![]() | |||
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) | ||
Position(s) | Winger | ||
Youth career | |||
2005 | Kaaseman | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2005–2007 | Virginia Tech Hokies | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2008–2015 | Chicago Fire | 196 | (19) |
2016–2017 | D.C. United | 40 | (5) |
Total | 236 | (24) | |
International career‡ | |||
2012 | Ghana | 1 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 28, 2017 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 24, 2017 |
Patrick Nyarko (born January 15, 1986) is a Ghanaian former professional footballer.
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 National Semifinals.
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 National Semifinals of the 2007 Division I Men's College Cup, Nyarko was named as a finalist for the Hermann Trophy. [4] His accomplishments for the Hokies led to his enshrinement into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
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]
After eight seasons with Chicago, Nyarko was traded to D.C. United on January 6, 2016, in exchange for a second round 2016 MLS SuperDraft pick. [7] Nyarko scored his first goal for United on April 2, 2016, scoring against the San Jose Earthquakes. [8] He missed the last 3 months of the season with concussion. [9] He was out of contract with United following the 2017 season [10] and was considering retirement due to brain trauma due to 8 separate concussions he has suffered from. [11]
Nyarko was called up to the Ghana squad to face Chile. [12] Nyarko made his Ghana debut against Chile on February 29, 2012, at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Nyarko was granted a U.S. green card in 2011. This status qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes. [13]
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The 2008 Chicago Fire season marked the club's 10th anniversary and their 11th consecutive season in Major League Soccer (MLS), solidifying their position in the top tier of American soccer. The season began with an impressive 3-1 away victory over Real Salt Lake on March 29, 2008. Under the leadership of Denis Hamlett, who was promoted to head coach for the first time, the Fire delivered a strong campaign, finishing 2nd in the Eastern Conference and 3rd overall in the league standings. The season concluded with a narrow 2-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Final on November 13, 2008, ending their hopes of a fourth MLS Cup Final appearance.
The 2012 Chicago Fire season was the club's 14th year of existence, as well as their 15th season in Major League Soccer and their 15th consecutive year in the top-flight of American soccer.
The 2014 Chicago Fire season was the club's 16th year of existence, as well as their 17th season in Major League Soccer and their 17th consecutive year in the top-flight of American soccer.
The 2015 Chicago Fire season was the club's 17th year of existence, as well as their 18th season in Major League Soccer and their 18th consecutive year in the top-flight of American soccer.
The 2016 D.C. United season was the club's twenty-first season of existence, and their twenty-first in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer.
The 2016 Chicago Fire season was the club's 18th year of existence, as well as their 19th season in Major League Soccer and their 19th consecutive year in the top-flight of American soccer.
The 2017 D.C. United season was D.C. United's 22nd season of existence, and their 22nd in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer.
The 2017 Chicago Fire season was the club's 19th year of existence, as well as their 20th season in Major League Soccer, the top-flight of American soccer. The Fire reached the playoffs for the first time since 2012, losing in the knockout round.
The 2017 Virginia Tech Hokies men's soccer team represented Virginia Tech during the 2017 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. It was the 46th season of the university fielding a program. The Hokies played their home fixtures at Sandra D. Thompson Field in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hokies were led by ninth year head coach Mike Brizendine.
The 2018 Virginia Tech Hokies men's soccer team represented Virginia Tech during the 2018 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. It was the 47th season of the university fielding a program. The Hokies played their home games at Sandra D. Thompson Field in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hokies were led by tenth year head coach Mike Brizendine.
The 2019 Virginia Tech Hokies men's soccer team represented Virginia Tech during the 2019 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. It was the 48th season of the University fielding a program. The Hokies played their home games at Sandra D. Thompson Field in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hokies were led by eleventh year head coach Mike Brizendine.
The 2020 Virginia Tech Hokies men's soccer team represented Virginia Tech during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. It was the 49th season of the University fielding a program. The Hokies played their home games at Sandra D. Thompson Field in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hokies were led by twelfth-year head coach Mike Brizendine.
The 2021 Virginia Tech Hokies men's soccer team represented Virginia Tech during the 2021 NCAA Division I men's soccer season. It was the 50th season of the University fielding a program. The Hokies played their home games at Sandra D. Thompson Field in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hokies were led by thirteenth-year head coach Mike Brizendine.