If the Michigan Stars are known for anything, its the bone-crushing tackles and aggressive defense approach the team takes. A key part of that is the club’s backline, led by Devon Amoo-Mensah. We sat down for a chat with the talented defender for a player profile.

Can you talk about your path into soccer? How did you find the game and what made you fall in love with it?

My love for sports started before I could even walk. I come from a very athletic family. Both of my my parents were college athletes and had me while still in school. So from the time I was born, I was raised in high level environment with a love for sports. I think a lot of kids in the US play multiple sports when they are kids. When I was little, my parents signed me up for everything - I played soccer, basketball, baseball and football. As I got a little older, soccer was the sport that I really started to fall in love with. My mom was a soccer player and my dad played American football but being Ghanaian, he loved and appreciated soccer just as much. My love and passion for the game wasn’t one of those things that just happened instantly but more gradually. The harder I worked, the better I got, the more fun I had and the more my love for the game grew. I still love it and am blessed to be able to play for a living.

You had a pretty accomplished collegiate career including some impressive awards, what are you most proud of from that part of your career?

Despite all the individual awards from college, the biggest accomplishment for me was coming back from an ACL tear my sophomore year. A long term injury like that is something I wouldn’t wish on anybody. It took an incredible amount of mental and physical toughness to get through those months and it forced me to do a lot of soul searching. What I realized during that process was that I had goals much bigger than this injury and I was laser focused on rehabbing and getting back to the game I loved, better than ever. Looking back I truly believe everything happens for a reason and I wouldn't change anything about that experience because it taught me so much about myself. It's given me a greater appreciation for the work I do on a daily basis and helped me to realize my full potential. Adversity only makes you stronger.

When you finished your time at Lewis University you went abroad and played in Europe. What was that experience like? Where did you play?

After college, I was fortunate enough to have a connection with a group called Bridges FC , based in Chicago, ran by coach/former professional Bret Hall. Every year Bridges does a trip to Scandinavia, either Sweden, Denmark or Finland, trying to help aspiring professionals break their way into the game abroad. The year I went, we went to Denmark and were hosted by a team HB Køge in the Danish 1st Division. We had the opportunity to play against them and other Danish 1st and 2nd Division teams. For me, it was a great opportunity to see how competitive and technically sound every body is at the professional level. After some games in Denmark, I was connected to a Division 2 team in Sweden, FK Almeboda/Linneryd in which I eventually signed for. The experience was a dream come true - being able to live in another country and play the game I love everyday. Even though the reality of where I started out is not the glamorous European soccer that you see on tv, it was still an amazing experience. Every team, every player is battling their way to the top and being in an environment where there is the possibility of promotion and/or relegation brings a different level of intensity to every practice and game. That’s why NISA is such a refreshing idea in the US because it has the potential to bring that same passion into our soccer system and gives more players the opportunity to battle their way to the top.

You've been a pro for Michigan Stars for two seasons now, how do you feel about NISA overall and the Stars position within the league?

When I signed with the Stars before the Fall 2020 season, I think the team as a whole was still trying to find its identity. Now that we’ve gotten to know each other as well as understand our strengths and weaknesses, we have been able to build and grow as a team. Starting a team from scratch can be difficult. Building a team culture and style of play under the circumstances of covid was challenging but I have been impressed by how far we have come as a team. I'm equally as impressed with NISA as a whole and what it stands for. I admire their role in trying to change the culture in the US by building a pro/rel system. It is something special and gives so many other players a platform to showcase their talent.

A lot of NISA people might not have heard of you before that play in the Legends Cup against Bobcats where you saved that shot when the keeper was out. Can you talk about that play specifically? How did it play out? Was it special to you or just another day in the office?

It’s no secret that we have one of the best keepers in the league with Tatenda in the goal. Part of what makes our defense so strong is his ability and speed to come off the line and read the long balls played over the top. In that particular sequence, I remember seeing him out of the box - but instead of heading it out, he was trying to control it under pressure. So just to be safe, I made my way towards the goal as a cover if anything were to happen. In the moment, I was just trying to be that last line of security that Tatenda often is for us. As the play continued to unfold, I quickly realized I was not just the cover but the last option to help stop the goal. As the Bobcat striker hit the ball I was in the perfect position to flick it up over the crossbar. A play like that is definitely out of the ordinary, so I would say it was a special moment... but in all honesty, I would prefer not to make those plays as we try to limit mistakes that put ourselves in those desperate situations.

How has your time been with Michigan Stars? A lot of people are critical of the ownership, is that ever a distraction for you or the team?

I have enjoyed my time with the Stars. Coach Strehmel and I are very aligned in coaching/playing styles which has allowed me to come in and make an impact on the team right away. I personally don’t get involved in those comments about the Stars ownership. I have a great relationship with my teammates and am focused on the job I'm here to do. My role here is to be a leader and perform on the field.

A lot was made of your club's decision to not participate in the EDI event at Legends Cup. Did you know about that event and did you freely decide not to participate?

To put it simply, that event was great for the league and I’m happy to see it was successful. It represented something much bigger than soccer and I think it was very important that it was held. The past year and a half has been difficult for everybody for many reasons and I have personally felt the sting of it- the pandemic, race relations, etc. As happy as I am to play the game I love everyday, I am acutely aware of the work that still needs to be done to make lasting change.

Your team is known for aggressive defense, counter attacking, hard nosed soccer. How do you feel about that reputation? Is it a fair characterization?

I think that’s a fair characterization. As a team, we pride ourselves on our ability against the ball on defense. Until the Chattanooga game, we hadn’t given up a goal in the run of play throughout the spring season so our defense has remained a critical part of how we play and get going as a team. On the other side of the ball, I think we are growing more and more in our ability to keep & posses the ball with purpose. As the season goes on, I believe our best games are still ahead of us.

How do you feel about Stars chances of finishing top of the table this season? Any matches on the schedule stand out at big ones?

I like our chances a lot. Teams seem to have extra motivation when they play us and we know we have to show up and battle for every result and we are definitely up for the challenge. Of course, being from the same area...most people think Detroit FC is going to be "the big one" but honestly we look at every game as a big one. We are all just happy to compete and look forward to all the games.

What music do you listen to get fired up before a match?

I’m big into hip hop/rap so my favorite artists right now are Lil Baby, G Herbo and Gunna. Can never go wrong with some Drake either.

Chips Ahoy: Original or Chewy?

Definitely chips ahoy chewy with the Reese’s peanut butter cups in them