I wanted to move and I chose to move to New England because I knew their assistant coach”.

He said life in New England has been great and just like every player, he was hoping to play week after week.

He was however, saddened by the fact that he will miss Friday’s home encounter against New York Red Bulls due to suspension, but was still looking forward to meet Ghanaian compatriots Lloyd Sam and Gideon Baah who play for the New Yorkers.

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2016 MLS: Promising start for Ghana’s Dominic Oduro and David Accam; others yet to click with their clubs

Ghana's Dominic Oduro and Gideon Baah tussle for the ball 

Two of Ghana’s representation in the Major League Soccer (MLS), have started the 2016 season on a promising note.

Dominic Oduro has already garnered two goals and an assist for Montreal Impact in the two-week-old league. His efforts have propelled Montreal to the summit of the Eastern Conference standings.

Oduro registered his first goal during the season opener and added another goal in the second week when Montreal dismissed a New York Red Bulls side that included two Ghanaians in the persons of defender Gideon Baah and winger Lloyd Sam by 3-0.

The game aroused the interest of soccer loving Ghanaians because there were three Ghanaians involved but Oduro, who played 80 minutes, and his Montreal teammates laughed last.

Chicago Fire have picked just a single point from two games but David Accam’s explosive start to the season has grabbed the headlines.

With some incredible pace, Accam has scored twice and assisted once. Last Friday, Accam put up a splendid show to help Chicago secure a point on the road after a 1-1 draw with Orlando City.

Midfielder Gershon Koffie played another influential role for New England Revolution when they were held to a goalless draw by DC United. Koffie played 88 minutes for New England but Kofi Opare was an unused substitute for DC United.

It was a baptism of fire for young Emmanuel Boateng who opened his MLS accounts for LA Galaxy on a losing note. He was in action for 23 minutes when Colorado Rapids defeated LA Galaxy by a lone goal.

Harrison Afful and his Columbus Crew are yet to taste a win after a 1-2 loss at home to Philadelphia Union. Afful played the entire game but that was not enough to save the Crew.

Goalkeeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey was also on the vanquished side when Portland Timbers succumbed to San Jose Earthquakes by 2-1.

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Is David Accam faster than Theo Walcott?

Ghana's David Accam celebrating his goal against Orlando City

Ghana’s David Accam’s quick feet in the Major League Soccer (MLS) are now subject for discussions.

Even before the 2016 MLS commenced, pundits predicted Accam’s pace would pose problems for defenders.

“All it takes is one step for Accam to create something out of nothing”, noted a www.mlssoccer.com feature.

The 2016 MLS is only two weeks old and the Chicago Fire’s Ghanaian winger is already living up to expectations as his performances drawn into comparison with Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.

Orlando City center back Seb Hines was honest enough to own up to being bettered by Accam’s sheer speed in their week 2 encounter.

“I thought my positioning was pretty good,” Hines said.

 “But his speed is just scary. I played against Theo Walcott of Arsenal when he was 17 and thought he was scary fast, but this kid is probably just as quick. It’s tough to go up against that”, Seb Hines indicated.

Chicago Fire coach Veljko Paunovic praised Accam for his speed which he described as a game changer.

 “He has great talent and amazing speed and ability. Today was one of those when he showed us a lot. He has the ability to change a game and always gives his best for the team”, coach Paunovic stated.

Orlando City coach Adrian Heath hailed Accam’s goal as “a great goal”!

“I didn’t expect to be pressing in their area and then 10 seconds later, the ball is in our net. It showed what the kid has”, astounded Adrian Heath concluded.

So is David Accam that fast? Is he faster than Arsenal’s Theo Walcott?

Visit www.ghsoccerus.net for more stories on Ghanaian players in the US and Canada!

A young Ghanaian soccer player’s dream

Meet one of Ghana’s youngest sensational soccer players Festus Appau.

Young Festus Appau currently plays for Anokye Stars in Kumasi and is ready to grab an opportunity to dazzle soccer fans in New York City, USA.

Bronx Supreme FC, a soccer club in Bronx, New York, have extended an invitation to the starlet to train with the team and also feature in the upcoming New York African Cup organized by the African Advisory Council of the Bronx as well as the opportunity to represent Ghana in the annual 2016 Cosmos Copa tournament organized by the New York Cosmos in July 2016.

The 17-year old prodigy who can play as a midfielder and striker once caught the eyes of the technical handlers of Ghana’s national U-17 side, the Black Starlets in 2014.

In that same year, he embarked on a European tour with his team to United Kingdom for a six-team invitational tournament.

During their stay in UK Appau and his teammates played against the likes of Whetstone Wanderers, Omonia Gold FC, Whetstone Lynx, Whetstone Lions, Whetstone Pumas and Enfield Town Blue.

Appau and his local team from Ghana were the eventual winners of the tournament.

Appau believes this will be a great opportunity to gain valuable experience both on and off the field of play that will serve him well in the future.

 Visit www.ghsoccerus.net for more stories on Ghanaian players in United States and Canada!

Ghana’s David Accam and Kwadwo Poku among players to watch in the 2016 MLS!

Ghana’s David Accam and Kwadwo Poku have been named among players expected to shine in the 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) season for their respective clubs.

In a club by club season guide provided by www.mlssoccer.com, Accam and Poku were touted as some of the players to keep the fire burning in the 2016 MLS.

“All it takes is one step for Accam to create something out of nothing”, noted www.mlssoccer.com.

It further indicated that after 10 goals in 2015, Chicago Fire’s new Serbian coach Veljko Paunovic will be looking for even more from the 25-year-old Ghanaian.

Accam, according to the season guide, is projected to feature prominently in Chicago Fire’s lineup in the 10-month season.

Even though Kwadwo Poku is not projected to start every game for New York City FC, www.mlssoccer.com says Patrick Vieira thinks he (Poku) can be better than in his breakthrough 2015 season.

Poku's captain and teammate, David Villa, who has seen it all in international soccer, thinks “Poku will be incredible in the future”.

He may not feature prominently in a projected 4-3-3 lineup for NYCFC but MLS experts have touted him as one of the sleeper picks for the New Yorkers.

This simply means that Poku has the potential for a huge year relative to his debut season.

Apart from Accam and Poku, other Ghanaian players were given a huge mention in the club by club season guide.

It is widely projected that Harrison Afful will feature prominently for Columbus Crew and barring injuries and suspensions, would play week after week for the Crews.

New York Red Bulls’ projected lineup indicates that two Ghanaians will feature prominently. Newly signed Gideon Baah’s place as a defender is assured while Lloyd Sam is expected to continue from where he left off last season.

Patrick Nyarko’s move from Chicago Fire to DC United is also believed to be key for the Washington lads. Experts believe he will have a great season with DC United and will start many games.

Adam Larsen Kwarasey was key for Portland Timbers in their championship winning feat and is widely expected to keep the posts for the Timbers in the upcoming season.

Gershon Koffie also made a move from Vancouver Whitecaps to New England Revolution and is widely projected to feature prominently for New England.

Joshua Yaro was drafted by Philadelphia Union during the SuperDraft and is widely tipped to play more games for the Philadelphia side while Richmond Laryea, born to Ghanaian parents in Canada, has been touted as a sleeper pick for Orlando City.

Another young Ghanaian, Emmanuel Boateng is also tipped to be a sleeper pick and believed to be a potential for a huge season.

Visit www.ghsoccerus.net for more on Ghanaian players in the MLS!