An APB (All Points Bulletin) has been activated in search of Mandjou Keita.
The "current" Keita is easy to find. The one who has scored just one goal in 11 games this season. The one who spends nearly as much time sitting on the ground, arms raised skyward, expecting a foul to be called during a game as he does standing upright.
That's not Keita the Timbers are looking for. That's not the Keita they want.
The Timbers are on the lookout for the "old" Keita. The Keita that led the league with 29 points and was second with 11 goals in 2009. The Keita who was named the USL-1 scoring champion and an all-league first-team selection.
THAT Keita took off and played in India during the off-season and that Keita has yet to return.
"This year, I don’t know," Keita said. "I’ve been unlucky."
Keita has been playing soccer non-stop for the past three years. Portland coach Gavin Wilkinson said he thinks the constant soccer has caused Keita to lose the sharpness he had last season.
"It’s the exhaustion," Wilkinson said. "He has played three years in a row and I just think he's really tired."
The globe-trotting Keita has played in Africa, Malaysia, India and the United States in the past two years.
"That’s not an excuse to say I’m tired or not," Keita said. "I don’t feel tired. I enjoy playing football. That’s the only thing I know how to do."
Keita played the full 90 minutes in the Timbers' 0-0 draw against Vancouver. Wilkinson, who wondered about Keita's motivation when he benched him against Minnesota June 19, said Keita showed more energy against the Whitecaps.
"He looked a lot sharper," Wilkinson said. "For forwards, we always talk about one goal giving confidence."
Keita's lone goal of the season came May 15, nearly two months ago. He has been unlucky with some of his chances - hitting the crossbar, posts and shots sailing just wide - other times he just hasn't displayed the drive he possessed last season.
"Last year, I went seven games without scoring a goal. But this is a long season, we have 15 more games," Keita said. "It’s almost the same thing this year. I still have the same ratio compared to last year. I was unlucky, but I’m still confident I will score goals."
News, notes and links:
PK goal wins it for Real Salt Lake.
expected to sign with Red Bulls next week.
return to full practicing.
to win Cup title...
...
...
...
at World Cup.
in World Cup.