Sanna’s advice helped steer Sainey Nyassi towards FC Edmonton

Last year, Sanna Nyassi was a member of the Montreal Impact, and started both legs of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal against FC Edmonton. A last-gasp Patrice Bernier penalty kick allowed Montreal to snatch that series from the Eddies.

But the Eddies’ play over those 180 minutes made a lasting impression on the Gambian player, who has since moved on to the San Jose Earthquakes. So, when his twin brother, Sainey, was looking for a club, Sanna gave the Eddies a glowing review.

Sainey decided to take up the Eddies’ offer and joined the NASL side after spending the 2014 season with RoPS of the Finnish League. Before that, Sainey had played 118 MLS matches with New England and D.C. United.

“My brother played here in Edmonton with Montreal,” Sainey said after the Eddies’ training camp session on Wednesday. “He said he was impressed by their quality, that they were a good team. He said that they were very lucky to win the last time they played.”

And, so, after a year in Europe, Sainey is back in North America, where he feels more comfortable.

“For me, it feels like I am back in the mix. I’ve had some great talks with the coach (Colin Miller), I know what I’m here for. I’m here to help this team win. I know he wants me to help this team win games. And when I got here, I was very impressed by the quality of the players. There are many players here on this team who are MLS-calibre. I used to think there was a big difference in quality between MLS and NASL; but, outside of a few things, I can see the difference between the two leagues is not that great.”

Miller said additions like Nyassi — a speedster who will help provide for the strikers — and Icelandic winger Oskar Orn Hauksson will boost the team’s offence, without forcing an overhaul at the striker position. Frank Jonke, who struggled with a concussion last season and trained for the first time on Wednesday, Daryl Fordyce and Tomi Ameobi should benefit from improved service and support.

Nyassi said the reason he didn’t stay in Finland was that it was hard to play in a country where soccer is rated so far below hockey in its culture.(OK, I know what you’re gonna say here — “And he decided to come to CANADA?” I will make allowance for that right now.)

“The quality of the play is very good, it’s a very good league. But there are not a lot fans, because soccer is not as popular as hockey or basketball there.”

And does Sainey dream of rejoining Sanna in MLS? Yes, but it’s not his focus.

“Sure, the reason I came back is to get myself in the mix. I’d certainly like to play again in MLS one day. But that is not my focus right now. I am focused on this league and this team.”