Gordon Williams | Jamaica Gleaner
Rising demand for Jamaican talent by Major League Soccer (MLS), spiked by top selections in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, has ramped up options for local footballers targeting professional careers overseas.
Jamaicans still desire playing in Europe – British countries head the list – but observers believe the bulk of that craving could be redirected to North American leagues, rarely the first choice.
“A little bit of it is ignorance,” said player agent Damani Ralph, explaining why leagues like MLS are often tagged second rate by his fellow Jamaicans.
“I think you grow up as a youngster (in Jamaica) and you see the BPL (Barclay’s Premier League in England) on TV, you see the Spanish League and the reality, (you say) ‘Yeah, the MLS is not in comparison in the level’.”
Ralph, a former international and MLS star, believes and Jamaicans should acknowledge tone down expectations.
“The reality is that you have to take baby steps and I don’t think there’s a young kid in Jamaica right now that’s ready to leave Jamaica right now and go into the BPL or go into Spain,” he said at the recent MLS Players Combine in the United States.
The draft showed North America’s willingness to invest in Jamaican talent. Three players – André Blake, André Lewis, and Damion Lowe – were selected in the top 10, joining over a dozen other Jamaica-born players on MLS rosters.
“The respect is definitely growing,” Ralph said. ” … It’s a testament to the talent pool that we have in Jamaica.”
US and Canada-based teams from MLS, United Soccer Leagues and North American Soccer League have appeal. MLS, the premier league, has steadily eroded negative stigmas. Play quality has improved. The league added big names – David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Jermain Defoe among them – to solicit legitimacy, although some argue they came after their prime. There are more football-specific stadiums and another increase in teams looms.
FINANCIAL REWARDS
Minimum North American financial rewards supersede Jamaica’s. A top local Premier League player earning J$60,000 a month is considered “well paid”. Yet even in the lower-tiered North American leagues like USL he can make over US$2,000 (approximately J$200,000) for the same period. MLS pays more. Cultural comforts count, too, especially since there’s hardly a language barrier.
“It’s a viable option,” Clyde Jureidini, general manager of Harbour View Football Club, said while attending the Combine.
“(MLS) is right next door. It’s in the neighbourhood. It’s in CONCACAF. It’s probably one of the most coveted land masses by the Jamaican people culturally. Everybody wants to come.”
NEGATIVE PERCEPTION
The once-negative perception towards North American leagues appears to be fading.
“It used to be the case, but I don’t think so anymore,” said Jamaican Baron Marshall, an agent. “MLS. I think, players will jump at that.”
North American clubs also know they can win with Jamaicans. Tyrone Marshall, Andy Williams, and Omar Cummings played key roles on champion MLS teams.
North America is also nurturing Jamaican talent. Many, like Marshall, Williams, Cummings, Blake, and Lowe, benefited from US college football. It added discipline, making Jamaicans more marketable.
“The kids are put into a little more different structure, different environment (in college),” said Ralph, “and you’re seeing the effects of that. We’re putting out more kids that are moving into the professional ranks.”
MLS’s first Caribbean Combine is one sign the league is becoming more smitten by the region. Observers believe it suits Jamaicans to return the embrace, even if they won’t stay.
“It’s a good transition league for them,” Ralph said, “to come here, prove themselves and then they can make that jump (elsewhere).”