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DECORATED COACH SITS DOWN WITH FORMER STAR PLAYER SET FOR MLS BREAKOUT

I visited recently with Chicago Fire’s Bakary Soumare and his former coach Martin (Jake) Jacobson, both of NYC soccer dynasty Martin Luther King high school. Jake was the man who first spotted Soumare playing on a New York field soon after his arrival from France (where he grew up after moving from his birthplace of Mali), setting the course for where we now find the young defensive midfielder: fighting to fill the shoes of retired Chris Armas and weighing national team options.

TIAS: Here we are gentlemen, I thought I’d throw out some questions for the two of you and allow you guys to kind of take it from there. Jake, I know you guys keep in touch, but what is the first thing you remember of Bakary?

MJ: So yeah, I only had Bakary for a year, 2001. He then went to private school, La Salle.

TIAS: It’s interesting to me that that fact isn’t mentioned in any of the many stories written about Bakary. They all note his high school at La Salle, but if I have it right, you barely played soccer for them. It is as if MLK and Jake have been effectively written out of your bio.

BS: Ah, really. I don’t know, a lot of times they just miss it I guess. I played a little bit at La Salle, but most of my youth soccer was with the Red Storm club.

TIAS: And every story seems to have a different version of your immigration, which clearly you don’t like to talk about. I’m not going to force that on you other than to admit I am curious about what you think when you read all of these different takes. (Editor’s note: Steven Goff dishes the rumors.)

BS: Yeah, I never talk about it, and what there is people just kind of twist it, looking for something crazy. I’ll leave it there.

MJ: So, what I first remember about Bakary is laying my eyes on him for the first time. It was up on 103rd near Riverside Park on the west side of Manhattan on the field where I hold my Summer of Soccer camp. He was there; I think you were in ninth grade.

BS: Yeah. I don’t remember very well what the deal was.

TIAS: How long, Bakary, had you been in the city at that point?

BS: I had just got here.

TIAS: How hard or easy was it to find a soccer game?

BS: Someone I met on the plane said that he knew of this field where people played, so I just showed up. It’s easy to find a game. All I would ever have to do if I wanted to play was ask a friend or someone from Africa and they would know.

TIAS: So you go out there and Jake happens to be there, watching.

MJ: Yeah, so I found him playing; like I said I kind of thought of that place as my field, so I usually knew the guys playing there, but that day Bakary was a new guy. And I go Holy Sh+t. I think that was in the spring of 2001 and you played the next fall season at King. You transferred from Liberty which was back then a transitional school for immigrants to the city. You went there for a year or two and then entered a regular public school or whatever.

BS: Yeah, I only went to Liberty for 3 months.

MJ: Right, and who was it, that wonderful counselor? Ms. Bloom?

BS: (smiling) Yeah.

MJ: Ah, see, its all coming back. She was amazing with all the immigrant children; really passionate and helpful. She liked me I think because I was one of the few who wanted to help these kids like she did. Bakary, at that time, playing soccer, knew some King kids, so he and a friend or two came to King, right?

BS: Yes.

MJ: So he came to King and we got him in the ESL (English as Second Language) program.

TIAS: And he only stayed one year?

BS: Just that one semester actually.

MJ: That’s when he had trouble with his immigration status, which had to be straightened out. He left, came back, and then his adoptive parents put him back on track (editor’s note: another subject Bakary would just assume leave alone, but he ensures he loves his adoptive parents). La Salle probably was a better education, but Bakary would have been fine at King. He was always a good student, so I didn’t really worry about him – not like I did with some of my other players. I knew Bakary would be fine wherever. But of course I wish I had my center midfielder for more than that one year. We won those next years anyway, but he was probably my best player for that one year. Ability-wise, attitude-wise. To me, I wish they were all like him.

TIAS: So it’s not surprising to you to see where he is now?

MJ: Yeah. That’s an easy way of putting it, but I think I’m always a little surprised when one of my players gets to that level which so few do. So few greatly talented kids make it through to that level. Bakary is not the only great player to come out of here. You just never know. Bouna [Coundoul] has made it as the keeper in Colorado and got called to the Senegal National Team, but others haven’t been as lucky.

TIAS: In your mind, Jake, what is the percentage of chance Bakary had to make it to MLS in your mind?

MJ: Well, forget King. Look at the pros who have come out of all of New York City. It is not that deep. The first one and really the only one that stays in my mind other than my boys is Shalrie Joseph, who we played against and beat when he was at Wingate. What a story; last second goal; we beat them in the quarterfinals. And it was him; he was the team; he was Wingate. He was that good. He still is.

BS: Oh yeah. He was good. He is good.

MJ: With Bakary too, I must add, I think he is still developing. He has a chance of being a big time pro if he keeps fighting. His size, his strength. What do you think Bakary?

BS: (smiling) I got goals.

TIAS: Want to share a few of those?

BS: I want to go back and play overseas obviously (editors note: Bakary, after leaving Mali, spent time living in the shadow of national soccer stadium near Paris before coming to New York). That’s where I grew up; that’s where the best soccer is at.

TIAS: Would you prefer France?

BS: It doesn’t have to be France, you know. I’ll take England. Why not? (laughing). I just want to go overseas and play in a big league just like guys in Europe who play basketball want to come to the States. You want to go where the best people are.

TIAS: That begs the question of your current contract. Where are you at with that? The time frame?

BS: A lot of years left. My ‘Generation Adidas’ contract goes through 2009, with an option for 2010. Some people for Generation Adidas sign a 2+1 (years of contract), or 2+2, or 3+1. Depending on what they think of you as a player.

TIAS: What was it like as high school ended and so much possibility laid in front of you? You ended up choosing to go to school at Virginia, but what were you thinking about back then?

BS: Like Jake said, there are a lot of people who have talent, and that is important, but when you have someone who gives you a little push, that is all it takes. Some people can’t take the pushing, but once I got that push, I knew I was going to go.

TIAS: And that push coming from…

BS: My adoptive family obviously. It was not just soccer. Just the fact that I was able to focus on my academics and soccer and not worry about anything else. That’s the problem with so many kids. Jake knows this. He is that helper for so many kids, but there is so much more to it; it is difficult. They want to play and they want to try to do well in school, but there are many factors holding them back from doing those things. Maybe you have to work after school or even worry about where you are going to sleep. Once I was adopted, I didn’t have to worry about those things anymore. I got a place to sleep, three meals a day. Things seemed simple.

TIAS: So your life has changed so much. How has your game changed in that time?

BS: Lots of change. You grow as you move up. From 103rd street to King. That’s one step. Playing club soccer is another step. Although playing soccer at King was so much fun, I almost want to say that we were too good. The last few years we have been challenged a but, going to overtime in games, but when I played here there was no such thing; we demolished everybody. As much as it is fun to play for the best team in the city, you are not being challenged. But soccer at the club level was better for me I think because I got to play against the best club teams in the country. We went to places such as the Dallas Cup and Disney. And the fact that more college coaches watched the club tournaments gave you further incentive to do better. I tell people that all the time. From there it was Super Y league, and the Super Y all-star game. Those big tournaments are when you have to shine. You can get a free education right there.

TIAS: So your game has improved as the competition forced it to. What was it like when it came to college’s recruiting you?

BS: I actually had recruiters contacting me heavily in my sophomore and beginning of my junior year, which is when I committed. I went on lots of visits. Those visits were very important for me. I had so many choices I had to narrow it down. I did real well academically, so I wanted to go to a good school that had challenging academics. I had full scholarship offers from Virginia, Duke, Maryland, and Wake Forest. Maryland has very good soccer, but academics are so so. Duke has greeat academics and soccer, but I just… am not a Duke student. Choosing between Virginia and Wake Forest was a tough decision. I chose Virginia because it was bigger and I had more fun on my visits. It worked out well obviously.

Soumare and Jacobson look over the concrete yard outside MLK high school. Jacobson hopes with help that he can turn the desolate expanse into a turf field for practice. At present MLK Soccer doesn’t have a practice field.

TIAS: Keeping the increasing competition idea going, after two years – but one soccer season due to an injury and subsequent red-shirt freshman year – what was it like deciding to leave school? Harder for most I would assume due to your academic leanings.

BS: Yes, yes, yes. It was difficult and easy. It was easy at first, because playing professional soccer has always been my dream. I think if you really want to make it in the big leagues in Europe, you need to leave as young as possible. I mean if you wait until you are 24, it might be too late to go overseas. It takes a few years to develop and that time should be spent at the highest possible level. The difficult part is that while I was at Virginia, I put so so so much work into my academics. I was studying all the time. Even back to La Salle, I had after-school programs, ACT, SAT. I put so much effort into it, and it paid off with me being an honor student in high school and I got into a great academic school. And my new family valued education and helped me so much to get where I was. It was difficult to pick up the phone and say, “I want to leave school.” Because I didn’t want all of that work and their help to go to waste. But as much as I love them, I’m not the kind of person that just does things because someone tells me to. It’s not like I called to ask them, “should I leave school?” I go with what I feel and what I think is best for me. If it doesn’t work out the consequences fall on me. They weren’t very happy at first, you know, but at the end they understood that this kid has a dream and we can’t stop him from doing it. From that point, they have been nothing but supportive. They still come to lots of my games.

MJ: How do you feel about the new coach?

TIAS: You mean lack of coach.

BS: Yeah. Our coach left. It sucks man. I didn’t see that coming. Being in the league you always hear things, you know, but… that guy is just such a great coach, man.

MJ: Yeah, you liked him that much?

BS: Oh yeah. As a coach he is phenomenal. You know at Virginia I would have a professor and you would be like, “Ok, this guy is a genius.” You could tell right away the teacher was really smart. And the first time Osorio came it was like that. His soccer brain, his practices, his meetings, he is genius. Not to say he can’t make mistakes, but he was great.

TIAS: That says a lot. After all, he was only there half a season.

MJ: A couple keys to coaching are tactics, but you have to be able to develop talent and get the most out of your players. I didn’t think Arena had the great knowledge or tactics or the ability to inspire. He got through on luck and talent, which is probably what a lot of people think about Arena, and me for that matter. Osorio is more the opposite. Bad for you Bakary, but good for the Red Bulls I guess. So they haven’t named a new coach yet in Chicago?

BS: Not yet. And personally, you can publish it if you want, I think our assistant coach Denis Hamlett should get a chance. He has been there 10 years. He knows all the players; he has seen it all. I think he deserves a chance. That’s how I feel. They can do whatever they want, but I would love to see him get a chance. That is my first hope for next year, that he is our coach.

MJ: And in terms of your game, this is kind of your year coming up. Armas is retired so that opens the door for you right?

BS: I wasn’t waiting for him to retire. I would wish for him to stay obviously. Part of me not playing is me, you know. I played a lot of games, and then my brother passed away, so I left for a bit.

MJ: I remember that red card you got. I called and yelled at you.

BS: yes, you did.

MJ: I always ask a player, what purpose did it serve? What purpose? That was a dumb foul for someone with as much quality as Baky. My whole thing is put mind into motion before mouth into gear. Or even before body into gear. Think think think. That is something Bakary has always been good at, so I had to call him and remind him. But what he said - his family matters put a dent on last year. And now you have no coach. I’d like to see you traded.

BS: Me? No No.

MJ: You and Bouna right here on the Red Bulls; that’s my dream.

BS: I have absolutely no interest in coming to the Red Bulls. I love my coach. I mean I love Osorio, and if I played here I could save my paycheck and live and eat at home, but its not worth it soccer-wise. Chicago I think is a better organization and I like the city more.

MJ: And defensive midfield?

BS: That’s where I am staying.

TIAS: With Armas retiring, are your chances better in your mind to start?

BS: I think my chances last year were good. Its more about me than filling a hole. There is a hole, but I still have to do good. People think, “OK, Armas is gone, Baky will fill the spot,” but it is not like that at all. Last year I earned it, and unfortunately things happened so I lost it, but hopefully this year, if I work as hard as I did last year, things will be good for me.

TIAS: what has it been like playing with Blanco? Having him around? A popular question no doubt.

BS: It’s fun man. I love him personally. We hang out a lot. Good guy. Good guy. Off the field really good, but on the field I’m surprised. After practice he is like, “Baky, let’s stay and hit some balls.” It’s just great. Before him coming to the Fire, everybody thought of him as the bad boy, but he is really not like that. Ask anybody on my team, they all love him. You know a lot of times players come in from different countries and they stay to themselves or with guys from their ethnicity, but not Blanco. He is not stuck on being Mexican or speaking Spanish. He is nice to everyone.

MJ: what was the trip you just got back from. It was to Real Madrid or something right?

BS: It was with Generation Adidas. Every year they take 15 or so players over to Europe to train and play some of the reserve teams or junior teams. We stayed for 10 days. It was great fun; we went to a La Liga game, to a Champion’s League game. You go with the best young players from every team, so it is awesome. Almost the whole team left afterward to go to the Olympic training camp.

MJ: what is your national team situation. Mali is who you would like to play for? Or the USA? Did you not get called up for any of the US camps?

BS: I just did a few weeks ago. The Olympic team called, but I’m not going. I want to play for Mali man.

TIAS: Can you take us through that decision-making process?

BS: I always wanted to play for the U.S., but my mom always wanted me to play for Mali. Since my mom passed away, it’s a no-brainer.

MJ: What is the federation like in Mali?

BS: At the end of the day, Africa is Africa. It’s all politics; it’s all bull sh+t, but like I always say – I was in the media in Mali a few weeks ago – all that doesn’t really matter. If you are good enough you make it. It’s like Bouna.

MJ: who called you for the Olympics?

BS: I got an email and a phone call from Peter Nowak’s coordinator. I told him first of all, I am not a citizen of the U.S., but I also said that I will never say I won’t play for the U.S. because you never know about Mali, you know?

MJ: You have a green card. Residency isn’t good enough?

BS: it’s good enough for the league, so you don’t count as an international.

TIAS: I’m not sure, but Bakary should know. I imagine they would fast track that process if they really wanted him immediately.

BS: Well, see, the thing about fast-tracking it is that it is very difficult. I thought about that and contacted a MLS lawyer. He told me that that has only happened three times in all athletics, all with track and field athletes where I guess they had very strong arguments.

MJ: Does Mali have an Olympic team?

BS: They didn’t make it. But I would only play for the first team there, not youth teams.

MJ: Are they in the African Nations Cup?

BS: Mali? Yes. We knocked out Togo to get in. When Bouna played for Senegal against Mali, I was supposed to go to that game, but I was in Madrid.

TIAS: There ya go Jake, how about that? Two MLK kids playing against each other on African national teams.

BS: That would have been fun. I just messed up. I didn’t think. I thought we would have another game after that. Or two or three. But that was actually the last friendly before the Cup of Nations starts.

MJ: You have an agent, right?

BS: Yes.

MJ: Now does he work with the Mali Federation on these things?

BS: No, I work directly with them.

MJ: That’s important, right? I mean, you need to make that move to then be more set for a transition to Europe, right? Let’s face it.

BS: It would help a lot, yes. I agree.

TIAS: Just Bakary living in Mali and France helps that a fair amount on the business side in terms of work permits or whatever.

BS: Yeah. It’s more of an England problem. Because they require you to play in 70 percent of your national team games or something. But now, it’s up to the league, MLS, to let me go play there until my contract is done.

MJ: You’ll get there if you want to. Keep working. So far all your decisions have been right. I just look at it as the ups and downs of life - the tragedies you experienced that are just so sad with your brother and mother - and then on the level of just going forward you are doing it. Feels good, no?

BS: Feels good. I’m just working. I’m not done yet.

MJ: Hey, I’m 62 and hope I’m not done yet.

BS: Yeah, but some people are like, “look you went to great schools, you’re in the league now,” but there is a lot of stuff I want to do. I see it and I want it. I haven’t even started yet.

TIAS: Last question, besides hopefully playing for Hamlett come February, what are your goals for the coming season?

BS: I want this to be my breakout year. I want to play. I don’t go into seasons with goals of scoring a certain number of goals or whatever, because I couldn’t care less about that. I just want to have a good run at it with Chicago. That is my goal, to win a championship. Next is to join my national team for World Cup qualifiers.

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in-game photo from mlsnet.com