Ghanaian midfielder Kalif Alhassan has been hailed as the main reason behind the revival of Portland Timbers in the American top-flight MLS this season.
After beginning life in Major League Soccer (MLS) without a win in their first three games, the expansion Portland Timbers played two home games in four days that were a resounding success.
In each game, the Timbers built three-goal leads and had to hang on for victories with more than 18,000 energized fans jammed into the stadium.
And in each game, the Timbersââ¬â¢ Kalif Alhassan, a 20-year-old midfielder from Ghana, provided an impressive spark, with a total of three assists.
ââ¬ÅIn the last month heââ¬â¢s really changed his whole mentality to being a professional,â⬠Portland Coach John Spencer told the clubââ¬â¢s Web site.
ââ¬ÅHe realizes when we donââ¬â¢t have the ball you canââ¬â¢t just play one way. Landon Donovan and Ryan Giggs, all these guys at the top of their game, when they lose the ball, theyââ¬â¢re expected to track back. Thatââ¬â¢s what Kalif struggled with at the start.
ââ¬ÅNow, he realizes that it doesnââ¬â¢t matter how good you are, youââ¬â¢ve got to work your opponent and win your individual battles.
ââ¬ÅTracking back defensively is what Kalif struggled with at the start and now he realizes that it doesnââ¬â¢t matter how good you are, youââ¬â¢ve got to get back behind the ball. I think today was a very good performance from him from start to finish.ââ¬
Last Thursday, the Timbers scored three goals against Chicago, gave up two, then scored late for a 4-2 victory.
On Sunday, Alhassan sandwiched assists on goals by Jack Jewsbury (who appeared in his 200th M.L.S. game) and Rodney Wallace around Kenny Cooperââ¬â¢s second score of the season.
Dallas, which lost to Colorado in last yearââ¬â¢s championship game, scored two late goals, but ran out of time in the Timbersââ¬â¢ 3-2 win.