PERFORMANCE OF AFRICAN PLAYERS IN MLS WEEK 12 MATCHUPS.

Performance of African players in MLS week 12 matchups. 

African players in the MLS have been the fulcrum of their various club’s successes on match days and in this week 12, we will examine those who contributed to such success stories.  

No salt in RSL in their 3-0 home defeat

Ghanaian FW, Kwado Mahala Opoku opened the scoring for LAFC in the 8th minute.  

Kwado connected that over-the-top pass with a perfect chest control in-between two RSL defenders to smash home the opener for the Black and Gold. 

His 2nd MLS goal of the season in 8 starts. 

Gabonese striker, Deni Bouanga who has been terrific this season doubles the lead for LAFC in the 35th minute when he unleashed a left-foot shot from 20 yards out to beat the RSL goalkeeper.

This is his 9th goal in 10 MLS games for the MLS defending champions. 

In Houston Dynamo's 1-0 home defeat to Seattle Sounders, Moroccan midfielder, Amine Bassi started but saw red in the 21 minutes of that contest. 

Also, ex Nigerian Flying Eagles striker, Aliyu Ibrahim made his MLS home debut when he came off the bench in the 75th to join the action. 

In New Revolution 2-1 away defeat at Inter Miami

Ghanaian duo Latiff Blessings and Emmanuel Boateng started for the Revs but could not prevent their 2-1, both were subbed off in the 67th minute. 

Across the border in the Canadian Classic

In the Canadian Classic, Chinoso Offor started for CF Montreal in their 2-0 home win over Toronto FC. 

The Ekwulobia, Anambra state-born striker got on the score sheet in the 68 minutes when he converted from a close range only to be replaced by another Nigeria striker, Sunusi Ibrahim in the 83rd minute. 

That was Offor’s, 2nd MLS goal in 11 games played this season. 

Also, Kenyan midfielder, Victor Wanyama was in for 90 minutes for CF Montreal in the Canadian Classic 2-0 win over Toronto FC. 

 In the Windy City, the Land of Lincoln. 

Kei Kamara started for Chicago Fire in their 1-0 home win over St Louis, their second win against St Louis in a space of 3 days after knocking them out from the US Open Cup midweek. 

For St Louis City FC, South African midfielder, Jabulo Bloom came on in the 46 minutes to replace Miguel Perez in their 1-0 home defeat to Chicago Fire. 

Let’s head to the Capital.  

Cameroonian midfielder, Brian Anuaga came on in the 76th minute for Nashville in their 1-1 away draw at DC Utd. 

At Columbus Crew,  

Ghanaian Winger Yaw Yeboah was on for 90 minutes for Columbus Crew in their 2-2 home draw to Orlando City FC. 

That was Yaw Yeboah’s 5 starts in 11 games for the Crew this season. 

Also, Liberian midfielder, Darlington Nagbe also played for 90 minutes for Columbus Crew in that game. 

At the Q2 Stadium in Austin Texas, it was a rivalry match between Austin and FC Dallas as Ghanaian Defender, Ema Twumasi and Warri, born Nigerian Defender, Sebastian Ibeagha all played for 90 minutes for FC Dallas in their 1-0 away win at Austin. 

In Charlotte City's 3-1 away win at Atlanta Utd, 

Ghanaian defender, Harrison Afful sat on the bench for 90 minutes and watched as his team pummeled Atlanta Utd 3-1 

Also, Cameroonian defender, Hassan Ndam sat on the bench for 90 minutes for the Red Bulls of New York in their 1-0 home over city rivals New York City FC.