From the foot of the Rockies in Colorado to the plains of Texas is where Macoumba Kandji is headed after the Rapids traded away the lanky forward to the Dynamo in exchange for a conditional draft pick on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old is most remembered for his heroics in at MLS Cup 2010, when his efforts led to an FC Dallas own-goal in overtime that won Colorado the championship and resulted in Kandji tearing his ACL.
“Everyone at the Rapids will always remember Mac’s role in helping the club win the 2010 MLS Cup,” Rapids technical director Paul Bravo said in a club statement. “We all want to thank him for what he gave Colorado, and wish him the best going forward.”
The five-year MLS veteran returned from his knee injury midway through the 2011 campaign, scoring once in nine regular-season matches. He also participated in three MLS Cup Playoffs games for the Rapids.
“I’ve always liked Macoumba as a player,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said in a club statement. “His athleticism and good play to goal will be a good fit for our team.”
Kandji, who played with New York before going to Colorado, has 57 matches (35 starts) and six goals to his name in MLS. He’ll be expected to compete with Will Bruin, Cam Weaver, Calen Carr and rookie Colin Rolfe for playing time in Houston. The recent news that Honduran international Carlo Costly will not be wearing Dynamo orange in 2012 should make that task a little easier.
