Reggae Boy Kemar ‘Taxi’ Lawrence is a man on a mission to take his promising football career to the big stage.
The left wing-back transferred to the United States Major League Soccer (MLS) giants New York Red Bulls from Harbour View FC, is one step closer to accomplishing his lofty dream.
Lawrence, the son of celebrated former Jamaica goalkeeper Orville Edwards, has been turning heads with impressive showings in games for the Red Bulls playing in his favoured position.
The 22-year-old has played an integral role in the Red Bulls current vein of form, after last year’s retirement of their inspirational captain Theiry Henry, with their record currently being three wins, four draws and a loss from eight games.
Their only loss of the season came against the New England Revolution last Saturday, when they went down 1-2. Lawrence, as he did in previous games, stood out in a relatively inexperienced defence line with some solid tackles and very threatening overlapping runs.
“So far I am really appreciating it; at first the weather was my challenge as the cold was a bit of a factor, but I just tell myself it’s mind over matter. So whether cold, rain or whatever, I just got to go out there and do the work. It’s getting warmer each day now so I am much better,” said Lawrence in reference to his experience at his new club.
The no-nonsense defender explained that the pace of the game in the MLS is “much faster” compared to what he is accustomed to in Jamaica.
“We all know why… it’s not because they (MLS players) run faster, but the ball gets to move faster due to the quality of the fields. In Jamaica you don’t have the quality field like in America,” Lawrence noted.
He continued: “You have players here from all over, different backgrounds (nationalities), so you have different style of plays that come together. You have some that are just very technical, you have some very fast and some very skilful. (But) overall the league is a good one, and it’s a growing league with a lot of quality and it’s good for any Jamaican right now.”
Lawrence’s move to the Red Bulls comes after a disappointing trial at another MLS club DC United last summer without being offered a contract. This, he said, prepared him for the opportunity at Red Bulls.
“I was disappointed because all the feedback I was getting from the (DC) coach and everyone was that I was getting everything right. I went there with a slight groin injury which they (DC coaching staff) knew about, so the first two days I didn’t train, but did recovery work, strengthening my groin (and) generally light training, but I came on well after that,” he explained.
“In life though you always have a bit of disappointment when things don’t work out your way, but I grew up in the church. What I always learn is sometimes God’s way is not always our way and sometimes God’s time is not our time. So when God is ready, things will work out,” added the Bull Bay resident.
After the DC experience, Lawrence refocused his efforts while playing for Harbour View in the Premier League, and as a member of Jamaica’s winning 2014 Caribbean Cup Championship team. Through his consistently impressive plays, he was invited to a two-week trial with the New York Red Bulls in Florida where things took a positive turn for him.
“When I heard about the trials a number of things went through my mind. I spoke to my grandma (Norma Seymour) who is my greatest influence and she said to just go and do my best, so I went and did just that. The feedback I got from Coach (Jesse Marsch) was that he was impressed with me; he loved my style of playing [and] my attitude.
“When I was supposed to head back to Jamaica, my coach came downstairs (the hotel) and said that I should change my clothes and get some cold-weather gears. I felt great knowing that I really wanted this, knowing this was my start to what I want,” he revealed.
As fate would have it, the deal was eventually sealed between Harbour View and the Red Bulls, facilitated by his agent Damani Ralph of Global Premier Management. The fleet-footed player made his debut for Red Bulls with a 2-0 win against DC United in March, which earned him the acknowledgement of the DC coaching staff.
“It was so ironic that we played DC in my first game; we have played them two times… we won the home game and drew the away game,” he pointed out.
Lawrence, who has won two Premier League titles with Harbour View, remains optimistic about landing a contract with a top club in Europe. However, his immediate focus is to continue his exploits for the Red Bulls which is also the team of fellow Reggae Boy Dane Richards.
Source: The Jamaica Observer