Bouna Coundoul

Entering his second full season as a member of the Red Bulls, Coundoul comes off a stellar 2010 campaign in which he backstopped the best defensive side in the Eastern Conference. Coundoul’s 2010 season was one of the best in club history, as the Senegalese International set a single-season franchise record with 11 shutouts. Coundoul, one of the most athletic goalkeepers in Major League Soccer, looks to continue his excellent play into 2011 and beyond.

Entrando en su segunda temporada completa como miembro de los Red Bulls, Coundoul viene de una estelar campaña 2010 en la que prestó todo su apoyo a la  mejor defensa de la Conferencia Este. La temporada 2010 Coundoul fue uno de los mejores en la historia del club. El internacional senegalés  estableció un récord en la franquicia en una temporada con 11 blanqueadas. Coundoul, uno de los porteros de mejor condición física de la Major League Soccer, busca continuar con su excelente juego en el futuro, especialmente en el 2011.

Professional:
2010: Started 27 matches and held a record of 14-8-5 with a goals against average of 1.04. Set a single-season franchise record with 11 shutouts. Earned MLS Player of the Week honors for Week 27, when he registered a career high 12 saves in blanking Kansas City on Oct. 2. Picked up two assists at Kansas City on June 26, becoming first goalkeeper in MLS history to have two assists in a league match. Recorded a clean sheet against the Chicago Fire on March 27, making eight saves.

2009:  Made eight appearances for New York, posting a 2-4-2 record with a 1.25 goals against average, a 76.1% save percentage, and two shutouts.  Made his Red Bulls debut in 4-0 loss at Colorado on July 25. Made one save and recorded his first shutout as a Red Bull in 1-0 win over Columbus on Aug. 30.  Stopped a season-high seven shots at San Jose on Oct. 3.  Recorded five saves to earn the clean sheet win in New York’s 5-0 win over Toronto FC in the team’s regular season finale, which was also the final soccer match ever played at Giants Stadium.  Allowed just four goals over his final six appearances.

2008: Coundoul played and started in 17 games. Finished with a 6-8-3 record, with five of those wins coming via shutout. His 70.1 save percentage was in the top 10 in MLS. He logged 1,530 minutes and posted a 1.24 goals against average.

2007: Coundoul missed only 32 minutes of action for the Rapids (third in MLS in minutes played in goal). He finished third in MLS with a goals-against-average of 1.08 and his 120 saves placed him tied for second in the league. Had the third longest shutout streak in the league with 374 minutes (Aug. 4-Sept. 2).  His nine shutouts were the most by a Colorado goalkeeper since 2004. Coundoul recorded a 75.9 saves percentage, which was good for third in the league. He recorded his first career assist on April 7 vs. Chicago.

2006: Made his first appearance in a regular season match for the Rapids on May 13 against Columbus after Joe Cannon went down with an injury. Made his first start and earned his first shutout on May 20 vs. Los Angeles. In his first appearance in a home game, he recorded his second shutout, a 1-0 victory over LA on May 31. Suffered his first loss when starting vs. Chivas USA on June 21.

2005: Coundoul did not see any first team action for the Rapids in 2005 but starred in the nets for the Rapids Reserve side, playing 315 minutes and allowing only two goals for a 0.60 goals-against- average, collecting a 3-0-1 record. In the second half of an exhibition game against the Rochester Raging Rhinos on July 31, he assisted on a Fabrice Noel goal.

International:
Has a total of four caps with the Senegalese National Team. Coundoul received his first call-up for Senegal in 2007, and traveled with the team to Paris for friendlies against Mali and Morroco. He earned his first cap in a 3-2 victory over Mali on November 17, 2007. Started and played the entire 90 minutes against South Africa in the 2008 African Cup of Nations.

Collegiate/Club:
Attended the University at Albany. Was named the 2004 Duquesne Invitational Most Valuable Player. He was on the 2003 America East Conference Second Team and 2003 NSCAA/adidas All-Regional Team. As a sophomore, was the 2002 America East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and named to the America East Conference First Team. Received the 2000 All-New York City Goalkeeper of the Year and All-New York City Player of the Year awards.

Personal:
Was awarded the “U.S. Soccer Foundation Rapids Humanitarian of the Year Award” in 2006, 2007, and 2008. He coined a catch-phrase when he took over as the Rapids’ starting goalkeeper, declaring “It's Bouna Time”, a quote that fans immediately embraced. Came to the U.S. in 1997 and lived in the Bronx with his three older brothers, Amadou, Aly and Abe Coundoul. He lists his favorite hobbies as: praying, cooking, listening to music (especially Senegalese music called Mbalax) and spending time with family and friends.