'The American' Gets Ready to Play for Senegal

Bouna Coundoul, a 25-year-old goalkeeper who has spent the past 11 years playing in the United States, is not American by birth. But his Senegal teammates call him 'the American' anyways.

Coundoul moved to the United States at age 14, played at Martin Luther King High School in Manhattan and the University at Albany, and is now the starter for the Colorado Rapids of the United States' Major League Soccer team.

He is the only M.L.S. player at the tournament and as veteran football reporter Jack Bell's article in today's New York Times says, Ghana 2008 may be “Bouna Time!”, a catch phrase Mr. Coundoul has thrown around often.

Coundoul's fighting Cheikh Tidiane N’Diaye to be the team’s No. 2 keeper behind veteran Tony Sylva of Lille in Ligue 1 in France.

Good luck and may “Bouna Time!” strike and not hurt anyone in the process.