Mamadou Diallo

Mamadou Diallo (born August 21, 1971 in Dakar) is a Senegalese soccer player, the leading goalscorer in Major League Soccer in 2000.

Related Topics:
August 21 - 1971 - Dakar - Senegal - Soccer - Major League Soccer

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Diallo has played all over the world; before signing with MLS, he played in Morocco, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, and in Norway with Lillestrøm and Valerenga. A prolific scorer wherever he played, he became a regular for the Senegal national football team. MLS signed Diallo in 2000 and allocated him to the Tampa Bay Mutiny.

Related Topics:
Morocco - Switzerland - Germany - Turkey - Lillestrøm - Valerenga - Senegal national football team - Tampa Bay Mutiny

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Diallo exploded on the MLS scene in his first season, combining well with midfield general Carlos Valderrama. Diallo scored 26 goals, the best in the league since Roy Lassiter had 27 in 1996; he was named to the MLS Best XI and was the league Scoring Champion. But what Diallo will be most remembered for is his thuggery; on August 16th in a game against the MetroStars, he purposely stepped on Metro goalie Mike Ammann, breaking his ribs, and effectively ending his career, in the process. Amazingly, he avoided even a yellow card and the league did not fine him for his actions.

Related Topics:
Carlos Valderrama - Best in the league - Roy Lassiter - MLS Best XI - Scoring Champion - August 16 - MetroStars - Mike Ammann - Yellow card

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In 2001, with Valderrama traded in mid-season, Diallo slipped to nine goals, even as he selfishly demanded the ball on every play. He started shooting from everywhere on the field as his contract was restructured so that he was compensated for the number of goals scored.

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The Mutiny was contracted in 2002 and Diallo was selected by the New England Revolution in the 2002 MLS Allocation Draft. He only spent seven games in New England, and was sent over to the MetroStars in a six-player deal on May 24th. The Metro fans hated the sight of Diallo in Metro colors; he pacified them early with a four-goal game against the Los Angeles Galaxy in only his second match with the team. But any love was short-lived, as he reverted to his selfish ways and the Metros missed the playoffs.

Related Topics:
New England Revolution - 2002 MLS Allocation Draft - May 24 - Los Angeles Galaxy

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To the relief of Metro fans, Diallo was sold to Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli on October 7th. His globetrotting ways took him to Swedish club IFK Göteborg soon after.

Related Topics:
Saudi Arabian - Al Ahli - October 7 - Swedish - IFK Göteborg

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