Samuel Inkoom of DC United gets chatty with #TheAfricanDream

Samuel Inkoom of Ghana is one of the newest signings to join USA Major League Soccer (MLS) side DC United this year. We recently visited the Ghanaian soccer player and had a chat about his new club in the Washington DC area, his expectations for the season and take on American soccer.

The two time Ghana World Cup player debut for his new club on Tuesday September 16, 2014 in Jamaica where he played against Waterhouse FC in the CONCACAF Champions League. DC United won by 2-1 with their second goal coming from a Fabián Espíndola header of a ball that was crossed by Samuel Inkoom.

‘My career begun back home in Ghana in 2006 when I was given my big break by Sekondi Hasaacas FC, the Ghanaian Premier league club in my hometown of Sekondi Takoradi. From there on it has been a forward march that saw me play for clubs in Switzerland, Ukraine, France, Greece and top Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko too’ the player reminisces.

25 year old Samuel Inkoom says he is very excited to be in the Washington DC area of the USA, noting that the opportunity to debut for DC United at the CONCACAF —— the most prestigious international club competition in North American football —— is truly a sign of the great things to come in his future.

Winner of the CONCACAF automatically qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup and even though Inkoom did not get called to assist Ghana in its Africa Nations Cup bid this year, he says he intends to use his time in the USA to prove himself and show all his fans across the world and especially the new ones in DC that ‘I came  to win matches’.

Inkoom says he’s well aware of the speed, physique and athleticism of American soccer, something which was used to shock and defeat the Ghana senior national team Black Stars by 2-1 in the last FIFA world cup in Brazil. ‘It was a painful defeat to observe but then again it goes to show how quickly US soccer is developing, which is why I really think the Major League Soccer is nothing to be underrated’.

In a response to whether he misses Ghana the player says: ‘yes I do miss my country a lot, especially my wife and little son but thanks to Skype and phones we do keep touch on a regular basis. Also, I am not the only Ghanaian in the team. The presence of both Nana Attakora and Kofi Opare who joined DC United this year from San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy respectively ‘helps me keep the Ghana heritage alive’.

DC United is Seated at the top of the Eastern Conference table of the MLS league where the two-time member of Ghana’s World Cup squad is expected to play in his natural right back position or in the wings too if needed. ‘Am here to work with the coach and since he knows best where to fit me, all I can do is just my best to help the team win some glories’ he says.