October 15, 2007
It's Truly Bouna Time!
The Colorado Rapids have always had some gifted keepers: Marcus Hahnemann, Joe Cannon, Adin Brown, and Scott Garlick - and now we can add one more to that list.
Bouna celebrated in style yesterday with a convincing performance between the pipes in a daring win against Chivas USA. The Senegalese star again proved his worth and displayed the stunning reaction skills which have garnered so much praise from the Rapids faithful this year.
A Relative unknown to MLS soccer at the beginning of the season, Bouna was thrust into the spotlight when coach Fernando Clavijo shipped off stalwart netminder Joe Cannon and put his faith into the 25-year old from Senegal. Bouna grabbed the brass ring and never looked back, starting every MLS regular season game this year, with just a minor injury absence.
Bouna racked up the MLS rankings, becoming a top-four keeper in Minutes Played, Saves, Goals Against Average, and Shutouts.
His importance to the team is highlighted by this simple fact: in 2007, the Rapids only won twice without Bouna shutting out the other team.
A fan favorite for his crowd appreciation, his adventurous walkabouts, and his incredibly athletic saves, Bouna Time! has been a major addition to the Rapids gametime experience for fans, and a primary contributor to the Rapids last-minute chance to make the playoffs in 2007.
2007 Class VI Player of the Year:
Bouna Coundoul
Class VI will present Bouna the 2007 Class VI Player of the Year trophy in Section 108 following the last home game this Saturday where he will also be selling his Bouna Time jerseys for charity - proceeds which go to a fantastic cause helping needy kids in Bouna's home country.
Truly, Bouna has proven himself a class act on and off the field. Kudos!