MLS D.C. United

Bobby Convey\'s Petition for Work Permit Denied by England\'s Home Office

Published on August 28, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


CHANTILLY, VA (August 28, 2003) - D.C. United and Major League Soccer announced today that Bobby Convey's petition for a work permit has been denied by England's Home Office, impeding his transfer to English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. The 20-year-old midfielder remains on United's active roster.

"We are obviously extremely disappointed for Bobby at the outcome of the work permit hearing," said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. "However, I am confident that he will one day fulfill his ambition of playing in the top leagues of Europe.

Convey became the youngest player drafted into MLS when he was chosen by United with the club's first-round pick in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft, the 12th player selected overall. He was thrust into action by necessity during United's 2000 MLS campaign. Originally earmarked to play the majority of the season with the league's Project-40 developmental squad, Convey was called upon early in the season. The Philadelphia native was the youngest player in MLS history to score a goal when he tallied in the 33rd minute against Kansas City on April 7, 2001. Born May 27, 1983, Convey was 17 years, 10 months and 11 days old when he notched his first strike. By year's end, the midfielder had played in 22 of United's 32 league matches, starting 18, and registered two assists. During his three and a half-year MLS career, Convey appeared in 70 games (64 starts), scoring eight goals and 12 assists for 28 points.

The midfielder has also emerged on the United States National Team scene. Despite his age, Convey has amassed a wealth of experience at the international level. He has earned 18 full caps in his international career and has made the most appearances (15) of any player for the USMNT in 2003. At 17 years and 151 days old, he became the third youngest player in MNT history to earn a full cap when he played one minute against Mexico on October 25, 2000. He earned his first start at left midfield against world power Brazil in a friendly played March 3, 2001, earning rave reviews for his performance against Brazilian right back Cafu.

Convey scored his first full international goal against Costa Rica in the third-place match of the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup on July 26. His tally in the 66th minute turned out to be the game-winner as the U.S. topped the Ticos, 3-2, at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

Convey has also been a fixture on the U.S. youth teams. He captained the U.S. U-20 National Team to a berth in the 2003 World Youth Championship at the qualifying tournament played last November in Charleston, S.C. He plans to lead the U.S. in the 2003 tournament to be held this November in the United Arab Emirates, after already representing the U-20's previously at the 2001 event in Argentina. Convey scored three goals, including a brace in the opener, at the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in 2001.

As member of the U.S. U-17 National Team, Convey was the youngest player on the team at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship. He appeared in 45 matches for the U-17's in 1999, starting 43 games and collecting 19 goals.

Convey was honored as the 2002 Chevy Young Male Athlete of the Year. He was named ESPN The Magazine's "Next 2001 Athlete" for soccer and was one of World Soccer Magazine's "Top 100 Rising Stars" in 2000.

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