The opportunities to step on the field this season have been limited for Kwadwo Poku.
But the midfielder knows the importance of making the most of the chances he’ll get and that’s just what he did Wednesday night at BMO Field.
Poku was one of seven changes coach Patrick Vieira made following a hard-working win in Portland Sunday and ahead of the derby match against the New York Red Bulls Saturday.
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It was his third start of the season and first since a 2-0 loss to Philadelphia April 23.
“It’s a great feeling,” Poku said. “Every player wants to be on the field, especially me. I want to play. Getting in the starting XI, I’m just in there to help as much as I can as always and I did my part.”
Poku certainly did that, scoring his first goal of his second season with NYCFC in the 16th minute. The midfielder ran onto a cross from Steven Mendoza that deflected off the head of Patrick Mullins, took two touches into the box and curled a perfect shot into the side netting to give NYCFC an early 1-0 lead. It was his first goal since a brace against Columbus in a 2-2 draw on August 19, 2015.
“Getting the ball out wide, getting it into the box, I thought why don’t I just go for it?” Poku said. “I know it was a good goal and I’m happy for that goal.”
Now Poku and his teammates shift their focus to Saturday afternoon’s massive match against the Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium.
WATCH KWADWO POKU AND THE REST OF NYCFC AT THE NEW YORK DERBY ON MAY 21
“I think everyone is ready for the Red Bulls because they are our rival and it’s a big game and they’re a good team,” Poku said. “What happened last year, there was stuff that didn’t go our way. Today it’s a new challenge, new players and a new team. I know everyone is playing to win.”
