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
