Kenny Cooper

Kenny Cooper (born October 21, 1984 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American soccer striker, who currently plays for FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. Contents [edit] Youth career Cooper's father, Kenny Cooper Sr., played professional soccer as a goalkeeper in England before moving to the United States to play for the Dallas Tornado of the North American Soccer League. Under the mentorship of his father, Cooper became an outstanding youth player.[1] After retiring from coaching professional soccer, Cooper's father had settled the family in Dallas, Texas where Cooper attended high school at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. He was the Dallas area high school player of the year while playing, graduating in 2003. While playing with the Dallas Solar 85 Soccer Club in the Dallas Cup, a major international youth tournament, Cooper caught the attention of several former NASL players who contacted Jimmy Ryan , Director of Youth Football at Manchester United . Ryan had also once played with Cooper's father when they were both with the Tornado. Ryan contacted the Cooper's and invited him to England for a trial. The fact that Cooper's father was a native of England helped grease the skids for Cooper as United did not need to acquire a work permit for him. Following a successful week long trial, United signed him on a free transfer. At the time Cooper had intended to attend Southern Methodist University, but decided to forgo college to pursue his professional career.[2] [edit] Manchester United reserves During his time with Manchester United, Cooper was unable to break into the first team, spending his time with the reserve squad. As a result, the team loaned him to Académica Coimbra of Portugal at the beginning of the 2004-2005 season. However, the loan was terminated after half a season due to Cooper seeing very limited playing time. After a brief return to Manchester, the team loaned him again, this time to Oldham Athletic .[3] When it became obvious that Cooper had little chance of becoming a starter with Manchester United, the team released Cooper midway through the 2005-06 season to allow him to pursue other opportunities. He saw time in one game with Sunderland before returning to the U.S. [edit] FC Dallas When Cooper returned to the U.S., he signed with FC Dallas. He scored 11 goals in his first season. His second season started out strongly, scoring a quick four goals, but in a game against the LA Galaxy a strong tackle from Tyrone Marshall broke his leg and put him out for a majority of the season. This ended his hopes of playing in the 2007 Copa America for the United States. On July 27, 2008, Cooper was linked with a possible move to Cardiff City after the club made a £2,000,000 bid.[4] Norway 's Rosenborg bid more than that, and offered a salary of $1.2 million.[5] FC Dallas ultimately rejected both bids and decided to keep Cooper through the end of the season. [edit] International career Cooper got his first cap and first goal for the U.S. national team on January 20, 2007 against Denmark where he scored a goal after coming on near the end of the game. He then played in the Guatemala game, which was played in his MLS clubs' home stadium, Pizza Hut Park, as a second half sub. He was widely considered to be a certain member of the United States Copa America squad until he was sidelined with a broken right tibia.[1]