The Houston Dynamo have acquired forward Macoumba Kandji from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for a conditional draft pick, it was announced today.
Kandji, 26, returning from a knee injury midway through the 2011 season, played in nine regular season and three MLS Cup playoff games for Colorado. The Senegal native has dealt with injuries in recent years, including a torn ACL in his left knee and a broken metatarsal in 2010. Kandji is entering his fifth season in the league after joining the New York Red Bulls on loan from the Atlanta Silverbacks in 2008.
“I’ve always liked Macoumba as a player,” said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. “His athleticism and good play to goal will be a good fit for our team.”
Kandji has appeared in 57 regular season games in his career, making 35 starts. He set career highs in goals (4), assists (5), games played (23) and games started (20) with New York in 2008. He has appeared in eight MLS Cup playoff games in four seasons.
Before joining New York, Kandji appeared in 21 matches with the Atlanta Silverbacks of the USL First Division, tallying 11 goals and five assists. Kandji played two seasons at Georgia Military College, scoring 17 goals with six assists in 2005.
Houston will train tomorrow on the practice fields at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. before taking on LA Galaxy on Friday at 12:30 p.m. CT.
The Dynamo will play their first seven games of the season on the road before opening BBVA Compass Stadium on May 12 against D.C. United. While single game tickets to Dynamo home games are not yet available, fans can purchase tickets to all games via Dynamo full and partial season ticket plans. Ticket packages can be purchased by calling (713) 276-GOAL or by visiting HoustonDynamo.com.
