After eight seasons in the Windy City, Patrick Nyarko made the move east this January to the Nation’s capital following a trade between the Chicago Fire and United. An energetic presence along the touchline, the Ghanaian has brought years of MLS experience to the side and a calming presence in possession. “Whenever Patrick has the ball, you know something good is going to happen,” Chris Rolfe, who also played with Nyarko in Chicago from 2008-2014, said. On Saturday, he'll face his former team at RFK Stadium for the first time.
The former Virginia Tech standout immediately slotted into the Black-and-Red's starting lineup after his arrival prior to preseason. He started 11 of the first 12 matches for United, including ten straight, and continually caused opposing defenses headaches with his pace and dribbling ability. In that span, he scored three goals (including a game-tying goal against the Fire back in April) and added one assist. Nyarko’s offensive contributions earned him an AT&T Goal of the Week nomination for his goal against the San Jose Earthquakes in Week 5 and he’s been named to the MLS Team of the Week twice (Weeks 8 and 11).
“You can see when he comes into the game he’s a difference maker,” head coach Ben Olsen said.
While his passing ability is well known--Nyarko left the Windy City third in franchise history with 39 assists (including his assists with D.C., his career total is now tenth in MLS history)--it’s his skill with the ball that has helped him become one of the best at maintaining possession in the league, especially when he draws fouls. The outside midfielder is at his best when he can take defenders on one-v-one, when seemingly the only way to contain him is to foul the 30-year-old. Nyarko is the all-time franchise leader in fouls suffered for the Fire (he drew 371 fouls in 196 appearances) and hasn’t slowed down in D.C., leading the Black-and-Red in fouls won six times this season.
But after missing six matches over the summer because of injury, Nyarko says the most important thing is to continue building back fitness now that he is back in the starting lineup. “It’s not always easy,” Nyarko said on returning from injury. “I’ve been pushing myself in training [to regain match fitness].”
Nyarko’s energy is evidenced by his willingness to help out on the defensive side as well. "When he is out, we don’t have a player that has all the qualities he does,” midfielder Marcelo said. “He’s someone that can dribble and push forward but also defend.” The Ghanaian has proven his defensive worth time and again, tracking back and leading the team in tackles three different matches.
Now in his ninth professional season, Nyarko adds to his on-field brilliance as a veteran presence in the locker room. As one of the influential players in United’s midfield, he will play a key role in the team’s push to stay above the red line as the season’s end draws closer and the race for the Eastern Conference playoff spots heats up
