Sanna Nyassi is no stranger to MLS. Some may even be under the impression that he is already playing in the league. That is because his twin brother, Sainey Nyassi is currently a member of the New England Revolution while Sanna has been on trial with the Sounders.
The third player to sign with Seattle, Nyassi, 20, has impressed this preseason. The youngster is known for his ability to go left or right and for his lightning quickness. At 5-7, the Gambian-born winger is a player who can beat defenders with his dribbling ability, using his diminutive frame as an advantage.
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While known primarily for his speed, he is also a player who takes his opportunities when he gets them as he showed by scoring three goals and adding an assist in the team’s first three preseason games. He also has drawn praise for his work ethic and diligence on the practice field.
Nyassi has plenty of soccer experience, having played in Gambia from 2004-2007, winning the championship in 2006 and the Gambian version of the FA Cup in 2007. He has also represented Gambia’s U-17 and U-20 teams with his twin brother.
Though Sanna is not the exact same player as his twin, it should be considered a good sign that Sainey has played well with the Revolution, because they are basically the same size and weight at 135 pounds. Sainey is not a star with New England, but he and Sanna are only 20 year-olds, and have far to go before they mature into the best players they can be.
Fairly quiet and reserved so far, Nyassi may find himself a bit overwhelmed by the level of play he is going to be up against this season. Nyassi will be asked to go up against players that will often dwarf him in height, but soccer is a sport where sometimes the little guy has the advantage. Some of the best players in the world are quite small in stature such as Lionel Messi, who stands at 5-6, and is already considered a legend within the game.
While no one would compare Nyassi to Messi, it should be noted that his height and small frame could be an advantage rather than a detriment to his ability. Smaller players often have quicker movements than larger ones, and Nyassi’s first three steps are very fast. It is often more important to have cut-back speed in soccer than all-out sprint-speed, and Nyassi certainly brings the ability to change direction at a moment’s notice.
It should help Nyassi that he spent parts of last year with the USL Sounders, but MLS is an entirely different game than the USL and he will have to prove that he can fight it out with the big boys. However, with a successful brother already playing in the league, Nyassi should be able to shine, provided he gets his time on the pitch.
Reach Alden Walcon at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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