Going to Agogo

While we enjoy the late stages of the Africa Cup of Nations and watch Ghana attempt to win the championship at home, let's keep this in mind:

Junior Agogo, whose second goal of the tournament gave the undermanned Black Stars a 2-1 victory over Nigeria yesterday, played exactly 57 minutes for the Chicago Fire before being traded to Colorado in early 2000 for a third-round draft pick (which turned out to be Jim Curtin). He seemed to have found a home in Denver, accumulating 11 goals and seven assists in 32 matches, but then was traded to San Jose in the middle of the 2001 season for Chris Carrieri, the former top overall pick who had one very good year and one decent year before leaving the league after four seasons.

Now 28 and with third-tier Nottingham Forest, his 12th club since 1997, Agogo has become a national hero for his timely scoring in Africa's most prestigious event. Meantime, with a club-best 10 goals, he is trying to gain Forest promotion into the Championship division.

In yesterday's other match, Drogba and the Coasters wiped out Guinea, 5-0. Today's games: Egypt-Angola, Tunisia-Cameroon.

Ghana-Nigeria highlights below (watch it now before the video police yank it down):

By Steve Goff | February 4, 2008; 7:54 AM ET
Categories: World
Save & Share: Previous: Gomez, Rapids Closing In on Deal
Next: Island Qualifying Underway

Comments

"Junior Agogo" remains one of the greatest names in professional sports.

Posted by: Matt in Silver Spring | February 4, 2008 8:37 AM | Report abuse

Junior's ripped!

Posted by: Raslund | February 4, 2008 8:44 AM | Report abuse

So what ever happened to Carrieri, anyway?

Posted by: Lost in BA | February 4, 2008 9:06 AM | Report abuse

All Systems a Go-Go/The Januaries. Find it.

Posted by: bdr | February 4, 2008 9:23 AM | Report abuse

Holy cow. Junior's huge!

Posted by: ohboyohboy | February 4, 2008 9:34 AM | Report abuse

Sweet header by Essien. Some lapse defense on the Agogo goal . .

Posted by: d | February 4, 2008 10:03 AM | Report abuse

Incredibly, had he hit the same shot from five yards off the line instead of one, it would have been shanked over the cross bar. Not sure who set up that goal but that's where the credit goes.

Posted by: David | February 4, 2008 10:04 AM | Report abuse

Junior is cut!

Posted by: Josh | February 4, 2008 11:16 AM | Report abuse

If Junior had played for DCU, would the Barra have sung "Take Me Out to Agogo"? :)

Posted by: SportzNut21 | February 4, 2008 12:21 PM | Report abuse

When he was with Colorado, I saw Junior play against the Earthquakes and he was absolutely dominant. He looked like he could score every time that he got the ball. I know he was inconsistent in MLS, and maybe that was because of stuff that happened off the field. But he's an awesome talent and it's great to see him have some success.

Agogo to the Quakes!

Posted by: Metzeng | February 4, 2008 12:39 PM | Report abuse

Just finished the minute by minute coverage of the Egypt/Angola match (don't you just love the BBC) and it looks like Egypt is in the semi-finals unless the man upstairs grants a quick miracle to Angola (my fingers are crossed).

Is it just me or is this years ACN as good as the last World Cup...I have come close to having several small heart attacks.

I still expect to see the Cote d'Ivoire in the final (no if, ands or buts about it).

Posted by: ALLEZ DROGBA | February 4, 2008 1:58 PM | Report abuse

Wow. Talk about two different paths. Agogo is in England and becoming a folk hero with his national team in one of the most exciting tournaments around.

Carrieri is in Carolina playing for the USL1 Railhawks after finishing out his contract with the USL2 Richmond Kickers.

That's not a dis of Carrieri, I'm just saying that life and players' careers take a lot of twists and turns...

Network News

Going to Agogo