Macoumba Kandji
Encyclopedia
Macoumba Kandji is a Senegal
ese footballer who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids
in Major League Soccer
.
, and came to the United States in 2003. He attended East Mecklenburg High School
in Charlotte, North Carolina
, where he was voted MVP in 2003 as the Men’s All-State Team forward, and played college soccer
at Georgia Military College
, where he was selected in the All-Region team in 2004 and 2005, scoring 17 goals and providing 6 assists during the 2005 season.
During 2006, Kandji also impressed while playing for the Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
in the USL Premier Development League
, scoring 1 goal and 1 assist in 8 games.
team in 2007. He made his first team debut August 4, 2007 against Charleston Battery
. From then on, he began to establish himself as one of the top players of the USL. During the 2008 season Kandji appeared in 21 league matches for Atlanta, registering 11 goals and 5 assists. He was named to the USL-1 Weekly Best 11 on six occasions, despite playing just one game in the final six weeks of the season due to an ankle injury.
Kandji finished the 2008 season ranked third in points (27 points, 21 games), though he missed nearly a third of the season due to injury, travel restrictions, and a loan to New York Red Bulls. During his time with the Silverbacks, Kandji was the main feature of an ESPN Soccernet article highlighting some of the USL's tops stars.
On September 15, 2008, Kandji signed with New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer
on loan through the end of the 2008 MLS season
. This initial loan deal involved Red Bulls paying Atlanta Silverbacks
a fee of $25,000. If the loan was a success, then another fee of $150,000 would be paid for Kandji, making the total amount paid $175,000. He made his MLS debut against Colorado Rapids
on September 27, 2008, where he recorded an assist.
In November, 2008, the Silverbacks announced that, due to financial reasons, they would be 'sitting out' the 2009 season. This development would have made Kandji a free agent, allowing New York to pick him up on a free transfer instead of the $175,000 previously agreed. However, Silverbacks owner Boris Jerkunica
transferred his rights to Carolina Railhawks, a team he has a small stake in.
New York purchased his rights and signed him on a one-year deal on January 14, 2009. Kandji quickly established himself as a key performer for New York. His performance on 5/8/09 in a 4-1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes
, in which Kandji scored one goal and had two assists,led to him being named MLS player of the week. In his first full season with New York, Kandji appeared in 23 league matches scoring 4 goals and assisting on 5 others.
On July 25, 2010 Kandji scored a goal and assisted Dane Richards
on another in a 2-1 pre-season victory over Manchester City. According to The Sun, Kandji's play in pre-season friendly matches against both Manchester City and Tottenham led to interest from fellow Premier League sides Bolton and Blackpool. It was also rumored that Greece's Skoda Xanthi
was interested in signing Kandji.
On 14 September 2010, Kandji was traded to Colorado Rapids
for Mehdi Ballouchy
.
Kandji played an integral role in scoring the winning goal for Colorado Rapids during the 2010 MLS Cup final. His shot on goal was deflected off a defender, and though classified as an own-goal, it was his shot that resulted in the scoring opportunity. Kandji was also injured on this play; he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He underwent surgery to fix the torn ligament at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City with Doctor Riley Williams (head team physician for Kandji's former team, the New York Red Bulls).
and The Gambia
have offered Kandji an opportunity to play, but Kandji has so far turned them down in hopes of one day playing for the United States
. Though more recently, he has announced his decision to give up his desire to play for the US, citing the delay of naturalization papers as a reason and not wanting to wait years more only to make his debut at age 31 but get started right away in time for African Nations Cup qualifiers, and is set to decide on his international future.
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
ese footballer who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Early Life and College
Kandji was born in Senegal, raised in The GambiaThe Gambia
The Republic of The Gambia, commonly referred to as The Gambia, or Gambia , is a country in West Africa. Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the west....
, and came to the United States in 2003. He attended East Mecklenburg High School
East Mecklenburg High School
East Mecklenburg High School is a public secondary school in Charlotte, North Carolina and one of 19 high schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system. The principal of the school is Rick Parker. East Mecklenburg High School is partial magnet school in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools...
in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, where he was voted MVP in 2003 as the Men’s All-State Team forward, and played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at Georgia Military College
Georgia Military College
Georgia Military College is a United States Military Junior College, high school, and middle school in Milledgeville, Georgia. GMC is one of five military junior colleges that participates in the Army's Early Commissioning Program. Cadets who graduate from GMC's two-year, military science-oriented...
, where he was selected in the All-Region team in 2004 and 2005, scoring 17 goals and providing 6 assists during the 2005 season.
During 2006, Kandji also impressed while playing for the Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
Atlanta Blackhawks was an American soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 2009, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, scoring 1 goal and 1 assist in 8 games.
Professional
Kandji joined the senior Atlanta SilverbacksAtlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...
team in 2007. He made his first team debut August 4, 2007 against Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
. From then on, he began to establish himself as one of the top players of the USL. During the 2008 season Kandji appeared in 21 league matches for Atlanta, registering 11 goals and 5 assists. He was named to the USL-1 Weekly Best 11 on six occasions, despite playing just one game in the final six weeks of the season due to an ankle injury.
Kandji finished the 2008 season ranked third in points (27 points, 21 games), though he missed nearly a third of the season due to injury, travel restrictions, and a loan to New York Red Bulls. During his time with the Silverbacks, Kandji was the main feature of an ESPN Soccernet article highlighting some of the USL's tops stars.
On September 15, 2008, Kandji signed with New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
on loan through the end of the 2008 MLS season
2008 Major League Soccer season
The 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:...
. This initial loan deal involved Red Bulls paying Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...
a fee of $25,000. If the loan was a success, then another fee of $150,000 would be paid for Kandji, making the total amount paid $175,000. He made his MLS debut against Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
on September 27, 2008, where he recorded an assist.
In November, 2008, the Silverbacks announced that, due to financial reasons, they would be 'sitting out' the 2009 season. This development would have made Kandji a free agent, allowing New York to pick him up on a free transfer instead of the $175,000 previously agreed. However, Silverbacks owner Boris Jerkunica
Boris Jerkunica
Boris M. Jerkunica is a native of Croatia who lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and young daughter. He has founded or co-founded several companies including Software Builders International, NetZIP and ZivVa/Vocalocity...
transferred his rights to Carolina Railhawks, a team he has a small stake in.
New York purchased his rights and signed him on a one-year deal on January 14, 2009. Kandji quickly established himself as a key performer for New York. His performance on 5/8/09 in a 4-1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
, in which Kandji scored one goal and had two assists,led to him being named MLS player of the week. In his first full season with New York, Kandji appeared in 23 league matches scoring 4 goals and assisting on 5 others.
On July 25, 2010 Kandji scored a goal and assisted Dane Richards
Dane Richards
Dane Richards is a Jamaican footballer who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
on another in a 2-1 pre-season victory over Manchester City. According to The Sun, Kandji's play in pre-season friendly matches against both Manchester City and Tottenham led to interest from fellow Premier League sides Bolton and Blackpool. It was also rumored that Greece's Skoda Xanthi
Skoda Xanthi
Skoda Xanthi F.C. , or F.C. Skoda Xanthi Athletic Club, is a Greek football club, based in the city of Xanthi. The club currently competes in the Super League Greece.-History:...
was interested in signing Kandji.
On 14 September 2010, Kandji was traded to Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
for Mehdi Ballouchy
Mehdi Ballouchy
Mehdi Ballouchy is a Moroccan footballer. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
.
Kandji played an integral role in scoring the winning goal for Colorado Rapids during the 2010 MLS Cup final. His shot on goal was deflected off a defender, and though classified as an own-goal, it was his shot that resulted in the scoring opportunity. Kandji was also injured on this play; he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He underwent surgery to fix the torn ligament at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City with Doctor Riley Williams (head team physician for Kandji's former team, the New York Red Bulls).
International
Kandji has not yet appeared for any national team. Both SenegalSenegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
and The Gambia
Gambia national football team
The Gambia national football team, nicknamed The Scorpions, is the national team of Gambia and is controlled by the Gambia Football Association. Until 1965, the team, and the country, were known as British Gambia...
have offered Kandji an opportunity to play, but Kandji has so far turned them down in hopes of one day playing for the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. Though more recently, he has announced his decision to give up his desire to play for the US, citing the delay of naturalization papers as a reason and not wanting to wait years more only to make his debut at age 31 but get started right away in time for African Nations Cup qualifiers, and is set to decide on his international future.
New York Red Bulls
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Western Conference Championship (1): 20082008 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:...
Colorado Rapids
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Eastern Conference Championship (1): 20102010 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2010 Major League Soccer season was the 98th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 32nd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 15th in MLS history. It began on March 25 at Seattle's Qwest Field with Seattle Sounders FC defeating the expansion... - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
MLS Cup (1): 20102010 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2010 Major League Soccer season was the 98th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 32nd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 15th in MLS history. It began on March 25 at Seattle's Qwest Field with Seattle Sounders FC defeating the expansion...
Individual
- 2007 USL Division 1 Player of the Week (Week 17)
- 2007 USL Division 1 Goal of the Week (Week 17 - view here)
- 2008 USL Division 1 Player of the Week (Weeks 10, 16)
- 2008 USL Division 1 Team of the Week (Weeks 7, 10, 12, 16, 17, 22)
- 2008 USL Division 1 Goal of the Week (Week 16 - view here)
- 2009 MLS Player of the Week (Week 8)
Career statistics
- (correct as of 28 November 2010)
Club Season League Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Play-Offs CONCACAF CONCACAFThe Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football is the continental governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean...Total Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Atlanta Silverbacks Atlanta SilverbacksAtlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...2007 7 2 0 5 0 0 12 2 0 Atlanta Silverbacks Atlanta SilverbacksAtlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...2008 21 11 5 2 1 0 23 12 5 New York Red Bulls 2008 5 1 2 2 0 0 7 1 2 New York Red Bulls 2009 23 4 5 1 0 0 24 4 5 New York Red Bulls 2010 13 1 0 13 1 0 Colorado Rapids Colorado RapidsThe Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...2010 3 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 3 Total 2007–present 72 19 15 3 1 0 8 0 0 83 20 15