Sainey Nyassi joined FC Edmonton after the recommendation from his twin brother, Sanna

FC Edmonton’s 2015 home-opening match against the Carolina RailHawks saw offseason signing Sainey Nyassi take to Clarke Field for the first time as a member of the Eddies. The match featured an inspired performance from the 26-year-old midfielder, who showed plenty of jump during his time on the pitch to earn himself an assist.

Eddies fans may recognize the name Nyassi from last season’s Amway Canadian Championship match against the Montreal Impact, which featured Sainey’s twin brother, Sanna. A strong Eddies performance in that match impressed Sanna to the point of extending a recommendation of the club to his brother, Sainey, during the offseason. Sainey heeded his brother’s advice and arrived in Edmonton as one of head coach Colin Miller’s key offseason signings for 2015.

Sanna and Sainey are linked by not only their identical twin status, but also by their success on the pitch. Both have had notable careers in North American soccer, Sainey enjoyed several seasons with the New England Revolution, DC United as well as a one-year stint in FInland with Rovaniemen Palloseura before making the move to the North American Soccer League (NASL) for the 2015 season. Sanna currently features on Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes.

Their life in soccer began in small-sided games on the streets of Gambia, where both quickly began to succumb to the temptations of sibling rivalry, creating teams and facing off against each other in daily competition

“He had his team, and I would have mine,” Sainey recalled. “We would always try to go against each other. Growing up, it was fun. After awhile we went to the same academy and first division club.”

Sainey was introduced to North America after arriving in Canada to compete in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup for Gambia. After a contest in Montreal, Nyassi’s agent began to receive calls from MLS that would eventually pave the way for both he and his brother to arrive in the States. Nearly a decade later, the two remain close.

“It’s been great, you know,” Sainey said. “We talk every day off the field, I watch his game, and he watches my game. After that we talk about what he needs to work on and what I need to work on. He helps me a lot, and I try to help him. It’s been great growing up together. I think we have that strong bond that’s helped us a lot.”

Despite both brothers' success, there is still one thing left that they would both like to accomplish before retiring.

“One thing we want to do is play on the same team one day,” Sainey concluded. “It hasn’t happened since we turned pro. To be on the same team would be like a dream come true.”

Nyassi and FC Edmonton aim for their first victory of the season, as they take on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, on Sunday, April 19, at 4:00 p.m. ET at Clarke Field.