Minnesota United Signs Versatile Attacking Midfielder
February 22, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Sunday, February 22nd, 2015) -- Minnesota United announced it has signed Ghanaian midfielder Kalif Alhassan. Alhassan is a veteran of U.S. soccer, having played five seasons with the Portland Timbers in USL and MLS.
"He's more versatile than many midfielders-he has played underneath the forwards, he's played up top, he's played a little bit wide too-he's a different player than we have on our roster, somebody who can be very aggresive offensively, and get in good spots in the final third to create opportunities for us," said Head Coach Manny Lagos. "We're excited to have a player like him on the team."
Alhassan will add depth to United's offense, as he can play both in the middle and outside and will provide power going forward.
A native of Accra, Alhassan began his professional career in 2007 with Liberty Professionals, a club that has developed greats like Michael Essien of A.C. Milan. The midfielder helped the club reach the semifinals of the 2009 West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Club Championship.
The 24-year-old then joined Portland midway through the 2010 USSF Division 2 season, scoring in his debut with the Timbers 1-0 against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Alhassan remained with the club through its transition to MLS the following year. He became the first Timbers player to win the MLS Player of the Week award in week one of 2012 for scoring a goal, providing an assist, and setting up the final goal in the team's 3-1 over the Philadelphia Union.
Alhassan played in each of Portland's MLS seasons, only playing with the reserves for part of 2013. He played 6,126 minutes in 110 appearances and scored seven goals in league play, as well as one goal in the CONCACAF Champions League against Guyana club Alpha United.
He has also been involved with Ghana's youth national teams, having played for the U-17 and U-20 National Teams.
Alhassan is currently training with the rest of the club in Arizona. This is the first of two preseason trips for United. The other will take place in March, as the Loons travel to Brazil.
Current Minnesota United roster:
Goalkeepers: Andrew Fontein, Mitch Hildebrandt
Defenders: Tiago Calvano, Justin Davis, Cristiano Dias, Brent Kallman, Brian Kallman, Tyler Polak, Kevin Venegas
Midfielders: Miguel Ibarra, Greg Jordan, Daniel Mendes, Aaron Pitchkolan, Jonny Steele, Juliano Vicentini, Jamie Watson, Kalif Alhassan
Forwards: Pablo Campos, Christian Ramirez, J.C. Banks
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North American Soccer League Stories from February 22, 2015
- Minnesota United Signs Versatile Attacking Midfielder - Minnesota United FC
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