Players of Color Part 3: Omar Cummings
Holding The High Line celebrates Black History Month
Hey High Liners. Red again. This is Part 3 of my Colorado Rapids Black History Month Series, looking at noteworthy Players and People of Color to wear the Rapids shirt. Previous installments of the series looked back at the careers of Jean Harbor and Bouna Coundoul.
This week, I’ll take a look at one of the best forwards to ever wear the Burgundy and Blue, Omar Cummings.
Players of Color Part 3: Omar Cummings
Cummings was born in Old Harbour, Jamaica.
As he told me when we spoke to him for our Memories From Toronto series (it’s in production, it’s coming, I promise), he had a youth coach as a teenager who did summer camps in the States every year. That coach had a contact at Cincinnati State, a community college, who was looking for a striker.
Cummings was recommended, prompting a move to the States to continue his education and play soccer. He was named to the first team NJCAA All-American in 2004 and then moved two miles Southeast to the University of Cincinnati, where he majored in criminal justice.
Turning Professional:
Despite UC not being a traditional soccer powerhouse, Cummings’ 13 goals and 16 assists in 38 games for the Bearcats got him on the All-Big East first team twice. The Rapids took a chance on him in the 3rd Round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, 31st overall.
He spent much of his rookie season in the MLS Reserve League with the “Colorado Cobras” (a story for another time). He won the Reserve League that year as the team went unbeaten.
After balling out alongside roommate and new best friend Kosuke Kimura, he made the jump to the first team for good in 2008. Cummings played at least 26 league games every year for the remainder of his time with the club.
Casey Connection and the Cup:
He had a breakout season in 2009, recording 8 goals and 12 assists while playing up top with partner in crime Conor Casey. His 12 assists tied for the most in the regular season that year with Houston Dynamo’s Brad Davis. His 20 G+A was the second most in the league, behind only Jeff Cunningham (17 G, 8 A).
Cummings would go on to be a force for the Rapids. His speed made him dangerous when he found space, beat the offside trap, and got into open space with the ball. Casey would often play down field to draw the attention of the center backs.
If the ball’s played short, Casey knocks it down to Cummings. If it’s played long, Cummings gets into space, cuts towards goal and either shoots himself or sets up Casey to win the ball against a defender or the goalkeeper.
Fans might remember the two combining for 27 goals in 2010, but they also had 9 assists. These Power Bald Buddy Cop Strikers could pass. Their offense led the Rapids to an MLS Cup Championship that year.
Cummings started all four playoff games. While he did not score, his positioning and movement contributed to both goals scored at DSG that playoffs.
Post Rapids:
He left the club after the 2012 season, being traded to Houston for Nathan Sturgis and some GAM. To this day, he ranks highly in several all-time club records: 4th in games played (148), tied for 2nd in goals (39), and 4th in assists (27).
Cummings went on to play two years for Houston, then three years in the USL Championship with San Antonio and FC Cincinnati. He retired in 2019 and is now the Club Ambassador for FCC, focusing on youth and education initiatives.
A youth coach back in Jamaica opened a door for him. So did two college coaches. So did MLS Reserve League. Omar earned opportunities as a immigrant and a Black Man.
Like Jean Harbor and Bouna Coundoul, I shutter to think about what obstacles were or could have been put in his way simply because of the color of his skin and despite of his character and athletic ability.
Photos are courtesy of Getty Images via Harry How, Kirk Irwin, and Doug Pensinger.