Fred Owusu Sekyere is the Richmond Kickers’ diminutive dynamo.

The defensive midfielder draws attention for his small stature — 5-foot-7, 147 pounds — and engaging smile, but mostly for his considerable speed and skill.

Everything he does, he does fast.

He thinks fast, reacts fast and when it comes to flying feet, none are faster than Sekyere’s.

“I’m really quick with the ball on my feet,” he said.

He adds: “It’s hard to take it from me.”

To imagine Sekyere on the pitch, think of The Roadrunner racing circles around a frustrated Wile E. Coyote.

Sekyere, 29, was a nervous teenager when he boarded a jet and flew from his homeland, Ghana in West Africa, to Richmond to attend Virginia Commonwealth University and play soccer.

That was in 2006 after being “discovered” in a tryout camp in Ghana by former Rams Coach Tim O’Sullivan.

After traveling more than 5,000 miles and crossing an ocean, he played four seasons for the Rams and earned a degree in criminal justice. He never really left Central Virginia.

When Sekyere was signed by the Richmond Kickers last January, the team’s coach, Leigh Cowlishaw, said:

“He’s at the prime of his career and ready to make an impact on his hometown team.”

Actually, he hails from Kumasi, Ghana’s largest city, but Richmond has become his adopted hometown. He has no plans of leaving.

Between VCU soccer and joining the Kickers full time, Sekyere coached various youth groups including OwnTouch and Kids in Discovery.

He also played for RVA FC and last year with the Charlotte Eagles, where he amassed more than 2,000 energetic minutes.

During much of the time he was playing at VCU and coaching, he trained unofficially with the Kickers.

Given the chance to suit up for Richmond, the “tiny terror” has become a midfield mainstay.

In helping the locals to a 7-3-8 record in the USL Pro League, he is third on the squad in minutes played with 1,179.

His fancy footwork in the middle of the field is a front and center reason why opponents are averaging a scant 1.09 goals per game.

Even West Bromwich Albion of the English Premier League could manage just a 2-1 squeaker over the Kickers in last Sunday’s City Stadium exhibition before nearly 7,000 fans.

In addition to playing for the Kickers, Sekyere coaches the program’s 10-11 boys youth team.

His pupils refer to him simply as “Coach Fred.”

“I’ve been blessed,” Sekyere, a devout Christian, told the Free Press.

“I’ve been blessed with God-given ability and blessed to have come to Richmond.”

Sekyere is a second generation soccer star. His father, Dickson Owusu Sekyere, known as “Emba,” played for the Kumasi Asante Kotoko Porcupines club team, among the strongest in Africa.

His father represented Ghana in the Africa Cup.

“I never saw my father in action, but I have heard from many others he was a great player,” said Sekyere.

Sekyere is a full head shorter than many of the men he defends and dribbles against. Some may see that as a disadvantage.

Ever the optimist, Sekyere prefers to see his size as a plus.

“I know some opponents look at me and think they can run over me, but I don’t make it easy on them,” he explains cheerfully.

“While they’re thinking, ‘He’s short,’ I’m making my move. Then it’s too late for them.”