Mensah speaks on Major League Soccer debut

New Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah is happy to have made his Major League Soccer bow, despite the score line not going as anticipated.

The Ghanaian lasted the entire duration as the Black and Gold were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Chicago Fire in the season’s opener on Saturday.

The former Ashanti Gold man joined Crew from Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala as a Designated Player via a Discovery Signing in January.

"[My MLS debut] wasn’t bad," Mensah said, as reported by his club's official website.

"I did what I could do and I hope I improve game after game.

"The result wasn’t what we wanted, but a lot of positive stuff and we will pick it up from there and look to the next game.

"[The atmosphere at MAPFRE Stadium] was good. This is my first time and I really liked it. I hope it’s going to continue like that."

Ethan Finlay gave Crew a 17th minute lead but Ghana international David Accam restored parity in the 73rd minute, turning Mensah inside out after Harrison Afful failed to clear a through ball.

"I didn’t really see what happened before [David] Accam got the ball, but I think it deflected from one of our defenders," Mensah said.

"[Accam] got the ball and he shot really fast and it went in. We need to work on that and improve."

Mensah has also played for Granada in Spain, Udinese in Italy and South African outfit Free State Stars.