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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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?

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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!