Harrison Afful’s 2018 with Crew SC got off to a stronger start than in 2017.
It helped, first of all, that he was present. Afful and teammate Jonathan Mensah missed a significant chunk of preseason last year while playing for Ghana’s national team at the Africa Cup of Nations, missing training camp in Brazil and joining the Crew just in time for its visit to the Carolina Challenge Cup.
The abbreviated fitness-building last season, Afful said, was a challenge.
“Last year was a bit difficult for me because I didn’t start with the team for the whole preseason,” Afful said. “This year, thank God I’m able to start with them and then finish with them also.”
Afful was a rare bright spot for the Crew in 2016, when the team went 8-14-12, providing three goals and three assists in 30 starts at right back. His 2017 kicked off to a slower start. Afful needed time to readjust to MLS play and missed 10 regular-season games because of various injuries and in the three weeks that followed the birth of his son, Kendrick.
Afful’s longest stretch of consecutive starts didn’t start until Sept. 16, when he appeared in 10 straight matches at the end of the regular season through the team’s 2017 playoff run.
“It takes a while, you know? The national team is not like the club level. Some of the facilities you get at the club level are way better than the national team, so it was very tough for me, but what can I say?” Afful said. “I’m a player, so when the national team needs me, I have to go and do my best to help the nation.”
The start to this season has been different. In the late preseason, the 31-year-old defender had the look of a more prepared player, giving teams problems in transition and establishing a noticeable chemistry with new Crew forward Gyasi Zardes on short crosses.
“He has done a good job of building his strength and building his performances throughout preseason. I think he has had an excellent preseason,” Crew coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter said of Afful. “You look at some of the performances he has had, and it’s really outstanding. We want him to keep building on that.”
His abilities grabbed the attention of Toronto FC, which at times Saturday closed off the right side of the Crew’s attack, opening up room to work on the left. In the Crew’s 2-0 win, the first goal came with an assist from left back Milton Valenzuela and the second came after Pedro Santos raced in open space on the left side.
“When they close one side, there is always space open somewhere,” Afful said. “That is what we took advantage of and then we got the goals.”
Healthy and prepared for the season, Afful isn’t worried. Those assigned to mark him on the right side might feel differently.
“This year is really good for me to be able to do all of the preseason,” Afful said. “I hope I’ll get more time and then be able to play well. I’m just looking forward to every game.”
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