Fourteen-Year-Old Signs with Phoenix Rising FC

_{Frida Mata}

_{Phoenix Rising FC has signed 14-year-old forward Ansuh Kanneh as the sixth academy player in club history. Kanneh will register as a  United Soccer League Academy Player, and becomes one of the youngest to be signed to the clubs roster in USL Championship history.}

_{During a press release, Rising FC head coach Rick Schantz mentioned Ansuh’s great athleticism and skills.}

_{“He’s very quick, very agile. When we brought him into training, he was very humble, very respectful. His family fought hard to come to America and gain citizenship. The way he behaves and fits right in…for a kid his age, it is very impressive,”  Schantz said.}

_{Schantz also added that their plan is to use their top players to educate younger and incoming athletes who come into the organization.}

_{“To have a player at this age playing with Junior Flemmings and Soloman Asante – that’s the next step in our evolution as an organization, to use the experience of our top guys to help educate our youth players,” he said.}

_{Kanneh was born in Liberia, and now resides in Glendale where he began his soccer career with Phoenix Rush, and then joined Phoenix Rising FC’s academy in May. Kanneh not only stands out in the field, but also stands out in the classroom as he enters his junior year of high school at the age of 14. At the age of 12, he scored 32 goals for the junior varsity team at North High School in Phoenix then a year later scored another 15 goals while playing for the varsity team.}

_{“It’s exciting to be able to develop and learn from good players,” said Kanneh. “I’m really happy. All the professional players here are humble, and they work hard. I’m learning a lot from them. I’m working hard to get to the level they are at right now. My goal now is to make the top 18 for a match this season.”}