A big congratulations to Mamadou “Futty” Danso, who departed Monday for Banjul, The Gambia. The Gambian defender is headed to his birthplace, in what could be considered the greatest honor for a footballer, playing for your home nation.

Futty will miss Thursday’s final regular season home match. This is his first time training with the senior national team, and hopefully he gets minutes this Saturday, in a qualifier for the 2012 Africa Cup of nations. He will return to Portland this Sunday.

Futty number 98, has become a defender the Timbers can count on. In regular season play this year he scored the game winning goal against Vancouver, and had a great free kick assist in Ryan Pore’s goal against Baltimore on Sunday. He will be missed this Thursday, but as the season hits the final leg, Futty will be a crucial part.

* Above picture courtesy of Allison Andrews of the Timber Mill

Futty’s Game winning goal over Wankcouver (minute 2:05)

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1. 2009 USL Playoff Dates
2. A Day Full of Soccer
3. Futty talks second half of the season
4. Timbers Abroad – Mandjou Keita Scores in the 61st Minute
5. Weekend Update