Richard Asante
Encyclopedia
Richard Asante is a former Canadian
/Ghana
ian soccer player who last plays for Portugal FC
.
twice and being named 2001 Ontario Youth Soccer League MVP in his high school years.
In 2003 Asante went on a soccer scholarship to Syracuse University
, in his first season he managed to play in 16 games, scoring one goal, and was named Big East Rookie of the Week on October 27.
In his senior year with Syracuse Asante was the winner of the Frank Schantz Award for his commitment to Orange program through performance, character, and citizenship, was named into NSCAA All-Region Second Team, and All-Big East Honorable Mention. On January 19, 2007 Asante was drafted by Toronto FC
as the 27th overall pick of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft
, but on May 18 Asante mutually agreed with Toronto to release him from his contract.
On May 11 he signed with the Toronto Lynx
of the USL Premier Development League
, but after appearing in only two games he left the team and signed than in 2008 for Italia Shooters
. Throughout the season Asante helped the Shooters win their second International Division title. In the playoff run he contributed helping the Shooters advance to the semifinals, but unfortunately the Shooters were defeated by eventual champions Serbian White Eagles
in the semi-final match. In 2010 Asante, signed a contract with Portugal FC
where he was reunited with head coach Carmine Isacco
, who was previously his coach during his tenure in Vaughan. He made his Portugal FC debut on May 8, 2010 in a match against TFC Academy
.
at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
, where he helped Canada reach the quarter-finals but eventually losing to runners-up Spain
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
/Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
ian soccer player who last plays for Portugal FC
Portugal FC
SC Toronto is a Canadian soccer team, founded in 2001. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League, the third tier of the Canadian soccer pyramid and the largest domestic professional soccer league in Canada...
.
Early life
He was born in Ghana, but he and his parents moved to Canada and he now holds Canadian citizenship.Career
Asante played his youth soccer with Toronto club C.S. Azzurri. Then played with Westview Centennial, winning the Ontario CupOntario Cup
The Ontario Cup is a soccer tournament for clubs based in the province of Ontario in Canada. It began play in 1901 under the Canadian Football Association, now known as the Ontario Soccer Association.-History:...
twice and being named 2001 Ontario Youth Soccer League MVP in his high school years.
In 2003 Asante went on a soccer scholarship to Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, in his first season he managed to play in 16 games, scoring one goal, and was named Big East Rookie of the Week on October 27.
In his senior year with Syracuse Asante was the winner of the Frank Schantz Award for his commitment to Orange program through performance, character, and citizenship, was named into NSCAA All-Region Second Team, and All-Big East Honorable Mention. On January 19, 2007 Asante was drafted by Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
as the 27th overall pick of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft
2007 MLS SuperDraft
The 2007 MLS SuperDraft, was held in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 12, 2007. It was the eighth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection belonged to expansion team Toronto FC.The SuperDraft was followed by the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft....
, but on May 18 Asante mutually agreed with Toronto to release him from his contract.
On May 11 he signed with the Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....
of the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, but after appearing in only two games he left the team and signed than in 2008 for Italia Shooters
Italia Shooters
York Region Shooters are a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1998. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League, the third tier of soccer in the Canadian soccer pyramid and the largest domestic pro league in Canada....
. Throughout the season Asante helped the Shooters win their second International Division title. In the playoff run he contributed helping the Shooters advance to the semifinals, but unfortunately the Shooters were defeated by eventual champions Serbian White Eagles
Serbian White Eagles
Serbian White Eagles Football Club is a Canadian soccer team. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League....
in the semi-final match. In 2010 Asante, signed a contract with Portugal FC
Portugal FC
SC Toronto is a Canadian soccer team, founded in 2001. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League, the third tier of the Canadian soccer pyramid and the largest domestic professional soccer league in Canada...
where he was reunited with head coach Carmine Isacco
Carmine Isacco
Carmine Isacco is a Canadian soccer coach and retired player. He is currently the head coach of SC Toronto of the Canadian Soccer League.-Playing career:...
, who was previously his coach during his tenure in Vaughan. He made his Portugal FC debut on May 8, 2010 in a match against TFC Academy
TFC Academy
TFC Academy are the youth academy of Canadian MLS club Toronto FC which was founded in 2008. The academy competes in the Canadian Soccer League, the highest professional soccer league operating entirely within Canada...
.
International career
Asante represent the Canada U-20 national teamCanada U-20 men's national soccer team
Canada U-20 men's national soccer team, also known as Canada Under-20s or Canada U-20s, is the youth club for national soccer in Canada. It plays a large role in the development of Canadian soccer, and is considered to be the feeder team for the Canada men's national soccer team...
at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in United Arab Emirates between November 27 and December 19, 2003. The 2003 championship was the 14th contested...
, where he helped Canada reach the quarter-finals but eventually losing to runners-up Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Coaching career
He finished in November 2011 his career and founded the Asante Soccer Academy, besides works as Head coach of his Academy.Honours
- Ontario Youth Soccer League MVP 2001
- Westview's Player of the Year 2001-02
- Big East Rookie of the Week October 2003
- Frank Schantz Award 2004