WNY Flash Academy adds Asani Samuels to coaching staff

ELMA, N.Y. (Via Western New York Flash) – Fresh off a 2015 USL Championship title, Asani Samuels has been announced as the WNY Flash Academy’s the newest addition to its staff. Samuels will join the club as a coach with boys side of the Academy.

“Bringing Asani to the Flash is another positive statement that the Flash Academy has made,” said Academy Director of Coaching Daniel Clitnovici. “We continue to strengthen the boys side of our program by adding a true professional that can be a strong mentor and coach for these players.”

Samuels, a native of Jamaica, helped lead the Rochester Rhinos to the 2015 USL title, scoring both of the Rhinos goals en route to being named the match’s Most Valuable Player. The Rhinos were the best team in the USL all year, dominating the regular-season with a 17-1-10 record.

Though from Jamaica, Samuels has ties to the Western New York area beyond the Rhinos. In 2013, Samuels played for FC Buffalo and is also a graduate of Canisius College. Samuels graduated from Canisius in 2014 and finished his career with the Golden Griffins with 38 points on 16 goals and 6 assists. The forward was honored three times by the NSCAA and was a two-time All-MAAC award recipient.

“I hope to teach the players to be more confident, to be comfortable with the ball at their feet. I want them composed when they receive the ball, calm, and more technical,” Samuels said. “These kids, a couple years from now, will be the ones playing Division I and maybe on to professional. I want to help them out in any way I can.”