Chicago defender Soumare called up by Mali
Chicago Fire defender Bakary Soumare has been recalled by Mali for a pair of World Cup qualifiers against Ghana and Benin June 7 and 21.
Soumare, who was born in the northwestern Kayes region of Mali, later lived in France and was educated in New York and at the University of Virginia, made his debut for Mali in qualifying in March against Sudan (1-1 tie).
The Mali squad includes such European-based stars as Seydou Keita of Barcelona, Mohamed Sissoko of Juventus and Frederic Kanoute of Sevilla.
Mali Roster:
Goalies: Mahamadou Sidibe (Ethnikos Achnas/CYP), Oumar Sissoko (Metz/FRA), Soumbeyla Diakite (Stade Malien Bamako)
Defenders: Souleymane Diamoutene (Roma/ITA), Adama Tamboura (Helsingborg/SWE), Adama Coulibaly (Auxerre/FRA), Amadou Sidibe (Auxerre/FRA), Bakary Soumare (Chicago Fire/USA), Boubacar Sidiki Kone (Fes/MOR), Cheick Oumar Ballo (ASKO)
Midfielders: Seydou Keita (Barcelona/SPA), Drissa Diakite (Nice/FRA), El Hadji Mahamane Traore (Nice/FRA), Mohamed Sissoko (Juventus/ITA), Sambou Yattabare (Caen/FRA), Lassana Fane (El Merreikh/SUD), Souleymane Dembele (Djoliba AC).
Forwards: Mamadou Samassa (Marseille/FRA), Frederic Oumar Kanoute (Sevilla/SPA), Modibo Maiga (Le Mans/FRA), Moustapha Yattabare (Clermont/FRA), Bakaye Traore (Amiens/FRA), Mamadou Diallo (Le Havre/FRA) Cheick Tidiane Diabate (Ajaccio/FRA), Djimy Boubou Kebe (Reading/ENG)
