Kwadwo Poku said he's always ready for his number to be called. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn't.
New York City FC head coach Jason Kreis called upon the Ghanaian midfielder and named him to the Starting XI on Thursday night against D.C. United. Poku was a key factor with one goal and one assist in the Club's 3-1 victory over the Eastern Conference leaders as New York City FC earned a vital three points in the race for the Major League Soccer playoffs.
Here is Poku's day in video, statistics, quotes and more.
By the Numbers
- Registered his team-leading seventh assist of the season in the 51st minute.
- Scored his fourth goal (all competitions) of the season in the 88th minute.
- Started his fourth match of the season.
- New York City FC improved to 4-0-0 when Poku starts.
.@_Poku_Poku dedicates this one to the fans! #NYCFC pic.twitter.com/QPnsy1qLVl
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) August 14, 2015
Poku said:
"(Scoring) was great because I missed a chance like five minutes before that chance and I was so mad. It was 2-1 and what was going on in my mind was like, 'Man, you've got to finish this game somehow before they tie this game.' So I was upset for a little bit, but when I got that goal, it was like, 'Finally, I can breathe now.'"
In the coach's words:
"He was instrumental in almost everything good that hapepned to our team tonight."
Poku, so hot right now. Poku. #NYCFC
— Jonathan Densa (@JonDensa) August 14, 2015
We learned tonight that @_Poku_Poku is the man! #NYCFC
— Kevin Siskar (@TheSiskar) August 14, 2015
@_Poku_Poku Your goal was fantastic! Thank You! @NYCFC #NYCFC
— Nadine Boles (@NadineBoles) August 14, 2015
@_Poku_Poku I choose you pic.twitter.com/eijsQMK7Wo
— NYCFC Pigeon (@NYCFCPigeon) August 14, 2015
Poku is such a legend. Absolute surprise of the season. Love him to bits. Best Ghanaian since Yeboah. #poku #mls #NYCFC @_Poku_Poku
— CTIG (@CTIGUK) August 14, 2015