Posted Sep 28, 2012, 12:14 pm
Candice Osei-Agyemang's first match for the University of Arizona Wildcats couldn't have been chosen better.
"I don't think I could have asked for a more fun game," Osei-Agyemang said of her debut for the UA soccer team against Florida International University on Sept. 14, which happened to be Osei-Agyemang's birthday.
"My dad had come down to watch the game; it was the first college game he'd seen me play," she said. "I came in and I think it was my first or second touch and I ended up scoring. The rest of the game went really well from that."
"Really well" means in part that Osei-Agyemang also had an assist on the Wildcats' second goal. And, after having little playing time due to injuries and a red-shirt season, Osei-Agyemang has made appearances in all three Wildcat games since the FIU match.
Osei-Agyemang is still working her way back on the team after missing out on the spring season and early fall training because of her time playing with the Ghana national team in the Under-20 World Cup. She appeared in all three games for Ghana in group play and started twice.
"I've been trying to assimilate myself as quickly as possible into the team," she said after a practice this week. "So far it's been good. We all have the same common goal."
"I think the American style of play is different than other countries," she said of trying to get used to the team after playing internationally. "In Ghana, where I was, they play a possession style. They don't like to play as direct."
She's liking being back with the American style though.
"I miss playing direct: lots of long balls, taking on people one on one. So, it's kind of nice to be back in that sense."
Osei-Agyemang is one of many American born college players that play for other women's national teams. Others include fellow Wildcat Ana-Maria Montoya who has made appearances for Colombia, as well as Osei-Agyemang's sister, Miralyn, who played for Ghana at the 2003 Women's World Cup.
"From as far back as I remember, I was always on the sidelines watching her games," said Osei-Agyemang of her sister. "My dad would take my sister to training and I'd be on the side when I was little."
"When I started growing up, what better mentor than your sister?" she continued. "Me and her would kick the ball and she'd give me pointers."
"She was in the same situation as me, born here and playing abroad," she said. "So, a lot of things I go through she identifies with as well."
Osei-Agyemang and the Wildcats will try to extend their record in PAC-12 play to 2-0 with a match against UCLA at Mulcahy Stadium Friday night at 7 pm.
MLS playoff field could be seeded this weekend
With only a month left in the Major League Soccer season, fans of Toronto FC and the New England Revolution find their teams in a spot that's become too familiar over the last couple of seasons: eliminated from playoff contention.
The San Jose Earthquakes, Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake will all be playing in the post season. San Jose has had a remarkable season, their 18 wins and 6 draws leaves them 11 points ahead of the second place Galaxy.
Fans of Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers FC can take solace in the mathematics that still gives their teams a chance to get in, but a single loss would eliminate them.
Here are the possible scenarios, courtesy of Major League Soccer. You may want to dig out that old text book on Boolean mathematics and logic gates:
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Seattle Sounders FC will clinch a playoff spot IF
Sporting Kansas City will clinch a playoff spot IF
- Sporting Kansas City win vs. Chicago Fire on Friday OR
- Columbus Crew lose to Philadelphia Union on Saturday OR
- Sporting Kansas City tie vs. Chicago Fire on Friday AND
- Columbus Crew tie vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday OR
- Houston Dynamo lose to New England Revolution on Saturday
Chicago Fire will clinch a playoff spot IF
- Chicago Fire win vs. Sporting Kansas City on Friday AND
- Columbus Crew lose to Philadelphia Union on Saturday OR
- Houston Dynamo lose to New England Revolution on Saturday
Philadelphia Union will be eliminated from playoff contention IF
- Philadelphia Union lose to Columbus Crew on Saturday OR
- Houston Dynamo win vs. New England Revolution on Saturday OR
- Philadelphia Union tie vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday AND
- Houston Dynamo tie vs. New England Revolution on Saturday
Portland Timbers will be eliminated from playoff contention IF
- Portland Timbers lose to D.C. United on Saturday AND
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win or tie vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday OR
- FC Dallas win vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday OR
- Portland Timbers tie vs. D.C. United on Saturday AND
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday
Colorado Rapids will be eliminated from playoff contention IF
- Colorado Rapids lose to LA Galaxy on Sunday AND
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday
Chivas USA will be eliminated from playoff contention IF
- Chivas USA lose to Real Salt Lake on Saturday AND
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday
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