Another Jamaican footballer is looking to make the switch to the developing United States’ Major League Soccer.
Harbour View’s Kevin Wooley is the most recent player aiming to ply his trade abroad. He is slated to undergo a one-week training stint with Kansas City Wizards from September 6-11.
The 25-year-old is grateful for the opportunity and is looking to take full advantage of it.
“This is my first trial outside of Jamaica with a professional team, so I am looking forward to grabbing this opportunity with my two hands,” said Wooley. “I don’t want them to have any second thoughts; I just want to give them a good impression in the first week of training so they can realise that I can be a really good asset to the team,” he added.
Wooley was provided with the opportunity after former St George’s College player, Erine Spence, connected him with agent Brian James. James then went in search of a club for Wooley.
The fullback came up through Harbour View’s academy having joined the club at age 13. He has netted once for Harbour View’s senior team, but suffered a major setback in 2008 following ligament damage to his ankle.
“I played about seven games that season (2008-2009) as I had to be trying to get fit,” said Wooley. “When I got injured I did not take it very serious and continued to play. I was going on vacation at the end of the season and informed my physiotherapist that I had been feeling pain in my ankle. He told me that when I got back we would sort it out. When I got back to Jamaica in September of last year, I did therapy right up to November,” he explained.
He conceded that he felt saddened last season watching from the sidelines as Harbour View went on to crown themselves Digicel Premier League champions.
Wooley said: “I am a member of the team, so if I don’t play and they win I feel good, but not as good as the players on the field. Sometimes I wished I could play with the injury, but I didn’t want to cheat the team, as I would not be able to give 100 per cent.”
He has now made a full recovery and is looking forward to joining fellow Reggae Boy Shevar Thomas at Kansas City Wizards. The Wizards currently lie fourth in the Eastern Conference.