Ansu Toure
Encyclopedia
Ansu Toure is a Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...

n footaller who currently plays for FC Locarno
FC Locarno
FC Locarno is a Swiss football club based in Locarno. It was founded in 1906 and was played in Swiss Super League during periods of 1930-1931, 1933-1936, 1945-1953 and 1986-1987.-Current squad:As of 27 July, 2011....

 in the Swiss Challenge League.

Youth and Amateur

Toure played five years of youth soccer with Genesis Football Club in his native Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...

, before moving with his family to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1999. He graduated from Park Center Senior High School
Park Center Senior High School
Park Center Senior High School is a three-year public high school located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on 7300 Brooklyn Blvd. The principal is Kelli Parpart and the assistant principals are Heather Miller-Cink and Bart Becker...

 in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
According to the 2010 census, there were 75,781 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 52% White, 24% African American, 1% Native American, 15% Asian, 42 residents identifying themselves as Pacific Islander, 4% from other races, and 4% from two or more races...

, before taking courses in sport management at North Hennepin Community College
North Hennepin Community College
North Hennepin Community College is a two-year college located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, primarily serving the communities of the northwestern portion of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. Established in 1966 as North Hennepin State Junior College with 414 students , the college...

 in 2005 and 2006. The midfielder's elementary school in Liberia was known as 'Mission for Today'. Toure also netted 27 goals in 14 appearances for the St. Paul Twin Stars
St. Paul Twin Stars
Minnesota Twin Stars is an American soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 2005, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Midwest Division. Prior to the 2011 season the...

 in the National Premier Soccer League
National Premier Soccer League
The National Premier Soccer League is a United States soccer league recognized by the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA as a Division IV league...

 in 2006.

Professional

Toure first entered the United Soccer Leagues First Division with Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...

 in July 2006, and in two seasons with the Thunder, Toure scored six goals and added one assist in 34 appearances. Prior to the start of his second season in Minnesota, Toure played in eight preseason matches during a two-month trial with New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...

. During his spell with the Red Bulls, Toure scored a goal against Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...

 as well as the game-winner against D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

. Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...

 commented on Toure that he had a nice hard shot and was getting better every week. Despite Toure impressing Red Bulls coach Arena he was not offered a contract.

Toure transferred to the Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...

 in 2008, eventually scoring six goals and recording four assists in 19 matches. Two of Toure’s six goals last season came in Atlanta's 3-2 loss to the Whitecaps on August 10. Four days after the Whitecaps match, Toure was traded to Miami FC
Miami FC
Fort Lauderdale Strikers is an American professional association football team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...

 for midfielder Sean Cameron
Sean Cameron (soccer)
Sean Cameron is an American-born Guyanese footballer currently playing for Miami FC in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-Youth and college:...

. As a member of the Blues, the winger assisted on one goal during his eight appearances.

On 21 January 2009 Toure joined Vancouver Whitecaps, signing a two year contract. He scored his first goal for the team on June 9, 2010 against the Carolina RailHawks.

In February 2011, Toure signed a deal with Swiss Challenge League club FC Locarno
FC Locarno
FC Locarno is a Swiss football club based in Locarno. It was founded in 1906 and was played in Swiss Super League during periods of 1930-1931, 1933-1936, 1945-1953 and 1986-1987.-Current squad:As of 27 July, 2011....

.

International

Toure has played for the U-14, U-15 and U-20 Liberian national teams. Toure has also received a call-up to Liberia’s senior side, but was unable to attend due to club commitments.

Personal

Toure received his United States citizenship in 2007, but continues to hold Liberian sporting nationality due to his youth and senior call-ups.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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