FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - At first glance, Bakary Soumare looks like your typical American soccer player with dreams of making it big on the professional level. But behind that big smile of his is the story of a fighter who has taken every piece of adversity and used it to propel himself toward greatness.
Soumare's journey, which has taken him from Mali, a poverty-stricken west African nation, to Saint-Denis, France, to the Upper East Side of New York and finally to the University of Virginia, has been laced with trials and tribulations that have helped to make him the person he is today.
However, despite the adversity he's faced, Soumare has always looked to the role models in his life for guidance and support, using their advice as the stepping stones toward achieving his ultimate goals.
"I have a lot of good role models that have always been there to guide me in my life," said Soumare. "My real father has always been there for me even though I moved to the States. My adoptive parents in New York have also always been very supportive of me because they just want to make sure that I am happy."
Soumare, a 6-4 defender, played just a single minute last year before playing in 21 of 22 games (starting 20) for the NCAA College Cup semifinalist Cavaliers this season. Born in Mali, when he was three years of age his family left the landlocked, impoverished country for France, where they settled in Saint-Denis - site of the stadium where the 1998 World Cup final took place.
About six years ago, Soumare came to the U.S., where he was taken in by a foster family. He holds a green card and is in the process of pursuing U.S. citizenship.
But Soumare says the trip to this weekend's adidas MLS Player Combine is attributed to his best friend, Chefik Simo, a teammate of his at the University of Virginia.
"He kept my spirits up and was really there for my during my first season when I did not play a single minute because I broke my foot," Soumare said. "From the get-go, he always told me that if I wanted to make soccer my career, you have to go after it and make each moment worth it."
Simo, whose soccer career ended after a tragic car accident during his freshman season that left him with long-lasting injuries, became Soumare's biggest role model and the reason for pursuing his professional goals after just a couple of seasons at UVa.
"He is a great friend and we come from the same background," Soumare said. "He is a great role model for me considering all that he has been through. I told him before I cam here that I am doing this for the both of us. I am playing for him out there."
With the MLS SuperDraft a little less than a week away, Soumare is excited and anxious to see how far he will go. He has signed a contract as a member of Generation adidas, which he hopes will increase his worth with the MLS coaches as the week goes on.
"I want to sign with a team where I can help and get some playing time," Soumare said. "I want to be able to have an impact. I am going into the pros to work hard and achieve my goals, not to have fun and take it for granted."
Nicole Dupes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
