This is Roopie, after reading the comments, I want to give respect to the people who have been supporting me since day1, since I got denied from the u23's. Now a lot of people wonder why I still come back to Trinidad to play, opposed to staying in the USA, my response is up here in America you either have to of gone to a big D1 school and get seen from there, or have some really good connections.
I played for a small D2 school, and growing up my family never had the $ to send me to play for the better teams in NY. I went to a small high school and to a small juco. Both my parents were born in south. My brothers and sister were grown up as Trinidadians, although born in the states, I remember always watching World Cup 2006 and seeing Trinidad play, I was always a fan of my parents country. In saying that that's why I decided to go there and play, I have a better chance of being seen. I was always told about the politics there but I always wished people could just see all I want to do is make my parents and family happy. Yes I saved up my money from barbering (that's my hustle) from since August.
I contacted Flex in a last hope I could still make my dreams come true. I first want to thank Central FC for allowing me to come and be apart of their training, the head coach, Mr. Sancho, Mr. Harrison (I always call him Kevin) for giving me a try. I was told nothing was promised, but worth a shot, I wanted to come after 3rd of Jan, that way I could of spent my brothers 20th birthday (he has dushane muscular dystrophy, doctors said he wasn't to make it past 12) and the holidays with my family.
But was told the club are interested in other players so $ might be an issue. I don't like to depend on my family in T&T, I don't want to be a burden, so I dropped everything and went knowing what I did wrong when I came for the u23's. On trial I would sit by myself, nobody says good morning nobody small talks with me, every morning asking myself was I happy, but I knew that's how it would be.The truth is I know it would of been hard but once I got my chance I would change a lot of minds. I kept thinking to myself I was Jeremy Lynn from the Knicks. All in all I didn't feel I was involved how a trial should be, even shooting drills I wasn't called for, so I would just go to the side and do sprints, abs and push ups, while some of the players would just relax in the shade. I wanted to be in their position and it was as if they take it for granted. I did talk with the coach a day and he said he wanted to see more, see me play a match, see a final ball played into the box, and I knew I could do that without a doubt. But I started feeling less involved, going through the motions, my name wasn't being called.
I was invited to go to the adidas tournament on the avenue. I thought I played great,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXqinLM89Ak is the link, it was a small field, not the best surface, (I am the kid with long hair) but I showed off some of my touches and skill, but no words went back to the coach on my touches I guess. I came down to Trinidad under the impression I would of got a word within 2 weeks, I only packed for 2 weeks, I wasn't hearing anything, tickets were going up, and I had to be back to take care of personal things. I never got a phone call on anything, it was as if I came for trials and was just sitting around, so I made my decision to come back.
I was in Texas when I heard the coach said he has time for me and would like to spend the next 10 days with me, I am upset I did leave but I thought to myself if I do make the team what if its the same thing with playing time, would I just sit around, go to training and not hear any feedback. At the end of the day I am a foreigner, I feel as if I was treated like I live there, as if I could just wait around. I did ask however, if they would buy a ticket for me to come back for a proper trial, but was told they don't have the $. I was also told there are 4 top players on trial they're considering, I just don't know why I wasn't told a straight up no, instead of buying the ticket. I don't know what else I could of done to impress the coaches and team, with the little I was given I thought I made the most of it, also told they want more established players, but with alittle hard work and coaching I could of adapted and you never know. I would like to thank Jan Michaels, and Passion for being there for support and guidance.
I am back in the states and have trials for a USL team called Jersey Express, once again I would like to thank everybody who has been supporting me through my journeys and I have learned from every bit of my trips to T&T. Nothing in life is easy and I will fail many times before I will succeed. No I mighten be the best baller out there, or biggest and strongest, but I love the game and hopefully in the future I can say I made a name for myself. With no disrespect to Central FC, I just thought I would let everyone know. My email is Mikeroop17@yahoo.com feel free to contact me, Happy Holidays -Roopie