Kwadwo Poku a late call-up for Ghana's Tuesday friendly vs. Canada

Word's getting around, I see.

At the end of last week, Kwadwo Poku joined Lloyd Sam, David Accam, and Harrison Afful in Ghana camp to round out a spiffy MLS contingent for Avram Grant's squad. The Black Stars take on Canada on Tuesday evening in Washington, D.C.

The 23-year-old Poku has been one of the breakout stars of Major League Soccer this year, coming on strong in the second half of the year for Jason Kreis's team. New York City FC were undefeated in Poku's first four league games as a starter.

The Kumasi native, who came up in the youth program of legendary local side Asante Kotoko SC, was also the first NYCFC player to score two goals in a competitive game, catching fire in the U.S. Open Cup against the New York Cosmos on June 17th.

Ghana gaffer Grant, who formerly managed Black Stars legend Michael Essien (and New York legend Frank Lampard) at Chelsea, issued a late call-up to Poku after squad regulars Christian Atsu, Andre Ayew, Asomoah Gyan, and Mohammed Rabiu stepped aside due to injury concerns.

Poku, who carries a green card and is married to an American citizen, has openly expressed his desire to play for the United States. An appearance Tuesday in Washington would not cap-tie him to his birth country, as friendlies are not officially sanctioned by FIFA.

If the Americans want to claim Poku as their own, they'll need to roll him out for a World Cup qualifier. CONCACAF resumes World Cup qualifying matches in November.