Fanendo Adi is one goal shy of the half century in MLS, netting 49 in 104 appearances, of which only 85 are starts. His bid to reach 50 goals will depend on how he fares against the Rapids' central defender, Axel Sjöberg, as the Portland Timbers travel to Dick's Sporting Goods Park this Saturday (TICKETS).
Two giants, one at six-foot-seven and the other at six-foot-four, will make for quite a contest in a key area of the field. Adi has eight goals from his 14 appearances this season, including both scores in the 2-0 win over FC Dallas last weekend. Sjöberg has had a stop-start season due to injury, but his presence in the heart of the Rapids defense will add confidence, stability, and a large obstacle for Adi to negotiate.
<img alt="" src="https://colorado-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/Axel%20Sjoberg.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 200px;"> |
<p align="center"><br><br><br><br><br><strong>vs.</strong></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://colorado-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/Adi%2C%20Fanendo.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 200px;"> |
<p align="center">Axel Sjöberg</p> |
<strong>Name</strong> |
<p align="center">Fanendo Adi</p> |
<p align="center">44</p> |
<strong>No.</strong> |
<p align="center">9</p> |
<p align="center">Defender</p> |
<strong>Position</strong> |
<p align="center">Forward</p> |
<p align="center">26</p> |
<strong>Age</strong> |
<p align="center">26</p> |
<p align="center">6'7"</p> |
<strong>Height</strong> |
<p align="center">6'4"</p> |
<p align="center">210lbs</p> |
<strong>Weight</strong> |
<p align="center">185lbs</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://colorado-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/SE.jpg" style="opacity: 0.9; text-align: -webkit-center; width: 75px; height: 50px;"> |
<strong>Nationality</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://colorado-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/Nigeria.jpg" style="opacity: 0.9; text-align: -webkit-center; width: 75px; height: 50px;"> |
<p align="center">2015</p> |
<strong>First joined MLS</strong> |
<p align="center">2014</p> |
<p align="center">3rd season</p> |
<strong>MLS Experience</strong> |
<p align="center">4th season</p> |
<p align="center">48</p> |
<strong>Appearances</strong> |
<p align="center">104</p> |
<p align="center">Thunder Bay Chill (PDL), Sollentuna FF</p> |
<strong>Previous clubs</strong> |
<p align="center">FC Copenhagen, Trenčín, Tavriya Simferopol, Dynamo Kiev, Metalurh Donetsk</p> |
<p align="center">Sjöberg is a hulking center back who enjoyed a breakout season in 2016. He was a finalist for Defender of the Year after helping the Rapids set defensive records, and was named in the MLS Best XI. He is known for his positioning and organization, as well as being a threat on set pieces.</p> |
<strong>What they say …</strong> |
<p align="center">There aren’t many 6-foot-4 target strikers with the nimble feet of Adi. The tall, prototypical No. 9 is a true menace around the area, constantly popping up in dangerous spaces with a key strike or a header. Adi has proved himself as one of the league’s most fearsome threats, both in the air and on the ground.</p> |
