I remember last year the Metros had a defender who was originally from Liberia (born there) but had American citizenship. He was drafted last year; I definitely forgot his name. He was alright and started the first few games, remember. What also happened to Gabe Valencia during pre-season? Did he not impress? What teams did he play for previously anyhow; nationality? Bye Thanks in Advance!
Nah, he is Ghanaian plus still with the team. This kid was a rookie, born in Liberia, and I think his hometown in the US was in Tennessee. Played D, though.
Mansour Ndiaye was drafted last year along with Davis, Forko, Moore and Krupnick. He's a native of Senegal and never played in a game. They also drafted Nelson Akwari later. He played in a couple of games towards the end of the season but he's an American. Birahim Diop played in a couple of games at the start of last year but was promoted from Metro Black and is from Senegal also.
your either talking about Nelson Akwari, who is on The Crew now because of a draft day trade in which i believe we got Regan in return, or your talking about Birahim Diop, but he was from Brooklyn, not tenessee
As a side note, the worst thing about this pick was that everyone believed Martino was the real deal and no one knew who the hell Ndiaye was.
Anyone that saw Ndayia and then also looked at Martino knew this had to be some type of phony Oz pick as Manny was like 5'8" and about 180 lbs, not exactly ideal for the fast paced MLS games. Not exactly a quick midfielder in college either. Worst pick ever for Metros, maybe tied with Shak over Bocanegra. Was oz really his agent as some had said??
Sam Forko was born in Liberia, grew up in Houston. Played right back, and (IMHO) still has potential to be MLS caliber. His brother plays for South Carolina as a left midfielder, I believe.
Kinda off topic, but on the Toranto Raptors, there's a player named Mamaduo Ndiaye. I thought it was funny that they have a player with the names of two ex-Metros.
Wow that's amazing. From a man who drafted Mathis, the man did not draft anything better again. Steave Shak anyone?
Re: Re: Forgot his name, but... Nope, someone mentioned it, and it was actually Sam Forko. Diop was born in an African country, though, can't remember which one. Anyway, the answer to my question is Sam Forko. Anybody know what happened to him, N'Diaye, and/or Diop by any chance???? Bye Thanks in advance!
Gabe Valencia is playing with Syracuse Salty Dogs in the A-League. Was just named A-League Player of the Week actually. He has 5 goals in 3 games played. Dante Washington leads the A-League with 6 goals in 5 games played.
About 9 years late, but I posted this in another thread about Gabe Valencia... " Stumbled across this thread reminiscing of youth glory on the pitch. This guy was actually a few years ahead of me in high school at Nansemond Suffolk Academy, a private school in Suffolk VA of the TCIS Independent School League. I'd been enticed to attend the school after my 8th grade season at a nearby public school to strengthen a rather poor front line(worst mistake of my freaking life... scrub team all 4 years and the "quality education" I was promised was anything but... if not for ODP & my Club Team, Norfolk FC United, I would have gotten ZERO college exposure...) & stories of Valencia's skill were matches by those of a selfish, high and mighty attitude. His success which led to the year he was afforded at William & Mary, generated in a sub par conference to say the least, had apparently gone to his head, causing him to believe his talent was worth more than it showed on the field. However, all of that was just second hand stories & even at such a young age, I've always formed my opinions, especially with athletes, based on personal experience or observations. He actually came back to work out with the team a couple times & seemed like a good enough guy to me. I was young, new to the team AND school(public kid launched into privileged "private school world" AND at 14 y.o. taking the spots of Seniors who had been in the program since Junior Junior Varsity (JJV), , many of them former teammates of the guy. He had no reason to spend any time with me but as I recall he worked me out on a few drills, gave me some pointers, on both soccer & the culture shock of my new environment. As for his skill, his touch was a little long & wild, in a raw, untamed kind of way... loaded with potential if contained... had really great hips & a lightning fast receiving turn... but most of all, his shot... SCARY! Incredible, low, knuckling instep drive... absolute worm burners!!! I caught one in the thigh shagging down balls beside the poles & it put me down. All this is completely irrelevant now, of course, as this encounter was over 15 years ago... but someone spoke to his character... I met him young, and on familiar grounds he used to dominate, likely the peak of a player's yet-to-be-humbled by upper-level ranks of superior players, sense of "Godliness"... and I didn't really get the impression that quality was overboard by any means. I think he should have stuck with it at W&M to fine tune his game in a setting he could blossom in before moving along. I MAY have heard a rumor somewhere that his leaving wasn't exactly "of his of own decision"... implying their were "issues" during his time there.. but I would NEVER confirm or even acknowledge such an unfounded & possibly reputation-damaging piece of gossip, other than a possible reason that his talent wasn't further cultivated in a solid setting to do so. I fully accept that it was his attention to give a career playing the game we love for a living a shot, as he felt he was ready... I'm happy to see he's found some prosperity in the game. Best of luck to you, Gabe.