Sainey Nyassi (born 31 January 1989) is a Gambian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sainey Nyassi[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 31 January 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Bwiam, Gambia | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2004 | Gambia Ports Authority | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2007 | Gambia Ports Authority | 82 | (18) |
| 2007–2013 | New England Revolution | 104 | (8) |
| 2013 | D.C. United | 14 | (0) |
| 2014 | RoPS | 19 | (4) |
| 2015–2017 | FC Edmonton | 72 | (5) |
| International career | |||
| 2005 | Gambia U17 | 3 | (0) |
| 2007 | Gambia U20 | 4 | (0) |
| 2010–2015 | Gambia | 6 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 July 2019 | |||
Club career
editSainey Nyassi began his career in the Gambia, playing in the GFA League First Division for Gambia Ports Authority.[2]
He was scouted by New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol while playing in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and signed with the Revolution shortly thereafter along with his Gambian teammate, Kenny Mansally.[3]
Nyassi officially signed for the Revolution on August 31, 2007, as a "youth international."[4] He made his MLS debut on 9 September 2007 against D.C. United as a substitute, playing the final eight minutes on the right wing. The appearance would be his only contribution to the 2007 season.[5]
Nyassi made his first start, and scored his first MLS goal, on 29 March 2008 in the Revs' 3-0 2008 opening-day victory over Houston Dynamo.[2] In doing so, he became the youngest Revolution player to ever start a season-opener.[2] His goal won "Sierra Mist Goal of the Week" for week 1.[5] During the 2009 season, he won MLS Goal of the Week in week 3 for his strike against FC Dallas.[5]
As an understudy of Steve Ralston,[6] Nyassi became a core piece of the Revolution for the next four seasons, never playing in fewer than 20 matches for the club until 2012, when he was sidelined with a hamstring injury in early March, returning on June 27.[2] He was released by New England on 16 May 2013.[7]
On 27 May 2013, Nyassi signed with D.C. United.[8]
On 9 June 2014, Nyassi signed for Finnish Club RoPS.[9]
Nyassi signed with FC Edmonton in February 2015.[10] He spent three seasons in Edmonton. After the 2017 season, with the future of FC Edmonton and the NASL in doubt, Nyassi was released by the club.[11][12]
International career
editNyassi has represented his nation at various youth levels. He played for the Gambian U-17 national team in the 2005 U-17 world championships, and for the U-20 national team in the 2007 U-20 FIFA Championships. He scored his first goal for the Senior national team on 4 September 2010 in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Namibia.
International goals
edit- Scores and results list Gambia's goal tally first.[13]
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 January 2010 | Stade El Menzah, Tunis |  Tunisia
|
2–0
|
2–1
|
Friendly |
| 2 | 4 September 2010 | Independence Stadium, Bakau |  Namibia
|
1–0
|
3–1
|
2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
Personal life
editSainey is the twin brother of fellow professional footballer Sanna Nyassi.
Nyassi received his U.S green card on 31 January 2012, which qualified him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[14]
References
edit- ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 5 July 2007. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Profile". Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Nyassi Leaves FC Edmonton". Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ a b c 2024 Media Guide. New England Revolution. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "July 20, 2010 – Steve Ralston announces retirement". 20 July 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Revolution waives Sainey Nyassi". 16 May 2013. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "D.C. United signs midfielder Sainey Nyassi". DC United. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Sainey Nyassi signs with Finnish club - Daily Observer". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
- ^ "Nyassi Set to Sign with the Eddies". 10 February 2015.
- ^ "FC Edmonton announce four departures in Ameobi, Corea, Fordyce and Nyassi". FC Edmonton. 16 November 2017.
- ^ Steven Sandor (16 November 2017). "With the club's path unclear, FC Edmonton begins releasing players". the11.ca.
- ^ "Nyassi, Sainey". National Football Teams. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
- ^ "Nyassi gains permanent resident status | New England Revolution". www.revolutionsoccer.net. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012.
External links
edit- Sainey Nyassi at Major League Soccer
- Sainey Nyassi at National-Football-Teams.com