Edward Opoku

Edward Opoku Yeboah Alexander (born 1 August 1996) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a winger. He previously appeared at the senior level with AC Connecticut, Columbus Crew SC, Saint Louis FC, and Birmingham Legion.

Edward Opoku
Opoku with Columbus in 2018
Personal information
Full name Edward Opoku Yeboah Alexander[1]
Date of birth (1996-08-01) 1 August 1996
Place of birth Konongo, Ghana
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
2006–2011 Right to Dream Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2017 Virginia Cavaliers 56 (16)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 AC Connecticut 8 (1)
2018–2019 Columbus Crew SC 5 (0)
2018 → Saint Louis FC (loan) 2 (0)
2019 → Birmingham Legion (loan) 17 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 October 2019

Opoku came to the United States through the Right to Dream Academy at the age of 15, attending the Millbrook School and winning three state championships. He played collegiately for three seasons at Virginia, earning all-conference honors during each season, and spent time with AC Connecticut during the college offseason. Opoku signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer ahead of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft and was selected by Columbus Crew SC in the second round. He made his professional debut while on loan to Saint Louis FC and later spent time on loan at Birmingham Legion during his two years with the Crew. Opoku is eligible to play for the national teams of Ghana and the United States and is a citizen of both countries.[1]

Early life

Born in Konongo, Ghana, Opoku began playing street football at the age of five, barefoot and using rocks as goalposts. When he was seven years old, he left home to play for a club in a nearby town that helped to support his family.[2] At the age of 10, he took part in a tryout for the Right to Dream Academy, eventually becoming the only child from Konongo to earn a spot in the program.[3] Opoku came to the United States through the academy at the age of 15, earning a scholarship to attend the Millbrook School.[4] He helped the Mustangs win three NEPSAC Class C state titles, was a Western New England Prep School All-Select honoree in all four years of high school, and was named as the co-most valuable player of the 2014 High School All-America Game.[5] Opoku set school records with 85 goals and 115 total points in his four years at Millbrook.[6]

Opoku was ranked as the ninth-best player in the high school class of 2015 by College Soccer News.[7] He committed to play college soccer at Virginia, part of a recruiting class that ranked second in the nation and also included Derrick Etienne and Jean-Christophe Koffi.[8]

College and amateur

"He’s one of the best character guys we have. His appreciation level for the smallest little things that most of us take for granted are incredible, which makes him hardworking, humble. I can’t begin to say enough about his character."

—Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch, speaking about Opoku in November 2015.[2]

Opoku made his Virginia debut on 29 August 2015, coming off the bench in a victory over Charlotte.[9] He went on to appear in all 18 matches, one of just three Cavaliers to do so, and started 15 times, primarily playing as a forward. His first collegiate goal came on 5 October, helping Virginia to a 3–2 victory against Portland.[10] Opoku was named Third Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and to the ACC All-Freshman Team after finishing the season with two goals and three assists.[11] He was one of just two freshmen to be named to an all-ACC team, the other being Jack Harrison. As a sophomore, Opoku netted six goals in 18 appearances for the Cavaliers. Five of those six goals were game-winners, a mark that ranked 13th nationally and second in the conference.[6] His only goal that was not a game-winner came on 5 September 2016 against James Madison but was accompanied by an assist for the first multi-point game of his collegiate career.[12] Opoku was named to the All-ACC Second Team at season's end.[13]

As a junior, Opoku tallied multiple career-highs: eight goals and four assists in 20 appearances.[6] He scored five times through the first six matches of the year, punctuating that stretch with two goals in a victory over Virginia Tech on 15 September 2017.[14] Opoku added a golden goal in a victory over Portland on 2 October, the eighth game-winning goal of his career.[15] He capped the season with his third consecutive all-conference honour, earning a spot on the All-ACC Second Team.[16] Opoku departed Virginia following the year, ending his collegiate career with 16 goals in 56 appearances for the Cavaliers.[6]

AC Connecticut

Following his freshman season at Virginia, Opoku joined AC Connecticut of the Premier Development League (PDL).[17] He made his club debut three games into the campaign, entering as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against Westchester Flames on 28 May 2016.[18] Opoku appeared in four matches during the year, tallying just a shot and a yellow card in his time on the pitch.[17]

Opoku returned to AC Connecticut following his sophomore year of college, joining the club for the 2017 PDL season. He scored his first goal for the club on 21 May 2017, although Connecticut was defeated 2–1 by Seacoast United Phantoms.[19] Opoku scored once in four total appearances on the year, and concluded his two seasons with the club having played eight times and scored once.[17]

Club career

2018: Loan to Saint Louis

Ahead of the 2018 MLS Combine, Opoku signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer (MLS), making him the seventh member of the Generation Adidas class.[20] He was selected by Columbus Crew SC with the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, the first Generation Adidas player drafted by Columbus since Dilly Duka in 2010.[21] In a bid to find playing time, Opoku was sent on loan to United Soccer League (USL) club Saint Louis FC on 27 April.[22] He made his club and professional debut one day later, replacing Joey Calistri in the 78th minute of a 1–1 draw with Swope Park Rangers.[23] Opoku made just one more appearance for Saint Louis before being recalled by Columbus on 18 May.[24] He went on to make his Crew debut on 6 June, replacing Niko Hansen in the second half of a 2018 U.S. Open Cup match against Chicago Fire. He converted his kick in the penalty shootout as the Crew were eliminated on penalties.[25] Opoku played his first MLS game on 21 July, beginning a stretch in which he appeared in four consecutive matches, and concluded the season with eight appearances in all competitions: six with Columbus and two with Saint Louis.[26][27]

2019: Loan to Birmingham

On 22 March 2019, Opoku was loaned to USL Championship expansion club Birmingham Legion for the duration of the 2019 USL Championship season.[28] He made his debut for the Legion against Louisville City on 31 March, helping the club earn its first-ever victory.[29] Opoku replaced Prosper Kasim in the 69th minute of an eventual 3–2 win for Birmingham.[30] Later in the season, Opoku tallied his first professional goal, doing so in the second round of the 2019 U.S. Open Cup. Against West Chester United, he scored in the 89th minute, notched two assists, and drew a foul that led to a Legion penalty kick.[31] He added a goal in league play against Tampa Bay Rowdies on 10 August, but then suffered a foot injury one week later in a fixture against Memphis 901.[32][33] Opoku missed the rest of the season due to the injury, finishing his year with two goals from 18 appearances in all competitions. Following the end of the season in Columbus, Opoku had his contract option declined by the Crew, ending his time with the club after two seasons.[34]

Personal life

Opoku is the youngest of eight children to his mother, Regina Nkansah. His father was never involved in his life and refused to acknowledge Opoku as his son.[2] Two of his siblings are deceased; one brother died at the age of 26 from a respiratory disease. Opoku grew up speaking Twi before learning English while at Right to Dream.[2] When he turned professional in 2018, his mother had yet to see him play a match in person.[35]

In 2018, Opoku started the clothing brand BeHappy, inspired by and named after his lifelong motto. The goal behind the brand was "to highlight the happy moments in average days, as people around the world do the same in their varied situations."[36] Profits from the company were donated to the Fifi Soccer Foundation, a program founded by fellow Ghanaian and former Crew SC player Fifi Baiden.[37] Through BeHappy, Opoku has hosted an annual football tournament for children in Konongo and has organized donation drives for shoes, clothes, and soccer equipment.[3][38]

Opoku is friends with Mamadi Diakite, a native of Guinea who played basketball at Virginia. The two met while living in the same dormitory during their freshman year.[35]

Career statistics
As of 17 August 2019[27][39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
AC Connecticut 2016[17] PDL 40–––40
2017[17] 41–––41
Total 8100000081
Columbus Crew SC 2018 Major League Soccer 5010–0060
2019 0000––00
Total 5010000060
Saint Louis FC (loan) 2018 USL 2000–0020
Birmingham Legion (loan) 2019 USL Championship 17111–00182
Career total 322210000343
  1. All appearances in the U.S. Open Cup

Honors

Individual

See also

References
  1. Edward Opoku at WorldFootball.net
  2. Reid, Whitey (21 November 2015). "Edward Opoku's long journey to the University of Virginia soccer field". The Daily Progress. Berkshire Hathaway. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  3. Erickson, Andrew (19 October 2018). "Big break lets Edward Opoku achieve his dream". The Columbus Dispatch. GateHouse Media. Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  4. Franciulli, Jacquie (1 October 2015). "UVa's Edward Opoku Earned Right to Dream". 247Sports.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  5. "Edward Opoku '15 Signs National Letter of Intent for University of Virginia". Millbrook School. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  6. "Edward Opoku – Virginia profile". Virginia Cavaliers. University of Virginia. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  7. "Class of 2015 (High School Seniors)". College Soccer News. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  8. "Virginia welcomes six student-athletes for 2015-16 school year". Virginia Cavaliers. University of Virginia. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  9. Reid, Whitey (29 August 2015). "UVa soccer team opens season with shutout win". The Daily Progress. Berkshire Hathaway. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  10. Darney, Caroline (12 October 2015). "Monday Motivation: Danielle Collins is VERY good at tennis". Streaking the Lawn. SB Nation. Retrieved 27 November 2020. Sam Hayward assisted Edward Opoku for his first career goal to open the Wahoo scoring...
  11. "Men's soccer: UVA places five on All-ACC team". Augusta Free Press. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  12. "Men's soccer: No. 12 UVA cruises to 3–1 win at James Madison". Augusta Free Press. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  13. Berman, Mark (8 November 2016). "In the region: Soccer honors for Virginia Tech and Virginia men". The Roanoke Times. Berkshire Hathaway. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  14. Darney, Caroline (16 September 2017). "#12 Virginia soccer defeats Va Tech, 2–1, as Gelnovatch gets win 300". Streaking the Lawn. SB Nation. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  15. "Opoku's golden goal completes UVA comeback win over Portland". Augusta Free Press. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  16. "Six Cavaliers recognized on all-ACC teams". Virginia Cavaliers. University of Virginia. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  17. "Edward Opoku – AC Connecticut profile". Premier Development League. United Soccer League. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  18. "Westchester Flames 2–2 AC Connecticut". Premier Development League. United Soccer League. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  19. "AC Connecticut 1–2 Seacoast United Phantoms". Premier Development League. United Soccer League. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  20. "Virginia's Opoku heading to MLS". The News & Advance. Berkshire Hathaway. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  21. Johnson, Collin (19 January 2018). "Columbus Crew SC select midfielder Edward Opoku with the 32nd overall pick". Massive Report. SB Nation. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  22. Torres, Guilherme (27 April 2018). "Crew SC loans Edward Opoku to Saint Louis FC". Massive Report. SB Nation. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  23. "Swope Park Rangers 1–1 Saint Louis FC". United Soccer League. United Soccer League. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  24. @AEricksonAU (18 May 2018). "Berhalter said team is trying to find him a new USL loan assignment. Consistent game time is the goal. #CrewSC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. Torres, Guilherme (7 June 2018). "Game Grades: Crew SC vs. Chicago Fire". Massive Report. SB Nation. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  26. Schudel, Ralph (24 July 2018). "Opoku cherishes his MLS debut and is ready for more". Massive Report. SB Nation. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  27. Edward Opoku at Major League Soccer
  28. Myers, Jacob (22 March 2019). "Call-ups create opportunities for Crew reserves". The Columbus Dispatch. GateHouse Media. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  29. Wray, Cheryl (31 March 2019). "Birmingham Legion FC earns 1st win, beats defending champ". The Birmingham News. Advance Publications. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  30. Guldan, Patrick (3 April 2019). "Loan report: How the away Crew players performed this week". Massive Report. SB Nation. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  31. Fuller, John (17 May 2019). "2019 US Open Cup round 2: Eddie Opoku helps Birmingham Legion make Alabama soccer history". TheCup.us. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  32. Opoku, Aaron (13 August 2019). "Eddie Opoku named Man of the Match as super strike wins it for Birmingham Legion in USL". GhanaSoccernet. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  33. WREG staff (17 August 2019). "Memphis crumbles in final minutes in 0–1 loss at Birmingham". WREG-TV. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  34. Myers, Jacob (21 October 2019). "Star midfielder Federico Higuain won't be back with Columbus Crew". The Columbus Dispatch. Gannett. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  35. White, Jeff (19 October 2017). "Soccer has taken Edward Opoku on a dream journey". University of Virginia. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  36. "BeHappy". BeHappy. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  37. Erickson, Andrew (23 June 2018). "Crew Cuts: Crew SC's Edward Opoku explains meaning of #BeHappy, charity work". The Columbus Dispatch. GateHouse Media. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  38. Cath, David (7 February 2019). "From Right to Dream to #BeHappy, Opoku's personal path becoming charitable blueprint". Columbus Crew SC. Major League Soccer. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  39. Edward Opoku at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  40. "Virginia's Opoku, Virginia Tech's Brizendine Headline Men's Soccer Team". Virginia Sports Information Directors. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
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