Bakary Soumare
Encyclopedia
Bakary Soumaré is a Mali
an international footballer who plays professionally for US Boulogne
in France's Ligue 2
, as a defender
.
, Mali, Soumaré grew up in Paris
and New York City
.
, before attending the University of Virginia
.
. During the 2008 season
, he was nominated for the MLS Defender of the Year award, alongside Jimmy Conrad
and eventual winner Chad Marshall
. In August 2009, Soumare was fined for being involved in a fight with manager Denis Hamlett
during the half-time interval of their game against Houston Dynamo
.
In August 2009, Soumaré joined French club US Boulogne
on a four-year contract, for a reported fee of €1,500,000.
at international level once he became an American citizen. At the time of that announcement, he believed that he would have his citizenship by sometime in 2009. After that wasn't possible, Soumaré declared himself for Mali, making his debut in 2009.
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
an international footballer who plays professionally for US Boulogne
US Boulogne
Union Sportive de Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d'Opale is a French association football club based in the commune of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The club was founded in 1898 and currently plays in Ligue 2, the second of division of French football, having been relegated from Ligue 1 during the 2009–10 season.The...
in France's Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
, as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Early life
Born in BamakoBamako
Bamako is the capital of Mali and its largest city with a population of 1.8 million . Currently, it is estimated to be the fastest growing city in Africa and sixth fastest in the world...
, Mali, Soumaré grew up in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Youth and College
Soumaré attended the La Salle AcademyLa Salle Academy
La Salle Academy is a private, all boys high school in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is a part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York....
, before attending the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
.
Professional
Soumaré was drafted 2nd overall by the Chicago Fire in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft2007 MLS SuperDraft
The 2007 MLS SuperDraft, was held in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 12, 2007. It was the eighth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection belonged to expansion team Toronto FC.The SuperDraft was followed by the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft....
. During the 2008 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:...
, he was nominated for the MLS Defender of the Year award, alongside Jimmy Conrad
Jimmy Conrad
James "Jimmy" Conrad is a retired American soccer defender who last played for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-High School and College:...
and eventual winner Chad Marshall
Chad Marshall
Chad Marshall is an American soccer player who currently captains the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
. In August 2009, Soumare was fined for being involved in a fight with manager Denis Hamlett
Denis Hamlett
Denis Hamlett is a Costa Rican former professional soccer player. He has also served as an assistant coach and manager in Major League Soccer....
during the half-time interval of their game against Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
.
In August 2009, Soumaré joined French club US Boulogne
US Boulogne
Union Sportive de Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d'Opale is a French association football club based in the commune of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The club was founded in 1898 and currently plays in Ligue 2, the second of division of French football, having been relegated from Ligue 1 during the 2009–10 season.The...
on a four-year contract, for a reported fee of €1,500,000.
International
Soumaré had expressed a desire to represent the United StatesUnited 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...
at international level once he became an American citizen. At the time of that announcement, he believed that he would have his citizenship by sometime in 2009. After that wasn't possible, Soumaré declared himself for Mali, making his debut in 2009.