Patrick Nyarko
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Patrick Nyarko | ||
| Date of birth | January 15, 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Kumasi, Ghana | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Playing position | Forward, Winger | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Chicago Fire | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005 | Kaaseman | ||
| 2005–2007 | Virginia Tech Hokies | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2008– | Chicago Fire | 160 | (15) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2012– | Ghana | 1 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 11, 2013. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Patrick Nyarko (born January 15, 1986 in Kumasi) is a Ghanaian footballer who currently plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.
Career
College
After coming to the United States in 2005, Nyarko was a star forward and three-time All-ACC selection for the Virginia Tech Hokies soccer team, which played in the 2007 Division I Men's College Cup, falling to Wake Forest in the final four.
Nyarko, who finished his Virginia Tech career with 31 goals,[1] was called by coach Oliver Weiss, "the most incredible player I've ever coached"[2] and he is considered to be the best soccer player in Virginia Tech history.[1] Nyarko first met Weiss when the coach was on a recruiting trip to Ghana.
In Nyarko's freshman year, he scored the lone goal of his team's marquee win over then-#4 North Carolina.[3] Tech rose as high as #10 in the polls and earned its second trip in school history to the NCAA tournament. Nyarko was named the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman of the year and was named to the all-ACC team.
Following the 2007 season, in which the Hokies finished #8 in the final AP poll and played in the final four of the 2007 Division I Men's College Cup, Nyarko was named as a finalist for the Hermann Trophy.[4]
Professional
Nyarko decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. Widely predicted to be the first pick in the draft, Nyarko was selected 7th overall by the Chicago Fire.[5]
He made his MLS debut on June 15, 2008 against FC Dallas, and scored his first MLS goal on August 2, 2008 against Chivas USA.[6]
International career
Nyarko was called up to the Ghana squad to face Chile.[7] Nyarko made his Ghana debut against Chile on 29 February 2012 at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
See also
- List of current MLS players
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Berman, Mark (2008-01-15). "Nyarko taking kicks to MLS". Roanoke Times. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ Kilgore, Adam (2007-12-14). "Hokies' First College Cup a Foreign Concept". Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Tech Topples No. 4 Tar Heels". hokiesports.com. 2005-10-08. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Nyarko named MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist". hokiesports.com. 2007-12-15. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Nyarko, like others, needs time to develop". dailyherald.com. 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ↑ Fire get goal scorer in Nyarko
- ↑ "Nyarko Late Addition to Ghana Roster for Wednesday friendly vs. Chile". chicago-fire.com (Chicago Fire Soccer Club). 28 February 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
External links
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