FC Edmonton's Sainey Nyassi Looking To Build Upon Positive Spring Season

One of FC Edmonton’s most dangerous wingers over the past two seasons has been Gambian international Sainey Nyassi. The soft spoken, 27-year-old midfielder has contributed to nearly a third of the Eddies goals in 2016 despite an injury, and appears poised to continue his contributions as the team enters the North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season. 

Nyassi joined the Eddies in 2015 following an off-season recommendation from twin brother and current San Jose Earthquake midfielder Sanna Nyassi. Sainey made his mark on head coach Colin Miller’s squad during his first season in 2015, collecting four goals across all competitions. An eight year Major Soccer League (MLS) veteran with both New England Revolution and DC United, Nyassi opted to re-sign for a second season with the Eddies following a positive first year with the club.

“I would say the management, my teammates and everything around here in Edmonton I like,” Nyassi said. “That’s why I came back. The team took care of me last season so I decided to come back for another spell.”

An injury forced Nyassi to miss four matches during the 10-match Spring Season, hampering his contributions to the Eddies attack. Now healthy once again, the winger is looking ahead to the Fall, where he hopes to build upon his Spring play in 2016.

“The Spring was good for me,” Nyassi explained. “It could have been better, my injury kept me sidelined for a couple games. That happens sometime. [During the Fall] I would like to get more assists and more goals.”

The Eddies themselves are heading into the NASL’s second season on the front foot, having finished their Spring Season campaigh with 17 points and a third-place overall finish—their best Spring Season record in club history. On defence, the team posted a league-best goals-against-average, conceding just seven goals through ten matches. 

“We’ve been up there amongst the top of the league for most of the Spring Season,” Nyassi concluded. “We’ve made a lot of improvements, offensively and defensively. We’ve made really good additions with Adam [Eckersley] and Pape [Diakite]. I think all the players are buying in and giving it their all. Hopefully, if we stay playing that way we’ll definitely be in the playoffs. 

Nyassi and the Eddies return to action at Clarke Field, July 10 versus Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Clarke Field.