MLS: Harrison Afful"s Red Card Rescinded

The Independent Review Panel of America’s Major League Soccer has rescinded the fine and one-game suspension for the red card issued to Columbus Crew’s Ghanaian defender Harrison Afful for a 74th minute foul in their match against D.C. United on July 16.

As a result, the former Esperance man will be eligible to play in Crew SC’s next match against Orlando City SC on Saturday.

Crew SC’s appeal for review of the play was unanimously upheld by the 3-member Panel, which consists of one representative from the U.S. Soccer Federation, one representative from the Canadian Soccer Association and one representative from the Professional Referees Organization (PRO).

The appeal was the third filed by the Ohio based Franchise in this year’s League, all of which have been upheld.

Meanwhile, Afful was named to the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week  bench for Week 19 after scoring his first career MLS goal last Wednesday in Crew SC’s 1-1 draw with Toronto FC.

MLS: Harrison Afful"s Red Card Rescinded

MLS: Excited Afful Credits Team Mates For Debut Goal

MLS-based Ghana defender, Harrison Afful, has credited his teammates for his opening goal for the club following his strike at home to Toronto FC.

The former Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Esperance energetic wing-back latched onto a dropping ball from a goal mouth melee to put Columbus Crew 1-0 up but was quick to credit his team mates for the opener.

The Black Stars versatile defender landed himself the club’s defender of the year award in his maiden season and has since built on it with impeccable displays in the MLS.

Afful continues to shine for his side which has registered just three wins in 18 matches.

Speaking on his opening goal in the colours of Columbus Crew, the Ghanaian import thanked his team mates for the confidence reposed in him.

“It is always good to be on the score sheet but disappointed we could not get the maximum points.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t get the 3 points but congratulations to my team mates for the encouragement and also believing in me”, Afful told reporters.

Columbus however failed to hold on to that lead in an eventual 1-1 drawn game for the basement side.

MLS: Excited Afful Credits Team Mates For Debut Goal

Sports Crusader Team Of The Week

Your most informative sports website, sportscrusader.com, once again brings to you the Crusader Team of the Week.

To set the records straight, players are selected based on the following parameters:

1. TheCoefficientof the league they play
   
   2. The competition they are in (If they are not playing league matches)
   
   3. Consistency
   
   4. The competition they face from other players playing for the same position
   
   5. The positions they play
   
   6. The number of minutes played in the game, and
   
   7. The contribution of the player to the success of the game.

Sports crusader team of the week returns for the first time in over 8 weeks with new faces making the inaugural edition of the weekly assembled finest players.

Andre Ayew kicked off his season under new manager Roberto Di Mateo with two goals in the preseason friendly for the Aston Villa forward. The 24 year old leads our Team of The Week for his promising start to the 2015/16 season.

Anderlecht duo of Frank Opoku Acheampong and Dennis Appiah earned their place in the SCTOW for their diverse roles in the 1-1 thriller with Red Stars. The duo are joined by club mate Emmanuel Agyei Sowah who graced his debut game for the senior side with impeccable display at the back.

Nigeria based Nana Bonsu mans the sticks for the NPL side to extend his boisterous run in the division.

Below is the Crusader Team of the Week and the number of minutes each player lasted.

1. Osei Bonsu (GK)- 90′  Enugu Rangers.


2. Dennis Appiah- 90’ Anderlecht.


3. Harrison Afful-90’ Columbus Crew


4. Baba Mensah-90’ BK Hacken


5. Micheal Ofosu-Appiah-90’ Infonet


6. Derreck Boateng-90’ Rayo OKC


7. Albert Adomah-90’ Middlesborough


8. Nasiru Mohammed-90’ BK Hacken


9. Jordan Ayew-90’ Aston Villa


10. David Accam -90 Chicago Fire


11. Frank Opoku Acheampong.

Subs

12. Ebenezer Ofori-90 AIK Solna

13Emmanuel Agyei Sowah- 46’ Anderlecht

14. Gilbert Koomson-90’ Sogndal

15. Ernest Asante-90’ Staebik

16. Kamal Issah-90’ Staebik

17. Kojo Opoku-90’ Miami

18. Haminu Dramani- Infonet.

 

Sports Crusader Team Of The Week

Harrison Afful Excels In Columbus Crew Stalemate

Black Stars fullback Harrison Afful excelled at the back for Columbus Crew in their 1-1 drawn game at home to Colarado.

The pocket size defender provided a crucial assist for the opening goal of the clash before a strong second half resurgence shared the spoil for both teams.

The Major League Soccer based defender extended his award performances from the 2015 season onto the current campaign with impressive outings on weekly basis.

Afful capitalised on a very impressive start for his side with a pearling cross which landed superbly for the on rushing Cedrick just 23 minutes into the game.

The host could however not build on their early as they went into recess with only one goal up thanks to their profligate shooting.

Colorado drew parity just 10 minutes into second department of the game which eventually proved to be equalizer and share the spoil in the MLS clash.

Harrison Afful has featured in all 10 matches for the struggling Columbus with 2 wins to their name all season.

Harrison Afful Excels In Columbus Crew Stalemate

Harrison Afful Powers Columbus To Victory In MLS

Ghanaian defender Harrison Afful steered Columbus Crew to three crucial points at home to Houston Dynamos.

The ambidextrous forward maintained his impeccable form in the MLS to earn all points on board.

Sierra Leone attacker Kei Kamara scored the only goal of the night to down the spirited Dynamos and move into sixth slot on the log.

Afful enjoyed a stellar 2015 MLS season with Columbus Crew and has extended his impressive form onto the new campaign in the Major League Soccer.

The marauding wingback again hijacked the media traffic with his commanding performances to extend their mini resurgence after a torrid start to the season by Crew.

Columbus went five matches without a win in the opening matches of the MLS but has since won back to back matches for the first time this season.

Harrison Afful, who was inches close to joining the Turkish Super League in the winter transfer market, has since played all 7 matches for the struggling Columbus.

Harrison Afful Powers Columbus To Victory In MLS

EXCLUSIVE: Turkish club in advanced talks to sign free-agent Harrison Afful

Ghana defender Harrison Afful is in advanced talks over a move to Turkish club Antalyaspor, Sportscrusader.com is reliably informed.

The 29-year-old had reportedly opened talks over a move to Mersin Idmanyurdu instead but discussions between the two parties seems to have broken down.

Antalyaspor have already reached an agreement to sign fellow Ghana defender Samuel Inkoom but are looking to conclude talks to also sign Harrison Afful who is currently in Ghana on holidays.

Antalyaspor new coach Samuel Eto’o is a big fan of Afful who excelled in his debut season in the MLS with Columbus Crew.

The short-term contract of Afful at Crew has however expired, meaning he will be eligible to move on a free transfer.

Afful, who won the CAF Champions League trophy with Tunisian club Esperance insists he is desirous of renewing his expired contract at Columbus Crew.

But a humungous offer being prepared by Antalyaspor could tempt the pores of the Black Stars left-back into deciding to move to Turkey instead.

EXCLUSIVE: Turkish club in advanced talks to sign free-agent Harrison Afful