EDDIE POPE

(real.saltlake.mlsnet.com)

In this age of Rae Carruth, Kobe Bryant and most of the Portland Trailblazers, it's really too bad that no one really knows this brother who represented the United States at the 1998 & 2002 World Cups. Instead of talking about being a role model, he just is one. After six productive years at DC United, & a couple in Jersey, Eddie Pope brings his professionalism and excellence to Real Salt Lake.

A former Tar Heel, Eddie Pope literally splashed his way into American Soccer consciousness in MLS Cup 96, scoring an OT game winning goal in the middle of a ridiculous storm to give DC United its first of 3 MLS Cups. His Golden goal was followed by a running head first slide into a puddle with a huge smile on his face. That is about as much emotion as you well see from the cool, calm and collected MLS Defender of the Year in 1997. No matter what he's doing, he never seems to be rattled. No matter if it was doing something no one else could do in 1996, shutting down Roy Lassiter, whether the ball is at his feet with goal hungry forwards attempting to strip him, scoring timely goals as he did against Vasco de Gama to give DC United the Inter-American Cup in 1998 or dealing with the toughest defensive assignments night in and night out, his demeanor remains one of quiet confidence combined with the skill to get it done.

A member of 1996 Olympic team, he became the first choice central defender by the end of the season and his play got him call ups to National Team where he remains a constant. He also completed his degree at UNC, demonstrating his commitment to education by having it written into his contract that DC United was to allow him to fly back and forth between DC and Chapel Hill for classes.

The only thing that seems to slow Pope down is injuries and he's had a few over the past few seasons including his first in Salt Lake. But when he's in form, he continues to perform with elegance, intelligence and plain ol' hard work. He is a professional in every sense of the word. He is also committed to bringing the game to the inner city and plans to started the Eddie Pope Foundation to accomplish that very goal, quite possibly one of the reasons why he has turned down contracts to play in Holland and Germany.

There is a line in De La Soul's song "Bizness" from the Stakes is High CD that goes, "You cry keepin it real/but you should try keeping it right." Eddie Pope keeps it right, for city, country and community.

A member of GolNoir's Alltime MLS Best Black 11 as well as MLS' All Time Best XI.

GolNoir's interview with Eddie Pope

PHOTOS

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Eddie fights LA's Ednaldo for the ball
(Utah Chronicle)

Eddie dispossesing Youri Djorkaeff of Red Bull New York

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