Photo by Tracy Allen/ISIphotos.com
Dominic Oduro won't be the only member of the Chicago Fire getting his first taste of international soccer in Wednesday's Ghana-Chile friendly at PPL Park.
Patrick Nyarko has been called in as a late addition to Ghana's roster, marking his first call-up on the international level. According to the Fire's official website, a pair of Ghanaian strikers had visa issues that prevented them from making the trip, and according to the Ghana FA, Jordan and Andre Ayew also pulled out of the squad due to injury, giving Nyarko his chance.
For the speedy Nyarko, whose career path from Ghana to the United States has been chronicled by SBI, the oportunity is his first on the international stage. In past comments, Nyarko, who holds a green card, alluded to being open to playing for the United States, but he is not yet a U.S. citizen, leaving one option on the table.
"The chance of playing for the U.S. is something I just said at the time," Nyarko told the Fire's website. "It was me answering a hypothetical question of 'if the chance presents itself.' Right now the opportunity has come with Ghana, and that's all there is to it."
Here are a couple of more items from around MLS:
IMPACT USING WENGER AT FORWARD
When he came out of college, No. 1 overall 2012 MLS SuperDraft pick Andrew Wenger projected to be used as a defensive midfielder or a centerback on the professional level despite succeeding as a forward in his last year at Duke. He starred as a centerback for Blue Devils in 2010 and has played there for the U.S. Under-23 national team as well.
His most recent showing for the Montreal Impact has convinced the club's technical staff that he may belong up top, though.
Montreal coach Jesse Marsch has liked what he has seen from Wenger in a forward role, hinting that he could be an answer at striker for the club. He showed well in a friendly against Sporting Kansas City, setting up Mike Fucito for the club's lone goal.
"He has all the tools to be effective at lots of different positions," Marsch told TSN. "That's why everybody's played him all over. But I look at him as an attacking player and primarily as a forward."
Wenger scored 17 goals last season at Duke, winning ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors.
CHIVAS BLANKED BY AIK
Chivas USA's uneven preseason continued Monday night, as the club was shut out by Swedish side AIK 2-0 in the Portland Tournament at Jeld-Wen Field. Viktor Lundberg and Lalawele Atakora scored on either end of halftime to account for AIK's goals.
Juan Pablo Angel had a first-half goal whistled back for being offside after newcomer Miller Bolanos played him through for the Goats' best chance. Chivas put out a largely first-choice lineup for the match but fell to 3-6-0 against all competition in the preseason.
Chivas will play against the Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes as part of the tournament later in the week.
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What do you think about Oduro and Nyarko getting chances with Ghana? Do you think Montreal should be using Wenger at forward? What's your take on Chivas USA's outlook going forward?
Share your thoughts below.