{"id":24155,"date":"2019-08-07T21:14:49","date_gmt":"2019-08-08T01:14:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonsoccer.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=24155"},"modified":"2019-08-07T21:14:49","modified_gmt":"2019-08-08T01:14:49","slug":"tony-tchani-signs-fc-edmonton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2019\/08\/07\/tony-tchani-signs-fc-edmonton\/","title":{"rendered":"Tony Tchani, Veteran MLS Midfielder, Signs With FC Edmonton"},"content":{"rendered":"

EDMONTON, AB. (August 7, 2019)<\/strong> – On the final day of the Canadian transfer window, veteran MLS midfielder, Tony Tchani, signed with FC Edmonton.\u00a0 In mid-July, Jeff Paulus, Head Coach for the Eddies, had told Last Word on Soccer he <\/span>intended on signing another player soon<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Veteran MLS midfielder, Tony Tchani, signs with FC Edmonton<\/h2>\n

In a <\/span>press release on Wednesday<\/span><\/a>, FC Edmonton announced the transaction – pending a medical and ITC clearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Playing in MLS<\/h3>\n

Tony Tchani <\/span>played in the MLS from 2010 to 2018<\/span><\/a>, registering 15 goals in 212 regular season matches, plus one goal in ten playoff matches.\u00a0 Of those 212 regular season matches, Tchani started in 178 matches.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He averaged just shy of 75 minutes of playing time per game over his MLS career.\u00a0 Taking a look at minutes played in games he started, Tchani has shown he can play a full 90-minutes on a regular basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

The midfielder was selected second overall in the 2010 MLS Super Draft by the New York Red Bulls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tchani spent most of his time with Columbus Crew from 2011 to 2017.\u00a0 Book-ending his time in Columbus was stints in Canada. Tchani played 13 games with Toronto FC in 2011, and 27 matches with Vancouver Whitecaps in 2017.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chicago Fire and release<\/h3>\n

In 2018, Tchani moved to Chicago Fire where he played 13 matches before being waived by the team.\u00a0 In fact, Tchani\u2019s signing with the Eddies comes two days short of a year from his departure from the Fire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prior to his departure from the Fire, Tchani scored his final MLS goal on July 7, 2018, against the Vancouver White Caps.\u00a0 He was subbed on for 12 minutes and managed to score Chicago\u2019s only goal of the game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tchani to give a boost in Fall Season<\/h3>\n

At 6\u20194\u201d, the 30-year-old will add a strong presence to the Eddies\u2019 midfield.\u00a0 With FC Edmonton only having 13 games to go in the Fall Season, they are currently in fourth.\u00a0 Despite being in fourth they are only two points behind Forge FC and Cavalry FC, although, Cavalry has a game-in-hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the press release, Paulus said, \u201cTony is a player that will bring us incredible experience down the stretch.\u201d\u00a0 Paulus\u2019 expectations are that Tchani will \u201cadd a veteran presence to our roster and has the ability to dominate midfield and keep us in possession of the ball.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How soon will Tchani be ready?<\/h3>\n

The question will be how soon will Tchani be game ready?\u00a0 This Saturday, FC Edmonton plays Pacific FC at home. Perhaps that will be too soon to see him play, but Tchani would certainly be a welcomed addition next week when they head south for Al Classico to play Cavalry FC at Spruce Meadows.\u00a0 So far this year, Cavalry has had the Eddies\u2019 number. Will Tchani be the key to unlocking the Eddies\u2019 offence against Cavalry?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>