Players of Color Part 2: Bouna Coundoul
Holding The High Line celebrates Black History Month
Hey High Liners. Red again. This is Part 2 of my Colorado Rapids Black History Month Series, looking at noteworthy Players and People of Color to wear the Rapids shirt. If you missed Part 1 on Jean Harbor, click here.
This week, I’ll be taking a look at goalkeeping cult hero Bouna Coundoul.
Players of Color Part 2: Bouna Coundoul
Coundoul was born in Dakar, Senegal. His family emigrated to the Bronx, NY when he was a child. As a high school player, he won the 2000 All-New York City Goalkeeper of the Year. His play earned him a college scholarship to SUNY Albany, where he won the America East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year in 2002.
Undrafted, he earned a contract with the Rapids in 2005 to play in the first iteration of the MLS Reserve League. He allowed just two goals and was undefeated in four appearances.
Coundoul made his MLS first team debut in May of 2006 after Joe Canon (*pause to acknowledge Canon’s underrated status in Rapids goalkeeping history*). He would play in 5 league games that season.
It’s Bouna Time!
In 2007, Coundoul took over as the starter, playing in all 30 regular season games. It was that year that hey came up with his trademark catchphrase “It's Bouna Time!” that caught on quickly with Rapids fans. Twitter was founded that year but unfortunately wasn’t that platform it is today in World Football, so #BounaTime didn’t become a thing that year.
He started the first ever game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2007, a 2-1 win over D.C. United. Coundoul became well recognized for wearing traditional Senegalese on matchday. I’ve heard of several instances throughout the years of him attracting People of Color, especially Africans, in Colorado to becoming Rapids fans.
He was also a staple in the community, winning the Rapids Humanitarian of the Year award three times, from 2006-08.
He also made the Senegalese National Team for the African Cup of Nations after the 2007 MLS season with Rapids. He received his first cap with the Lions of Teranga in that tournament.
Post Rapids Career:
New York Red Bulls traded allocation money for Coundoul’s rights in 2009, with Matt Pickens joining the club and starting most of the season. He would play three years at RBNY, being the regular starter in 2010, as the Red Bulls nearly made the Eastern Conference Finals.
Coundoul left MLS in 2012 and went on to play in Finland, Cyprus, and South Africa before retiring in 2016. He is currently the goalkeeper coach for the women’s soccer team Monroe College back home in the Bronx.
He was a fan favorite among Rapids fans. He was authentically himself. Bouna Time was one of the first Rapids memes. He was a hardworking player who fought for the shirt and added to the legacy of Rapids goalkeepers.
Like Harbor, he earned opportunities to better himself and his family through soccer despite his country of origin and the color of his skin.
Also, this t-shirt exists and is for sale.
Photos are courtesy of Getty Images via Victor Decolongon and Dave Winter / Icon Sport.