MOHAMMED EAGER TO TAKE MLS STAGE
By Shaun Fuentes
Former National Under 17 captain Javed Mohammed is on the verge of kickstarting his professional career with Colorado Rapids this coming week after being drafted by American MLS club Colorado Rapids last Tuesday. And he’s ready to embrace that chance from College player to Pro having completed an outstanding tenure with University of South Florida where he also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications.
Like most other players, Mohammed has his sights on making the “Soca Warriors” line up in the near future.
“It’s a really good feeling to be drafted by Colorado. Hard work has definitely paid off. This selection is just a stepping stone for greater things. I now have to go into preseason and work hard to actually get my name on the roster and challenge the other players for a spot on the team,” Mohammed told TTFF Media on Saturday as he got down to packing his bags before heading over to join the rest of the Colorado team for the start of its preseason campaign on Sunday as they prepare to defend their 2010 MLS Cup title.
Mohammed is a left back and Rapids head coach Gary Smith seems to think he has made a good pick. "It’s always difficult to come by left backs and [Mohammed] looks athletic and attacking,” Smith said.
“Hard work, dedication and faith has led to this. My journey has been very interesting growing up in La-Romaine, Trinidad then moving on to high school at Naparima, Playing Intercol at 14. Then moving unto College in the US where I had to move away from all my family, where the level of play was higher and much quicker and now to the professional level where the pace of play would be on a different level,’ Mohammed mentioned.
He credits his alma mater Naparima College for much of his development, particularly in the academics which allowed him to actually focus better on his footballing exploits.
“I got my bachelor's degree in Communication. I actually finished school a semester early. I think much credit has to be paid to my high school in Trinidad, Naparima College. There is where I learnt my work ethic and carried it on to College and now on the professional game,” he added.
He joins a list of T&T players who have appeared in the MLS from Stern John, Brian Haynes, Evans Wise, Travis Mulraine, David Nakhid, Chris Birchall, Keyeno Thomas, Scott Sealy, Collin Samuel, Mickey Trotman, Ansil Elcock,Julius James and Cornell Glen among others. Surely, Mohammed wants to use the opportunity to impress the national team coaches.
“My main intention is to come back and play for the National team. This has never gone out of sight for me. I know that being in college it was hard for the national selectors to keep an eye out for my progress but I knew once I got into the professional ranks I would eventually get a call back. With hard work one day my dream will come true to wear the national colors once more,” the 22-year-old Mohammed concluded. The Rapids face Portland Timbers in their MLS opener on March 19. (Jan 22,2011)
