Kenyan midfielder delighted to be learning from MLS legend

Kenyan midfielder Philip Mayaka who is partnering with Major Soccer League (MLS) legend Collen Warner at the heart of Colorado Rapids II midfield is delighted to be sipping wisdom from the veteran.

Warner has turned out for a number of clubs in the MLS including Minnesota United which is home to Kenyan defender Nabi Kibunguchy, Club de Foot Montréal which is skippered by Victor Wanyama, Toronto FC and Houston Dynamo.

Mayaka joined Colorado Rapids back in January 2021 during the MLS Draft Pick but was immediately shipped out on loan to their feeder team to enable him to gain the necessary experience.

The 21-year-old revealed that Warner offered him guidance in the 3-1 win over Portland Timbers II in the MLS Next Pro with the latter scoring and assisting in the game.

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“Before the game, he told me I should move forward. To occupy that space, because they have two (No.) eights marking us. I was playing off him because he was giving me instruction and I knew it was right every time,” said Mayaka.

The midfielder earned a call up to the Harambee Stars squad for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Mali but failed to feature.

Colorado Rapids II left-back Jackson Travis also heaped praise on Warner and went on to laud his partnership with Mayaka at the heart of midfield.

“Collen’s a very good anchor player. He did very well today to be just calm and confident on the ball so it allowed us to take up the wide spaces we wanted to.

We have that confidence in him and (Phillip) Mayaka that they’re going to keep the ball, and we can get into those areas that mess with those players,” said Travis.