"Big Cat" Tony Sanneh's Triumphant Return to Major League Soccer

After the 2002 World Cup, "Big Cat" Tony Sanneh was an American soccer hero, who earned a good wage playing in Germany for Nürnberg. However, upon returning to Major League Soccer, he failed to give a hero's performance and did not earn a hero's welcome.

Sanneh returned to the MLS after leaving D.C. United in 1998 and began playing for the Columbus Crew in 2004, right in the thick of World Cup quailification for the U.S. Men's National Team. However with a number of nagging injuries, the American star only saw action in eight Crew games and three U.S. matches. Despite a lack of playing time, Sanneh scored two goals for Columbus and one for the U.S.

Three goals in nine matches is an especially unique stat for a defender, and it is largely because of his unique combination of size, ball control, and passing ability, that Sanneh could find this success while playing a number of positions such as center back, wing back, and out wide in the midfield. Despite his injury problems, his unique versatility and skills led him to a new team, the Chicago Fire.

Dave Sarachan slid Tony Sanneh into the heart of the Fire's defense. He spent much of his time as a central defender, especially in 2006 when Jim Curtin went out with an injury. Despite some problems with his back, Sanneh battled to keep himself fit, and by the end of the 2006 season he was an essential part of the Fire's back three.

At the end of the 2006 campaign when his contract with Chicago was up, Sanneh and the Fire were unable to reach a decision about how much his veteran leadership and defensive skills were worth, and Sanneh was waived from the team.

Despite no longer being with the team, the Fire still held Sanneh's rights to play in the MLS, but with a new manager in Chicago and with the Rapids faltering on the road to play-offs, Sanneh will get a fresh start in Major League Soccer.

Juan Carlos Osorio, the Fire's manager, just signed his own veteran defender, William Conde, and traded Sanneh to Colorado in exchange for a fourth round draft pick in 2009. Almost immediately after the trade, the Rapids put their new acquisition to work.

After Dan Gargan went down with an injury in the 23rd minute, Sanneh entered last Thursday's match against the New England after being officially signed just the day before. Sanneh's work on defense contributed to the Rapids preventing any goals from the Revolution, whose scoring stars Pat Noonan and Taylor Twellman could find no luck against a well seasoned Colorado side.

Sanneh's many critics will certainly jump at the opportunity to point out his age and history of injuries, but under the direction of Fernando Clavijo he ought to do well. Clavijo's Rapids look very much like a U.S. National Team of yester-year with Sanneh as the latest addition.

Sanneh rejoins Jovan Kirovski, Conor Casey, and Pablo Mastroeni in Colorado. With these veterans on the field, Clavijo's Rapids ought to be able to finish out the season and earn a play-off spot. These surroundings ought to bring out the best of "Big Cat" Tony Sanneh and show that his 36 year old frame can still halt any incoming attack.

If his first appearance for Colorado is any indication, a 3-0 win over the Revolution, then the Rapids should be sure shots for the play-offs, and Sanneh will likely be a regular starter. Rapids fans will certainly be excited to see Sanneh face-off against David Beckham and Landon Donovan when the L.A. Galaxy roll into town on Sunday.