Joe Addo blossoms into one of MLS' best

Well-traveled Ghanaian defender has found a home at sweeper in Tampa Bay

Joseph Addo feels comfortable this season, in MLS, in Tampa Bay and at the sweeper position. As a result, the former Ghana National Team captain has been one of the league's best defenders, and the Mutiny have been one of MLS' best teams.

The 28-year-old came to MLS toward the end of last season. Mutiny Head Coach Tim Hankinson did not want to completely alter his system, so Addo was used sporadically, mostly as an outside or marking back.

"Last year when I got here, I didn't know the American system. It took me a while to get used to it," Addo said. "This year, I kind of know the ins and outs of the league. I'm getting respect from my teammates and the coach. That has really improved my game."

The 6-0 defender didn't start either of Tampa Bay's playoff games a year ago, both losses. After settling in Tampa in the offseason, Addo showed his talents during the preseason, quickly earning a starting role. Still, things weren't perfect. After several early season games, the Mutiny switched to a three-back formation, allowing Addo to assume his coveted sweeper role.

"When the year started we played four flat in the back, but now he's playing me as a libero, my natural position," Addo said. "He is very happy with what I'm doing, and I'm very happy with the way I'm being used."

Addo uses his speed to cover for defensive mistakes in the back for the Mutiny. The soccer veteran relies on many years of international experience to make the right choices for Tampa Bay from defense.

"I'm one of those defenders who can fortunately move the ball, pass the ball, shoot and score. If you limit me to mark somebody, you are not getting 100 percent from me," Addo said. "Tim has given me a free role, I can go forward and give passes. I can also sweep in the back.

"It's very important for defensive players to start an attack, we can't get too defensive. It's better for us to posses the ball, because most strikers won't defend a defender."

Addo has been all over the world soccer map. He has played on two top clubs in Germany, beginning his career there with V.F.B. Stuttgart in 1993. Addo stayed in Stuttgart, a side he considers the best he has every played on, featuring then rising Bundesliga stars Giovanni Elber and Mattias Sammer. After three seasons at Stuttgart, he spent one year with F.S.V. Frankurt.

The Ghanaian then spent a year in Holland, his favorite place to live, with Sparta Rotterdam from 1996-97. Addo followed that with stints at O.S. Belenenses (Portugal) and finally Ethnikos F.C. (Greece). He has played in top divisions all over Europe, and still in his prime at age 27 he opted for MLS. Addo was allocated to Tampa Bay on August 1, 1999.

"I went to school in America, and I loved it here. I didn't have to learn any new language. English is my first language in Ghana," said Addo, who speaks four languages. "I really enjoyed my experience at George Mason and always wanted to come back."

For all the places Addo has been, Accra, Ghana is his true home. When he first came to MLS, very few Ghanaians had heard of the league, then in its fourth season. The anonymity cost him a place on the Ghana National Team, for which he has earned 44 caps. When a national team callup did come, he committed to the Mutiny for the remainder of this season.

He will rejoin the Ghanaian National Team for a World Cup qualifier in January. Once word spread of Addo's success and happiness in Major League Soccer, the league quickly became popular in his native country.

"Surprisingly, players in Ghana would never come here three or four years ago. Now, most of the Ghanaian players want to come here, because of what they've seen on ESPN (International)," Addo said. "Most of our MLS games are telecast in Ghana, so they see and want to come here."

Before he focuses on trying to help Ghana to its first World Cup ever, Addo's goal is to help Tampa Bay to its first MLS Cup appearance. The Mutiny, due in part to an impressive defensive unit, stand atop the Central Division at the All-Star break with a 12-9-2 (38 points) record.

"I think we have a team that can win the championship. We have a very strong team, with a good mix of young and old players," he said. "We have a lot of experience on the team and we have caliber of team that can win the league. I don't see any team that is better than us."

If you watch most MLS games, you won't see many defenders better than Tampa Bay's number 18. Hardly a flamboyant character, Addo has not gained much recognition across the league. However, those who have seen him will clearly recall the goal-saving clears and breakaway-preventing tackles he makes each and every week. Addo was not voted into the starting lineup for the East team, nor was he chosen as a reserve by MetroStars Head Coach Octavio Zambrano.

"I would have loved to be in the All-Star game, it is a great honor and privilege. But now, I will work very hard next year to be in it," Addo said. "It's not a huge thing for me, I've played in two Olympic Games, World Cup qualifiers, and African Nations Cup games."

Content to rest during the All-Star break, Addo can focus on a bigger goal. He hopes to help MLS grow both in this country and beyond. His smooth, world-class defending has helped raise the caliber of play in the league, which is seen as greatly improved by many this season.

"I want to help to build this league as much as possible. It is a new league that is coming up and I want to be one of the pioneers of this league. My goal is to help this league be a strong league and contend with the European leagues," Addo said. "I think that's the main reason I came here. It is better for me to show the young guys growing up here how it is done. I'm privileged to be part of MLS."