Memories From Toronto: Omar Cummings

PODCAST – Hello Colorado Rapids fans. Here is the third episode of Memories From Toronto. This week, Red speaks to striker Omar Cummings. We discuss how he the born and raised Jamaican ended up at the University of Cincinnati and the Colorado Rapids Reserves (Colorado Cobras).

We learn about his relationships with Kosuke Kimura and Conor Casey. He’s got thoughts on why he and Casey worked so well as a forward tandem and what made Gary Smith’s style perfectly for that team. Get ready to go inside the grumpy mind of Casey, courtesy of the one person who could read his thoughts.

The Reggae Boy shares his perspective on that fishing boat Kosuke bought. We discuss big regular season wins and how he and Mac Kandji got along and weren’t really competing with each other(?).

Then we discuss that playoff run. What was that series with Columbus Crew like? Why didn’t he take a penalty at the end of that second leg? Was he really penalty shy? How was it playing San Jose in the Conference Final? And once and for all, we find out who should have gotten credit for the only goal in that game that saw Kimura cross the ball into the box and Cummings make a run to the ball.

Then we discuss the final against FC Dallas. What was that game like? What plays stand out for him? Wait, he was playing that final with an ankle injury?! How did he feel watching the team get the win with him on the bench and Mac getting hurt?

The we discuss the fallout over the next two years that saw him leave the club. What did he make of the Aston Villa rumor and did a move almost happen? Oh, and we discuss what he’s doing now with FC Cincinnati.

Listen More: Memories From Toronto: Kosuke Kimura

About the hosts:

Matt Pollard is the Managing Editor of Burgundy Wave, having overseen the site’s move to being independent in April 2023. He moved to Denver in 2015 and has covered the Rapids since 2016. An engineer and environmentalist by day, when he’s not watching or writing about soccer, he’s hiking or skiing in the mountains. He also writes for Last Word on Soccer, covering MLS and the USMNT.

Mark Goodman, known as Rapids Rabbi or Soccer Rabbi, lived in Colorado from 2011-2018. He became an MLS Sicko after seeing Lee Nguyen of the New England Revolution pull off some silky moves at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. He’s a professional rabbi during the day and the author of the well regarded Backpass series, which started at Burgundy Wave. He watches the Pids from a far, having moved to Pittsburgh. Finds his Rapids writing on Substack. He also covers the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Championship for Pittsburgh Soccer Now.

Photo Credit: Colorado Rapids via Bart Young

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.