Commerce City, Colo.
- Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul has been called up to the Senegal National Team for the first time in anticipation of two friendly matches later this month in Paris, France.
Coundoul will travel to Paris and train with the Lions of Teranga before taking on Mail on Nov. 17 and Morocco on Nov. 21.
"I'm excited. I've been watching the national team for a long time. I remember seeing those guys and saying to myself that 'one day I want to play with these guys.' Right now is the moment for it and I'm real excited to go there and do my 'Bouna Time' stuff," said Coundoul.
This season Coundoul missed only 32 minutes of action for the Rapids. He finished third in Major League Soccer with a goals against average of 1.08. His 120 saves placed him tied for second in the league and his nine shutouts were the most by a Colorado 'keeper since 2004.
Senegal may be best known for its 1-0 upset of France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup. That team made it to the quarterfinals where they lost to Turkey in extra time. The Lions of Teranga are currently ranked no. 34 in the FIFA Rankings and are the fifth highest ranked African team.
In the 2008 African Cup of nations, Senegal is in Group D with 2006 World Cup participants Tunisia and Angola and 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa. The tournament runs from Jan. 20 through Feb. 10.
