Comments on: FCD Signs Ghanian Defender Aziz Ansah

By: 3rd Degree » Archive » 120 Fahrenheit: Camp Opening Roster Analysis

3rd Degree » Archive » 120 Fahrenheit: Camp Opening Roster Analysis — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:52:22 +0000

[...] major change is the signing of Aziz Ansah. Ansah joins FCD from Hearthland FC in Nigeria and is a member of the Ghana National Team. He [...]

By: 3rd Degree » Archive » Four Names Missing from Preseason Roster

3rd Degree » Archive » Four Names Missing from Preseason Roster — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:07:04 +0000

[...] Ansah is the new right back FCD signed from Heartland FC in Nigeria. He’s a member of the Ghana National Team. He can also play [...]

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:05:55 +0000

I doubt if he was either left-footed or otherwise it is a problem, he wouldn’t be playing on the right side of midfield for the No. 2 team in Nigeria recently.

By: brunomarmos7

brunomarmos7 — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:34:35 +0000

One question came to my mind right now: Is he right-footed or left-footed?

It changes everything, because if he is left-footed he won’t be able to play right-back.

As for the Draft, I don’t expect Schellas getting another young forward. I think he is working on trading VDB for a mature forward (a worth one), and if he can’t get one, VDB will continue here. I believe he will look to add senior players from the draft (like Stalh) and another midfielder (Tchani IMO) to cover the place André Rocha and Richetti will left.

By: English James

English James — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:59:58 +0000

Lloks like a good addition, although his resume is interesting, he’s barely stayed in one place more than a season or two.

Personally I wouldn’t move Pearce to LMF, if we feel the need to move someone from the existing roster there then i’d move Benitez as based on what I saw last season he offers more than Pearce going forward and Pearce is better defensively. Altough, unless Ansah is an improvement on the back for that played so well at the end of last season I’d stick with things as they were, with another off-season’s worth of continuity the 4 should be a strong unit

By: dallas soccer

dallas soccer — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:24:42 +0000

As long as the guy is still athletic, then you really don’t need to look at his age. I’d MUCH rather have a guy who is 29 vs. 21 as a defender. As it was previously stated, this age is when players usually peak mentally, and our defense needs some composed smart players. As long as the guy is fit and has some wheels (which based on SH’s latest pickup’s, they all have been), this should be a good move.

Not quite sure about Heath moving up to mid though… I like his composure in the back, and he doesn’t seem to be a great attacking player….

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:09:18 +0000

Why do people get mad about a signing based upon age alone, before they’ve seen him play? Especially when the player is only 29, and a fringe NT player (9 caps) for a respectable country! This team has plenty of youth, and will add more in the draft.

Seems to me FCD needed more depth in the backline, and I hope Aziz works out.

Now they just need to sign a 2nd striker, and draft some MF backup/projects.

By: twotone

twotone — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:38:04 +0000

Maybe its just me, but i’m not that excited about Heath Pearce @ left mid. I’d much rather see an attacking player there like Brek Shea or Jair.

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:56:57 +0000

Historically, the late 20s is the peak for all footballers.

This trade seems to fit the idea the SH has had about having position flexibility across the team, instead of being in the horrible spot we were for the first half of the year, when we stuck Pablo on central defense because we had no other options. Ewww…that was just plain awful to watch.

I agree that this signing probably does not alter our draft strategy. While there are always exceptions, in general, you take the very best talent no matter what the position, because it takes a 20-22 year old kid quite a while to be MLS ready. This is especially true now that they dumped the reserve teams and shortened the rosters (which was really bad for US soccer).

By: 3nOut

3nOut — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:46:29 +0000

i agree that this still doesn’t change our angle in the draft. there’s more talent at MF and FWD IMO than at the defensive back. tchani and bunbury is my hope for the picks…if ever so lucky.

as far as ansah, i would probably prefer him at RB so we can move heath @ LM. i think he can do more damage at that position if DVB leaves.