over 3 years ago· edited over 3 years ago· History
Musa not in the match day squad. He hasn't featured since 22nd September. Rising (12th, 39 pts) basically need to win their last 2 games to make the playoffs (top 7 teams). Today's opponent RGV are 6th (43 pts), with a cluster of other teams vying for the playoffs.
No idea of Musa's (age 30) contract status at the American Phoenix, but either him or the now free agent Nikko Boxall (also 30) would be a handy pickup for the NZ version Phoenix. That's if Tim Payne is predominatly a RB this season, leaving Surman as the sole CB squad cover.
Edit - Rising lose 2-1 at RGV, so their season is over with one game left, ie can't make the USL playoffs. Fall from grace, after being a powerhouse juggernaut in the USL in recent seasons.
over 3 years ago· edited over 3 years ago· History
Been offline for a little while, so just now catching up with some goings on.
Seems the Moose has switched from his familiar desert climes of Phoenix for those of the Rockies and he joins the Switchbacks for 2023.
Happy to stay stateside, looks like he just needed a change of scenery after not being the ever present we've become accustomed to in Phoenix over the past few years. Could definitely think of worse places to end up!
Please give a very warm welcome to the newest Switchbacks member joining us in 2023, James Musa!
Colorado Springs 'Switchbacks' had a good season in 2023, finishing 3rd in the USL Western Conference, and making the Conference final. Losing 2-0 to USL Champions San Antonio (Elliot Collier's club).
about 3 years ago· edited about 3 years ago· History
Unused sub in a 2-1 win. Colorado with a 92nd min winner.
Liam Rose a full game for El Paso. Still only 25. Would be a useful midfield pickup for the Nix for next season. Looks like Jon Hutchinson (ex CCM) no longer coaches El Paso. You would think Rose would be keen to return to the ALM, if he got a good offer??
His peak years were at Phoenix Rising when they almost unbeatable in the USL. From there got his gig at Minnesota, but my memories of his 6 MLS apperances were a few bad defensive errors, and his career has been on a slow downhill since.
But Indy Eleven are 3rd in the USL East, so if he becomes a regular starter there, he must still be playing okay.
It used to be that most of the USL Kiwis played in the Western Division, now they are all in the East.
His peak years were at Phoenix Rising when they almost unbeatable in the USL. From there got his gig at Minnesota, but my memories of his 6 MLS apperances were a few bad defensive errors, and his career has been on a slow downhill since.
But Indy Eleven are 3rd in the USL East, so if he becomes a regular starter there, he must still be playing okay.
It used to be that most of the USL Kiwis played in the Western Division, now they are all in the East.
Its a pity he was let go by the Nix. I think he would have done well had we kept him.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites
His peak years were at Phoenix Rising when they almost unbeatable in the USL. From there got his gig at Minnesota, but my memories of his 6 MLS apperances were a few bad defensive errors, and his career has been on a slow downhill since.
But Indy Eleven are 3rd in the USL East, so if he becomes a regular starter there, he must still be playing okay.
It used to be that most of the USL Kiwis played in the Western Division, now they are all in the East.
Its a pity he was let go by the Nix. I think he would have done well had we kept him.
Not if Ricki kept playing him at LB, admittedly that was due to lack of other options.
Only things I can recall about him during his Nix stint was thinking he would be better at DM and him having a really long throw in.
about 1 month ago· edited about 1 month ago· History
Niche Cache
One more transfer for you. James Musa left Indy Eleven at the end of last season, now the 33yo has signed with Fort Wayne. Keeps him in the State of Indiana albeit drops him down to the tier below. Apparently Fort Wayne just opened a flash new stadium and have been granted entry to League One as an expansion team after spending the previous five years in USL League Two. No promotion and relegation in these parts (although they are talking about incorporating it) so to go up a division you’ve gotta lobby the bureaucrats.
We’re a long way removed from James Musa being anywhere near national team consideration so he’s just trying to find a spot where he can be valued. He’ll get that with Fort Wayne as a senior player with huge experience in the divisions above. Fort Wayne will be the eighth club in America that the Moose has played for since he left Team Wellington in 2016.
James Musa: “It’s an exciting time for football in Fort Wayne and I’m extremely honoured to be joining the club for its inaugural USL League One season. From my first conversations with the club, I felt the ambition and commitment to building something special here. I’m looking forward to representing this city and giving everything I have for the club, my teammates, and the fans. I can’t wait for the season to start and to help bring success to Fort Wayne in this new era of professional football.”
Fort Wayne Football Club has bolstered its roster with the addition of James Musa, whose résumé includes over 300 professional appearances, including 7 matches in MLS, 231 matches at the USL Championship level and 3 appearances with New Zealand’s National Team at the senior… pic.twitter.com/kLdJ3sV9Cy