Colorado goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul will be Major League Soccer’s lone representative at the African Cup of Nations, which begins later this month in Ghana.
Coundoul was officially named to Senegal’s 23-man roster on Tuesday. This isn’t news to SBI readers, who were informed of Coundoul’s selection back in November.
What is news is that Coundoul has worked his way up to the No. 2 goalkeeper spot and will now serve as the backup to Senegal starter Tony Sylva.
Coundoul enjoyed a breakout season in 2007, his first as a full-time starter for the Rapids. The 25-year-old netminder finished 2007 with nine shutouts and finished second in the league in saves and third in goals against average.
it’s cool that he is repping MLS in a big tournament.
Though his being a goalkeeper kinda reinforces the perception that the US can produce goalkeepers but not much more. Still, good for him and the league especially if Senegal can make some noise.
Zungazan: I 100% agree that MLS should be working much harder in Africa to identify players. There is so much talent there to be had.
Bouna is quality…which probably means Colorado will trade him.
It’s a damn shame we don’t have more African players in MLS. It’s also a damn shame that we won’t get to see any of the ACN games either. 🙁
IT’S BOUNA TIME! I was not sold on him at the start of the season, but he grew on me as the season went on.
re Pickens
“Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens has left the U.S. men’s national team camp to train with Norwich in the Championship division, according a source with the Fire.”
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/soccer_redcard/2008/01/pickens-leaves.html
One of Norwich’s gks left to join L2 side Peterbborough United, so perhaps they have an opening.
http://www.canaries.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetails/0,,10355~1208315,00.html
So how soon before a European team comes shopping for Coundoul? For those who think Coundoul is just “ok” remember this date…
Speaking of keepers you hear that Pickens is trianing in europe? I didn’t think he had enough caps for the permit though
As others said when Ives first announced Condoul’s selection, this is great for MLS. African players are great journeymen in soccer – not only are they found in Euro leagues, but in the Middle East, North Africa, other African countries… and now the US. There are going to be more in the future, for sure, and if strong players know that this won’t limit their chances of national duty all the better for MLS. Remember that there was speculation that Adu was going to seek selection for Ghana… and the Fire’s Bakary Soumaré is also potentially a selection for Mali (though the competition in their midfield is intense, with the likes of Mahamadou Diarra or Real Madrid and Momo Sissoko of Liverpool, and soon Juve). Still, we can dream…