Nana Attakora Admits He Would've Been Crazy Not To Join San Antonio

By Matthew Levine

In the offseason Canadian international defender Nana Attakora had a few options. Training with the New York Cosmos, it was another North American Soccer League (NASL) club that earned his signature.

“The direction that this club is going, if I said no to this I’d be crazy,” he told NASL.com about the opportunity to join the San Antonio Scorpions. “I just felt it was the perfect fit for me and what I want to accomplish this year.

“It was an easy decision to make for me this year. San Antonio had a great season last year, and they’ve brought in a lot of great players this year like Marvin Chavez, who played in the World Cup.”

While he ultimately will wear the Scorpions’ red and black, one thing was clear - Attakora was hoping to feature in the NASL in 2015.

“What I wanted this year - I was hurt for the last 12-18 months so it’s been a rough time for me – was to come,” the 25-year-old defender said. “I know a lot of players in the NASL, I know it’s a good league, a very strong league, and the system was very appealing for me the way the clubs are run.”

In fact, Attakora was nearly a Scorpions player in 2014 when the club lifted its first-ever Soccer Bowl trophy.

“What people don’t know is, there was a chance I was going to join the Scorpions last season before I signed with D.C. United. I’ve always known that coach Alen Marcina has shown interest and the players I spoke to had nothing but good things to say about him,” he said.

Heading into the 2015 season, Attakora is looking to help San Antonio repeat in not only winning a second successive title but to have the best defensive record once again as well.

The first step in accomplishing that is doing everything possible to stay fit, even if he had little control of the injuries he suffered, such as concussions. The team fitness will be equally important – and communication on the backline.

“That record is something the team should take pride in. It’s not an easy thing to accomplish. A lot of that has to do with Alen and his emphasis on working on fitness within the group,” he said.

“As long as we continue to get along and gel and get to know each other, defensively it will be easy because defending has to do with a lot of communicating.”

Hoping to make an impact straight away, Attakora is ready to play wherever he is asked, whether that’s in a more comfortable role as a center back or patrolling the fullback position.

Strong form could also put the defender in a position to represent Canada in crucial games – Gold Cup and World Cup Qualifiers – in the summer. He recently featured in two friendlies against Iceland in January.

“We have a great coach in Canada with Benito Floro, who is always monitoring his players. As long as I’m fit and playing well, I do believe I can be a part of that squad,” Attakora said.

Also, the Canadian National Team coaching staff has already given his move the stamp of approval.

“I spoke with all our coaches. One coach, Mike Findley, before I signed the contract with San Antonio, I spoke to at length,” Attakora said.

“People are noticing how strong the NASL is. There are a lot of talented players, and they thought it would be a great fit for me. They know Alen and his philosophies and they thought me being in this environment and training every day that I’m just going to improve. That’s what you want to do every day as a player.”