Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: Flex on January 13, 2012, 07:33:42 PM
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Kevan George now a Crew.
By Inshan Mohammed.
Tobago-born defensive midfielder Kevan George has been selected by MLS team Columbus Crew as the 29th pick of the 2012 MLS Super-Draft.
George, 21, was born in Roxborough and began his career at the tender age of 8 with St Clair Coaching School. He then played for Roxborough Anglican and Bishop High from 2001 - 2002 before migrating to the U.S.
At age 12, Kevan left Tobago with his parents Rhonda and Meryvn George, as well as his older brother Bjorn in pursuit of the American dream.
This journey to a foreign place was not an easy one, but one that would prove to be worth the while. Living in the United States Kevan played club football at Concorde Fire where he created a name for himself and established enough recognition to land him a four year scholarship at the University of Central Florida.
His impact there was immediate. He made first Team All Conference USA for three consecutive years and as the captain, led his team to its most successful season in the school's history, in making it to the second round in the NCAA tournament.
Although Kevan and his teammates aspired to propel themselves further in the tournament, their efforts still bore its fruits. Kevan and his teammate Warren Creavalle were highly scouted by many MLS teams around the country.
On January 12, 2012, Kevan and his teammate Warren were drafted to partake in the MLS combine. Kevan, who held down the holding midfielder role quite well during the combine did good enough to have caught the eye of a few MLS teams but was eventually drafted by the Columbus Crew, a prestigious team located in Columbus, Ohio.
Columbus Crew are no strangers when it comes to players from Trinidad and Tobago with; Andrei Pacheco, Tobagoian defender Kevin Adams, Ansil Elcock, Cornell Glen and off course Club legend Stern John all once played their trades at the Club.
The ‘Crew’ as they are known will see two T&T players line-up for them in the new 2012 season. The Club's 2011 "defender of the year" Julius James is there on his second year while another untapped talent is about to make his way up to the professional rank in George.
He has now sets his sight on helping his new Club to win a championship, and was recently invited to the Trinidad and Tobago national Under 23 team for a trial in their quest to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in the United Kingdom.
Kevan is all up for the tasked and told the Soca Warriors Online (SWO) that he is very excited to have gotten a T&T call-up and is eagerly awaiting the chance to help his country if picked. And if all goes well for George he could very well make his T&T U-23 debut in-front of his home town as the U-23 team is scheduled to play a touring Finland national senior team on January 25th at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.
Something which may have started 9-years ago as a dream has now become a reality, now George is finally starting to live the life he once dreamt about.
Copyrights of the Soca Warriors Online - Any press using the following article written by Inshan Mohammed are welcome to do so providing they reveal the source and writer. Furthermore, no portion of this article may be copied without proper credit as well.
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Good news here, and he 21 so that is a plus. We need to build a young team that could play together for a long time.
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Great work Flex, ah hope de youth man shine.
Now we have two decent defensive Tobago players in de MLS, hope de TTFF take note.
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Video of him. He looks like a iron midfielder.
http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/839679/839679_2012-01-12-093319.640hq.mp4
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http://www.youtube.com/v/0vKJDYqQsgQ
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http://www.thecrew.com/news/2012/01/crew-welcome-back-players-camp-starts
Midfielder Andrew Bulls will arrive this weekend, while defender Jamie Finch and forward Darren Amoo will join the team in Florida along with trialists such as Jamaican defender Lance Laing and Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Silvio Spann.
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Great work Flex, ah hope de youth man shine.
Now we have two decent defensive Tobago players in de MLS, hope de TTFF take note.
*chanting* Tobago!!! Tobago!! Tobago!! :party: :cheers: :wavetowel: ;D
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http://p.mlssoccer.com/NVnB3/video/851193/851193_2012-01-25-104533.640hq.mp4
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This guy born and grew up in Tobago a place where they talk like a Grenadian and now he sounding like a fresh water yankee. He loves Reggae and Hip Hop and forgot Soca and Trini food.
What a looser.
No wonder the youths in T&T are lost today.
He left Tobago at 12 year and now 8 years later he lost his culture.
I hope Angue Eve take note.
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Come nah man. It ain't call for dat they man. No need to fight down the youth.
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Come nah man. It ain't call for dat they man. No need to fight down the youth.
Why you taking on this guy?
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Rookie blog: Kevan George
By Kevan George (thecrew.com)
As we landed in Florida, it made me realize how much I missed it – 76 degrees, tropical breeze, palm trees and, most importantly, sunlight… something I haven't seen in a while. It felt like a vacation more than a preseason camp. Our bus trip to Bradenton from Tampa Airport lasted 45 minutes. Right away, we were assigned our rooms and then off to the IMG Fields for a light training session of 5v2s.
So far being a pro has been an amazing experience both on and off the pitch. The coaching staff, new players, veterans, down to the trainers, have all been very welcoming and helpful in the transition from being a collegiate athlete. Everyone seemed very friendly although, on the field, the organization lives up to its creed as the "hardest working." It was as if the sound of a ball transformed everyone into work horses. Every day we work harder and harder and push ourselves beyond limits in the Florida sun to achieve the ultimate goal as MLS champs this year.
After a long session, we cool down, stretch, and do all the necessary things to prepare us for a second session in the afternoon or the following day. One thing that has stood out to me has been the emphasis on diet and rest. After each session, there's a shake and a meal ready for us in the cafeteria. For each individual, treatment/exercises are tailored to fit your needs. For instance, to maximize peak fitness we use heart monitors, which is something I have never used before.
There are players that I've played against in my college career (the likes of Aubrey Perry for USF) and some from club soccer (such as Andrew Bulls and Ethan Finlay), but we haven't reminisced much about those times yet. The day will come when bragging rights will arise in our conversations, though.
Every day in training has been a fight. The coach has been demanding consistency and quality every day which brings intensity and high speed of play. The vets have been encouraging on and off the field. I have been lucky to establish a relationship with a few of the older guys and they have been giving me good advice that will definitely help me out moving forward.
Off the field, it has been very low-key. Most of my time has been spent either hanging out in our living room watching TV with the roomies or playing FIFA in Aubrey's room. There isn't much to do for fun around Bradenton, so we tend to stay around the apartment complex most of the time. I just stay up to date with Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family.
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Come nah man. It ain't call for dat they man. No need to fight down the youth. I eh think he mean to fight down de youth's football talent and aspirations but de man grow up in ah state with loud West Indian Culture and he turn counterfeit...no excuse fuh dat. Nutten wrong with fitting in but yuh hadda be able to switch back to yuhself and pay respect to yuh roots. We breds Richard Goddard leave Bago real years now and he doh sound a day removed. Dat is de right way.
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Come nah man. It ain't call for dat they man. No need to fight down the youth. I eh think he mean to fight down de youth's football talent and aspirations but de man grow up in ah state with loud West Indian Culture and he turn counterfeit...no excuse fuh dat. Nutten wrong with fitting in but yuh hadda be able to switch back to yuhself and pay respect to yuh roots. We breds Richard Goddard leave Bago real years now and he doh sound a day removed. Dat is de right way.
Buh wey de jail is dis...de moved to the US at age 12, most children quickly adapt to the language and develop the accent more than most adults. This guy went to high school and middle school here I'm sure so he'll adapt to that enviornment among his peers, how can we sit and say where he came from in GA he was exposed to "loud" West Indian culture and he turned counterfiet? We don't know that. The guy even said he eats Trinidad food so he did pay us some respect.
Kevan play de fitball brother, do your best and keep our flag flying.
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So f@*king what if he talking like yankee... It's not a trini audience he speaking for, that would understand his accent and broken english. I does see Yorke talking like that too, and he left at a later age. At 12 growing up in a more developed country, I would be surprise if the youth even remember all the Tobago spots. I am sure going to school, he had to change the way he spoke to his American friends, cause I'll tell yuh right now, they don't understand nothing we does say..Plain talk!!
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This guy born and grew up in Tobago a place where they talk like a Grenadian and now he sounding like a fresh water yankee. He loves Reggae and Hip Hop and forgot Soca and Trini food.
What a looser.
No wonder the youths in T&T are lost today.
He left Tobago at 12 year and now 8 years later he lost his culture.
I hope Angue Eve take note.
Yuh hope Eve take note of what??? What yuh should look at, is how you lost all respect and any type of dignity with the way yuh does be up in Jack KAKA HOLE...YUH F@*king MACOMEHMAN. I hope that was enough culture for yuh!!
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soccerman, adapt to what, Reggae and Hip Hop. Reggae is from the Caribbean so is T&T.
What about a support for his own culture and music.
You guys, don't like my frankness and not thinking straight.
The youth is not just American, but Jamaican to.
I have a nephew who were born in America and you would never know he was born there.
Kids must know their roots.
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soccerman, adapt to what, Reggae and Hip Hop. Reggae is from the Caribbean so is T&T.
What about a support for his own culture and music.
You guys, don't like my frankness and not thinking straight.
The youth is not just American, but Jamaican to.
I have a nephew who were born in America and you would never know he was born there.
Kids must know their roots.
Alright brother, the question was what do you listen to before a game or something to that extent....he said Bob Marley, Reggae, Lil Wayne and Jay Z.
Truth be told if this same interviewer went to T&T and asked youngsters the same question, I'll like to hear more many of them say right now I got Iwer on my Ipod.
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Since when Bob Marley is someone you listen to before a game ?
Even Machel Mantano songs would have been a better choice.
The youths in T&T are moreorless the same, they are lost and T&T culture is dying.
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I've heard people talk of studies which show that age 12 is the pivotal age for determining whether or not a person will lose his/her accent completely when immersed in a new environment i.e. If you move to a new country after age 12, you'll never fully adopt the new accent...You'll be able to "code switch", but there'll always be a (large or small) hint of your original accent...before age 12, and you'll full assimilate into the new accent...This fella on the cusp so I dunno lol...
Either way, it's irrelevant - again, another example of a supposedly positive thread that ends up in bad talkin' somebody and arguing among posters...It gettin' real old now fellas...
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Jack Horner is a cow c**t..what yuh expect?
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Jack Horner is a cow c**t..what yuh expect?
lol How do you decide between who is a fowl f*cker and who is a cow c**t?
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Jack Horner is a cow c**t..what yuh expect?
lol How do you decide between who is a fowl f*cker and who is a cow c**t?
An example of a fowl f**ker is frico...Small dicked turd.
An example of a cow c**t is Jack Horner...Big sloppy and nasty.
Hope this clears it up
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Hell, I come here as a big fella and my accent all kinda tie up. Who vex bout dat could stay blue.
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As long as you live in the states your pronunciation of certain words will change. Take for example the word salad ..... Americans have a soft emphasis on the first "a" while Trinis have a harsh emphasis on the second "a". For me Keavan still has that Trini inflection and cadence when he speaks.
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This guy born and grew up in Tobago a place where they talk like a Grenadian and now he sounding like a fresh water yankee. He loves Reggae and Hip Hop and forgot Soca and Trini food.
What a looser.
No wonder the youths in T&T are lost today.
He left Tobago at 12 year and now 8 years later he lost his culture.
I hope Angue Eve take note.
Have you ever traveled out of Trinidad? This guy left Tobago at 12. There is no way a 12 year-old in the US can maintain a Trini accent for more than 1 year. Even a 20 year old will lose some of it after a couple of years. You have no understanding of socialization. I don't care about his accent. As long as he plays well and represents T&T, it's all good.
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Crew blanks U.S. U-17 National team in pair of preseason matches
The Crew played its second and third preseason matches on Saturday, facing the U.S. Under-17 National team in a pair of 70-minute games at IMG Fields in Bradenton, Fla. The first match ended 6-0, with Eddie Gaven scoring twice and Justin Meram, Olman Vargas, Milovan Mirosevic and Emilio Renteria tallying one each. Forward Tommy Heinemann then scored twice in the second game, which ended 4-0, with Aaron Horton and Kevan George also recording goals.
The Crew got on the board early as Gaven finished his chance after going one-v-one with the goalkeeper in the eighth minute. In the 15th minute, Vargas crossed a ball into the box for Bernardo Anor who blasted a shot on goal. The ball rebounded to the feet of Gaven who first-timed it into the top-right corner for the 2-0 lead.
In the 27th minute Renteria was brought down in the box after some nice one-two play with Vargas. Mirosevic took the Penalty shot and gave the Black & Gold the 3-0 advantage. Renteria scored a couple of minutes before the end of the first half after finishing a cross by defender Aubrey Perry in the 33rd minute.
In the 51st minute Meram picked up the ball on the left side and, after some nifty dribbling, got into the box and scored the Crew’s fifth goal of the game. Six minutes later Anor crossed the ball to an oncoming Vargas who slid in to beat his defender and score the final goal.
In the 60th minute Anor was brought down in the box after splitting his defenders, but Vargas, who took the penalty, saw his shot saved by the keeper
The scoring started early in the second match as well when Horton blasted a ball towards goal only to see it blocked. George picked up the rebound and toe-poked it into the back of the net in the third minute of play. Horton would get his own tally in the 21st minute when he split two defenders and tucked the ball past the goalkeeper for the 2-0 lead.
In the 39th minute it was Heinemann’s turn to score as he received a cross from Ethan Finlay and took a right-footed shot into the back of the net.
Finlay assisted on the final goal, as well, when he crossed the ball into the box finding Heinemann’s head for the 4-0 final.
The Crew will face its first MLS opponent of preseason on Wednesday, Feb. 15, as the Seattle Sounders visit Bradenton. The Black & Gold will return to Columbus to continue preseason preparations on Feb. 16 before traveling to Charleston, S.C., on Feb. 23 for the Carolina Challenge Cup which runs Feb. 25-March 3
Second Match: Columbus Crew 4, U.S. U-17s 0
Scoring Summary:
CLB – Kevan George (Unassisted) 3
CLB – Aaron Horton (Kevan George) 21
CLB – Tommy Heinemann (Ethan Finlay) 39
CLB – Tommy Heinemann (Ethan Finlay) 53
Columbus Crew Lineup – Matt Lampson, Kasali Casal*, Josh Williams, Eric Gehrig (Shaun Francis, 13, Javier Avial*), Korey Veeder, Ethan Finlay, Cole Grossman, Kevan George, Justin Meram (Darren Amoo, 15), Tommy Heinemann, Aaron Horton (Andrew Bulls, 36)
http://www.thecrew.com/news/2012/02/crew-blanks-us-u-17-national-team-pair-preseason-matches
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Kevan George goes on loan to USL PRO club, Dayton Dutch Lions.
http://www.thecrew.com/news/2014/03/crew-sends-five-players-loan-dayton-dutch-lions-usl-pro
Then you have guys that just need game time in their positions, and Kevan is a great example. We see him as a center back and we think that he’s going to get invaluable experience being able to play with Dayton week in and week out.”
George has made 18 appearances including seven starts during the last two seasons while splitting time as a defensive midfielder and center back. The former is his preferred position, and he struggled in a loss to New York last season while trying to learn how to play central defense. Berhalter said George could be needed when the defense loses as many as three players – center backs Michael Parkhurst and Giancarlo Gonzalez and left back Waylon Francis – to World Cup duty.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/covering-the-crew/2014/03/dayton-bound.html
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Good to see his club is thinking in advance to loan him so he can be valuable for them for the WC period, positive move for his development.
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Nice to have some versatility, lets hope he takes to it or it could hurt his game.
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Used to be we had a glut of strikers and was bare in the back. Now de pendulum way over so.
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Dunno about that, we have;
Jones,
Jorsling,
Roy,
Plaza,
Winchester (Shahdon and in the future Rondell)
Glen (Cornell)
Some other options;
Scotland (long shot lol)
Daryl Roberts (where is he currently?)
Peltier (can play striker too I think?)
Guerra,
Jagdeosingh,
Gay,
Cato,
Joseph (Marcus)
Arcia
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With Saeid out, Crew might start George in midfield
By Adam Jardy (The Columbus Dispatch)
After Crew SC’s first day of practice for its game Friday against the Chicago Fire, coach Gregg Berhalter wasn’t ready to name a replacement for suspended midfielder Mohammed Saeid.
He dropped some hints, however. With vice captain Wil Trapp still unavailable as he recovers from a concussion and Saeid out after picking up two first-half yellow cards Saturday in a 2-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes, Berhalter all but named fourth-year veteran Kevan George as the next man up.
“It (will be) someone who knows how to play that position, someone who’s played it before that clearly understands the responsibility both offensively and defensively,” Berhalter said. “And then it’s about giving guys chances. We’ve played a lot of different guys this year, and for the most part, they’ve stepped up and done well. It will be another chance for a guy to step in and hopefully do well.”
A second-round Major League Soccer draft pick in 2012, George has made 24 appearances for the Crew, and all but two have come at defensive midfielder. No other available player has as much MLS experience at the position.
With only three days of practice before the first Friday game of the season, Berhalter said a decision will be made by Thursday. During practice Tuesday, only George was seen with the starters while reporters were present.
“He’s good on the ball and he’s confident,” said Tony Tchani, who will pair with Saeid’s replacement in the middle of the field. “He’s a guy that’s very physical. He covers a lot of ground. I’ve played with Kevan a few times in the past few years, and it won’t be something new."
Two weeks ago, Saeid came off during the second half of a 3-2 win over the Seattle Sounders at Mapfre Stadium. Instead of replacing him with George, Berhalter moved central defender Michael Parkhurst to the position and filled Parkhurst’s spot with veteran Tyson Wahl. Parkhurst is an option to resume that role against the Fire, Berhalter said, but he has not practiced in that role.
Homegrown rookie Ben Swanson, still in the process of finishing his junior year at Grove City High School, plays the position but has yet to start.
“I’m not exactly sure (he’s ready),” Berhalter said. “I guess that means I’m not exactly convinced that he can do it right now. He’s a guy that’s been making a ton of progress, but I just don’t know if he’s at the level right now to put him in the game.”
George has two appearances totaling 43 minutes this season, 29 of which came Saturday against the Earthquakes.
It might not be the only change to the starting lineup. On Tuesday, Kristinn Steindorsson replaced Ethan Finlay at right midfield and Chad Barson replaced Hector Jimenez at right back on the first team.
Assuming George does get the nod, Parkhurst said Chicago will feel his impact.
“He’s probably the toughest tackler on the team, him and (Emanuel) Pogatetz,” he said. “He’s strong. Don’t get confused by his slight build. Guys will feel him in the game. He’s got that physical presence. He’s tough as nails, so he’ll give us some good bite in there.”
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With Wil Trapp and Mohammed Saied out, little-used Kevan George "ready" if called for Columbus Crew SC
By Andrew King (MLSsoccer.com)
With Wil Trapp out injured and Mohammed Saeid suspended due to a red card, Columbus Crew SC midfielder Kevan George may be in line for his first start since last September when the team hosts the Chicago Fire on Friday night (8 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
George, who made just four MLS appearances last season but came in last weekend after Saeid earned his second yellow, says it would be “an honor” to get the start, but that he’s just focusing on contributing all he can in training for now.
“Nothing has changed,” he said. “We all train together, practice together. It’s just if the opportunity arises, you’ve got to be ready to play. Nothing changes.”
And while some teams separate the likely starters from the reserves during practices, George said Crew SC’s tendency to train as one unit helps reserves like himself step into the fray.
“You’re accustomed to the guys who normally start,” he said. “It makes it a little easier whenever you’re given the chance and the transition is a little easier.”
Head coach Gregg Berhalter said he would assess the performance of several players in training this week to determine who will start alongside Tony Tchani in the center of the park. He said he likes what he’s seen from George, but needs to know the Trinidad & Tobago native can put it together on the MLS stage.
“Kevan has done well,” Berhalter said. “In training, he’s always really solid. So the next step for us is taking his performance in training and translating that into a match. That’s what we’re looking for.”
George said Berhalter hasn’t given him many specific instructions, but being around Trapp and Saeid has helped him know what the coach expects from his position.
“When he spoke to either Wil or Mohammed, I listened as well because I’m in that position,” he said. “We develop as a team. You compete with the guys next to you, but you also learn from them. It’s been learning [from] a distance, for me.”
A year ago, Berhalter sent George to play with the Dayton Dutch Lions, the club’s USL affiliate at the time. Back then, he thought George would play center back. But in his time back in Columbus, George seems to have convinced his coach to keep him in the midfield.
“I think his first position would probably be holding midfield and the secondary position would be center back,” Berhalter said. “He’s good at winning the ball, he’s good on the ball, he understands what that role needs, he’s comfortable playing simple and he’s good in challenges.”
And for George, the position on the field doesn’t matter – as long as he’s on the pitch, he’ll be happy.
“[Not playing has] been tough, but it’s been a learning experience, one that I’ve welcomed with open arms,” he said. “It’s just a part of the development. As long as I’m on that field training, getting to play and healthy, I’m OK.
“If I get to start, I’ll be ready. I’ll be mentally tuned in. I’m physically ready, no injuries, so I’ll be OK.”
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Meet T&T midfielder Kevan George
https://www.youtube.com/v/aF3N226GyGU
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George 'disappointed' with Gold Cup loss
By Adam Jardy (The Columbus Dispatch)
Fresh off a thrilling, 4-4 tie with Mexico in the 2015 Gold Cup, midfielder Kevan George and his Trinidad & Tobago teammates weren’t satisfied. The tie had earned the island country the top spot from Group C, setting up a quarterfinal showdown with Panama for a chance to reach the team’s first goal for the tournament: a berth in the semifinals.
Unfortunately for the Soca Warriors, it wasn’t to be. At Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, Panama prevailed 6-5 on penalty kicks to hand Trinidad & Tobago its first – and only – loss of the tournament.
Four days later and three states away, George was back to his day job with Crew SC at the EAS Training Center in Obetz with a sense of wanting more still fresh in his mind. When asked for his overall reflections on the Gold Cup, George used one word first: disappointment.
“It was obviously a good run in the group stage, but we’re still pretty disappointed,” he told The Dispatch today. “I know I am still. It was tough to watch the other games, to be honest. We can build on what we’ve done and not settle for just having a tournament or whatever because in our eyes we haven’t accomplished anything so we’re still hungry. We still feel like we can do more in CONCACAF and hopefully in the world leading up to the World Cup qualifiers. It left a bitter taste in our mouths and we’re definitely ready and hungry to move forward to the next game.”
Now in his fourth season with the Crew, George has made 27 appearances including 11 starts. This season, he has appeared in five games with two starts. He played the entirety of all four games in the Gold Cup, giving him one of his longest stretches of game appearances since becoming a professional.
It was a welcome change.
“It was definitely good to get a stretch of games,” he said. “I didn’t go in expecting anything. I didn’t expect to sit on the bench or expect to play, I just went in there ready. It definitely felt good to see hard work get you a little bit of game time to showcase what you can do, because time is few and far in between here. That doesn’t mean I’m depressed or anything, it just means I have to work harder and eventually something will have to give.”
The challenge now is to turn that momentum into more consistent playing time with the Crew. George has now made 14 appearances for his national team.
“(It’s about) having the patience to wait for your chance and then when your chance comes making the most of it,” Crew coach Gregg Berhalter said. “I think that’s what’s most important, because he has quality. Now the next question is when you get an opportunity, are you going to be able to capitalize on it?”
George said he will work on that by “Just (doing) the same things I did before, maybe a little bit more. Staying after practice, doing stuff on my own, trying to absorb as much information as possible from teammates and the coaching staff. Just sticking to the basics, man. The basics will help you, as it did for our team and myself in the Gold Cup.”
Wednesday was George’s first day back with the Crew. Today, Berhalter said, “He looks good. He looked good today in training. He’s a guy that has, in my eyes, made a tremendous amount of progress this year. I think he’s put himself in line to be able to get on the field. He’s done a good job.”
While with his national team, George spent time with Kenwyne Jones, a forward who plays for Cardiff City in England and has recently been linked to Major League Soccer in numerous reports. Did Jones seek out George’s opinion on the league?
“Not really,” George said. “We were just focusing on the tournament at the time. If we made it to the semis at least, then we would’ve probably had those conversations. We didn’t really talk about it much, but I wouldn’t see why he wouldn’t want to come, maybe not this year but next year. He’d be a great, great asset to the league.”
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Kevan George hoping to build on international experiences
By Adam Jardy (The Columbus Dispatch)
One week after possibly the busiest week of international call-ups in Crew SC history, Wednesday’s practice session found the team still short a few players.
At the EAS Training Center in Obetz, the Crew went through 10-on-10 scrimmaging while reporters were present because, well, that’s as many bodies as coach Gregg Berhalter had to work with. Still absent were forward Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone), midfielders Justin Meram (Iraq) and Ben Swanson (United States U-20) and defenders Harrison Afful (Ghana) and Sergio Campbell (Jamaica, then on loan to USL affiliate Austin).
For those who are back, however, it was a chance to start using the experiences they had with their countries to help out their club.
“It’s really good to see your teammates in a different environment and see how they use what they learned here and transfer it over to the national team level,” said midfielder Kevan George from Trinidad & Tobago. “You can tell that it helps the team get better.”
This season, George has made as many appearances for his national team as he has for the Crew: five. In this latest game, George came on in the 70th minute of a 3-3 tie with Mexico played Friday night in Sandy, Utah, a rematch of a 4-4 tie between the teams during the summer’s Gold Cup.
The result left George excited about the future for the Soca Warriors.
“I think it’s something that we can learn from, but it was a lot of improvement (from the Gold Cup),” George said. “I thought we played a much better game. Coach was happy with our performances. It was a good game for the fans as well. (Mexico) didn’t sit back and we didn’t give them the respect because we know that we can compete against them. Now we’re not saying, ‘Hey, we’re better than Mexico.’ We respect them and I think we can compete with them now.”
George said this most recent camp will help prepare the team for World Cup qualifying.
“It was a good transition … just the altitude sucked for the first two or three days,” he said. “There was no drop-off there, being with the team. They’re like family. Everyone is so supportive of each other. We always have fun together, but when it’s business it’s business time. All the friendships go out the window. Speaking for myself, you have to showcase yourself and push your teammates, push yourself so we can be the best Trinidad & Tobago team we can be and take it step by step to do well on the journey to qualify for the World Cup.”
Those players who remained in Columbus were able to watch several of their teammates playing elsewhere and think about others who are awaiting a call.
“I think playing for your country is one of the most rewarding things you can do,” George said. “Playing for your club is great, but when you represent where you come from as a little kid, we’ve seen guys who have made it far from our country and we want to be one of those guys that little kids work towards to become. As far as the other guys go, they’re all deserving and I think a lot more guys in the locker room deserve it as well. Everything is about timing: when it’s your time, it’s your time, whether it’s for club or country.
“I think the guys in the locker room who haven’t been called yet will get their chances, and for those of us who did get called I think we did well.”
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Kevan George in new club talks.
By Shaun Fuentes (Guardian).
T&T senior team midfielder Kevan George may well be on the look out for a new club after his contract with American MLS club Columbus Crew came to an end this month. But reports have stated that the club is negotiating George and forwards Jack McInerney and Aaron Schoenfeld to keep them at the club. Columbus also released four players at the end of this season.
The 25-year-old George played in the recent 2018 World Cup Qualifier versus the United States and has been a regular member of Stephen Hart’s squad for the past two years.
“At the moment there are talks about where my future lies in club football. I’ve had a tremendous experience with Columbus Crew and I’m thankful for that. I will know shortly where I will be playing my football in 2016,” George said.
“I think overall I will have to say that 2015 has been a good year for me. I felt my form was quite good with the national team and most importantly I would say the team had a successful year when you look at our performance at the Gold Cup and the start that we have made to the 2018 World Cup campaign.
“Most important for us now is that we can keep the momentum going and build on our success up this point. I think the head coach Stephen Hart has been doing a good job and has been an inspiring figure in the team. But the main thing, like I said, is for us to keep on working and staying focused at the task at hand.
“We have the Copa America qualifier in January and then the two World Cup qualifiers against St Vincent in March and we need to be well prepared for these games. I think collectively we can make a lot of good things happen for the team and for football in the country.”
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Kevan is on trial with DC United
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Kevan is on trial with DC United
:beermug: :beermug:
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Good luck Kevan. Warrior!!
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DC United Ben Olsen is impressed with Kevan George so far and says he looks sharp in the center of the field.
http://www.dcunited.com/post/2016/01/24/2016-preseason-day-2
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Niceness. BraveHart's recommendation is also going to be good. Go for it Kevan.
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Kevan George dropped from DC United’s pre-season roster, but may end up back at United’s camp. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/02/05/d-c-united-trims-preseason-roster-after-first-stage-of-training-camp/)
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Jacksonville Armada FC signs Trinidad and Tobago international Kevan George
Armada FC Public Relations
The Jacksonville Armada FC announced on Sunday the signing of Trinidad & Tobago International midfielder Kevan (KEE-von) George.
George recently joined Jacksonville as a trialist after spending the last four years with Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew, logging 1,344 minutes in 28 appearances and 11 starts during that time. He has earned 10 caps for the Trinidad & Tobago National Team since 2013.
"We are excited to add another quality player to our roster,” said Tony Meola, Armada FC head coach and technical director. “Kevan comes to us with international experience and has adapted to our group quickly. We are looking forward to seeing Kevan grow over the next few seasons here in Jacksonville."
Prior to being drafted 29th overall by the Crew in the second round of the 2012 MLS Superdraft, George was a three-time All-Conference USA selection for NCAA Division I side University of Central Florida in Orlando. There he started 73 matches and finished with six goals and 16 assists.
A native of Roxborough, Trinidad & Tobago, George prepped at Decatur High School in Decatur, Ga., where he was the captain of his team. He was also a member of the Region III Olympic Development Program team from 2003-06.
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Great news
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VOTE NOW for midfielder Kevan George as Jacksonville Armada’s Player of the Year (http://www.armadafc.com/news/2016/10/25/vote--armada-fc-player-of-the-year-)
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The Dirty South Soccer Interview: Kevan George
By Jon Nelson (dirtysouthsoccer.com)
Kevan George moved to the Decatur area from his native Trinidad and Tobago at a young age. He started playing for Concorde Fire and made the Georgia ODP team quickly. His strong youth career led him to the University of Central Florida where he was a multiple time All-Conference selection.
George was drafted by the Columbus Crew in the second round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft and earned his first call-up to the Trinidad and Tobago national team in 2013 for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
After leaving the Crew, George settled in with the NASL’s Jacksonville Armada and recently spent time with his national team during World Cup and Caribbean Cup qualifiers, playing alongside Atlanta United’s Kenwyne Jones.
(ed. note- thanks to Ryan Lobato of the Jacksonville Armada for using the conference call function on his cell phone to make the conversation happen before a long flight to Edmonton for the squad and thanks to Kevan for some really insightful stuff)
Jon Nelson: Very few people around the world get the opportunity to represent their country- as you currently do with Trinidad and Tobago. I know you just went through another spell with the squad, but what was it like to get “The Call” and have them ask you to wear your country’s colors?
Kevan George: I was so nervous, but at the same time, I was like ‘About time!’ When I was a little kid, before I left Trinidad and Tobago, my goal was to make the National Team at the senior level and also go to a World Cup with them and play major tournaments. I know that, being back at home, we didn’t have enough resources to achieve that. To move to Atlanta and America in general afforded me those opportunities. I remember when I got that first call… I remember the day… I sat in my room and I almost cried. I said to myself that this was actually happening to me.
It happened so quickly, before the 2013 Gold Cup, I was on my way back on a trip with Columbus Crew. They called me at the airport and I had to leave the same night! I had to get down to Atlanta, actually, to play against Mexico. I didn’t get to play in the game, but that was my first experience with the National Team. I still have the feelings like then playing for the team now, but obviously, the first call was the most special one.
JN: Now that you’re a veteran of the side, there are other players on the National Team like Kenwyne Jones that make a point to say publicly how important it is and should be to play for your National Team. How do guys like you make a point to tell the younger players how important it is and how much it matters- and should matter?
KG: For me, I’m not a big talker. I’m a guy that observes a lot and I try to lead by example. I try to let the guys know that soccer is soccer- at the end of the day, whether it’s for a national team or a club team, you still have to go out and play. But, when it’s your national team, you have to stop and make sure that you have to give 180-percent. Like you said, not everyone gets to play for their country- at ANY level throughout their careers.
I try to make sure that the younger guys cherish this moment because, today or tomorrow, there could be a coaching change and it could be gone from you. Not to say that you’re a bad player, but coaches have their preferences. Enjoy the moment while it’s there and they’ve been receptive to it.
JN: So, what was this last tour like for you out on the pitch?
KG: We played the Caribbean Cup games. We won our first one against the Dominican Republic, but we lost our second one against Martinique. On that day, I don’t think we were ready for the match. I don’t know. We might have underestimated them and it cost us, because I think we’re a much better team. But that day, they had the better of us and that happens in football.
It was a bittersweet camp, obviously, because of the results. While it was fun to be around the guys, though, the obvious thing is that you want to win. And when you don’t win, regardless of who’s around you, you’re not happy. I’m speaking for myself and my teammates. When we win, anything can happen and we’re all smiles. But when we lose, because we expect so much of each other, it’s not the best place to be in our camp because we’re all so competitive.
JN: So from a national side perspective, to get to where you want to get to, what do you think you have to do as a group to get there?
KG: I think we have to get back to the basics and maybe go back to two years ago when we started to turn over a new leaf. We need to be hungry again. We need to do the little things right- the basics- and we got away from that. We need to be a team like Martinique. We need to beat the smaller islands. We’ve played against bigger nations like Mexico and the U.S. and we competed with them. I think we might have taken it for granted. But losing the game against Martinique and, earlier in the year against Haiti, it was a wake-up call that we’re not there yet.
We all realize it and we just need to go back to the basics, because it could easily slip through our fingers and we could be back to square one again.
JN: Now, to the Atlanta stuff… how did you end up in the suburbs?
KG: Back in 2002, we ended up in Decatur. The closest two schools in our zip code were Renfroe Middle and Decatur High. My parents didn’t have a car at the time, so it wasn’t like we could hop in a car and go to another district. Decatur was our first choice and we loved the area and the city. It was a real family atmosphere there.
JN: What is your first Georgia-based soccer memory from your time in Decatur?
KG: I didn’t even know if Georgia had soccer because, coming from where I came from, you would always see kids on the street corners playing. And when I got to Atlanta and Decatur, I didn’t see anyone playing soccer outside at all. I was questioning my parents going, ‘Why did you guys bring me here and bring me to this city?’ True story! So, I didn’t even know if Atlanta was a soccer city. I was a little bit nervous and a little bit disappointed. But obviously, I learned that Atlanta was a huge soccer city.
I would play games with guys who were from Mexico and moved here. And we would play in the area where the Silverbacks played, too. Every little corner would have people from the Caribbean out in Stone Mountain. So, yeah, my initial reactions were that Atlanta wasn’t a soccer city. But, over time, I was proven wrong about that.
JN: Does it surprise you at times how much the city has grown and evolved as a soccer city?
KG: Not really, because when I was younger I was playing for Concorde Fire. And I saw that there was a buzz in the air and there were a lot of young, talented players at that time. So, I knew it was going to take off. It was always my feeling and some of my teammates’ feelings that it could eventually take off. Now, as I look from the outside in, I see a lot of people talking about Atlanta and MLS and how they have great support and a lot of people are buying season tickets.
People would be surprised, but I would tell them, ‘Atlanta has always been like that’. Always having a strong fan base, thousands of kids playing club soccer, and this isn’t something new. When I was playing, we had a lot of talented kids playing that went on to play in college and some made it on to the pro level. But I am actually not surprised at all. For me, it’s about time that Atlanta gets recognized as a ‘soccer city’ in America.
JN: So then, here’s my “King For A Day” question that I like to ask: You’re in charge of the world for day, how do you keep Atlanta’s momentum as a soccer city and make it grow even further along than from what you’ve seen?
KG: For me, I’ll invest in the youth…
At the end of the day, the youth are the future of the sport. When parents get involved with their children, they’ll tell more parents and more families. And when you have that kind of momentum, you’ll never fail. Look at the Premier League teams, they invest so heavily in their youth that you’re naturally inclined to get behind them. And you do that as a family. And once you do that in Atlanta, for me when you do that, Atlanta will probably be the best soccer city in America.
For me, that’s where it starts. When you invest in the youth, and have that as your foundation, the sky is the limit.
JN: Last question and it’s the Jacksonville question: It’s been a long year there with the Armada with coaching changes early on and a season that has had its ups-and-downs. What do you think you guys have to do on the whole to finish the season on the best note possible to get things moving forward in the right direction for 2017 and beyond?
KG: Ever since I got here, everyone has welcomed me with open arms- considering I just kinda landed here out of nowhere. They’ve all been so great to me here. It’s been a humbling experience. Yeah, we had a coaching change and the start of the season wasn’t that great. Things are looking up now and we have a lot of great players on the team. We just want to win as many games as possible- not just for ourselves- but we feel that we owe it to the fans.
They’ve been there for us when we were losing when we couldn’t get a point and they still showed up. That was strange to see because not a lot of places have fans show up in situations like that and they would cheer you on even if you hadn’t won in the last three or four games. We owe it to them, going into the off-season, to give them a show and give them something to see that would interest them for next year and for the future.
We also want to build ourselves up as a team. We want to be known as THE Jacksonville Armada. So, when teams hear that and they play us, they know what to expect-good football and top competition. We want to make sure teams that play us don’t just think they’re going to get three points. We want to create a culture and keep passing along the culture that’s been going on in our locker room for the past few months.
For me, once accomplishing that, going into the off-season we’ll experience some good things as a team.
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KG is a class act. :beermug:
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Midfielder Kevan George voted as Jacksonville Armada FC’s 2016 Player of the Year.
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Midfielder Kevan George voted as Jacksonville Armada FC’s 2016 Player of the Year.
He needs to find his way back to the MLS. Maybe this might get him a try out for 2017. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes to Atlanta
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Midfielder Kevan George voted as Jacksonville Armada FC’s 2016 Player of the Year.
He needs to find his way back to the MLS. Maybe this might get him a try out for 2017. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes to Atlanta
I hope he stays away from the MLS, but if that's where the paycheck has to come from, so be it.
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From invitation to arrival…Kevan George explains his build up routine ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
TTFA Media
Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Men’s Team will begin their on-field preparations for Friday’s World Cup qualifier versus Costa Rica with a double session on Monday.
Head Coach Stephen Hart will conduct a light session in the morning period and will step up the pace in the evening from 6pm. (Venues to be confirmed, either Hasely Crawford Stadium outside field or Larry Gomes)
Hart will not have his full compliment of players with US-based duo Aubrey David and Joevin Jones scheduled to arrive in Port of Spain on Monday while French-based midfielder John Bostock scheduled in Tuesday as his club RC Lens faces Ajaccio in a league fixture on Monday evening.
“We are aware of the situations with a couple of the players. It is a situation which we cannot avoid but the majority of the squad will be here and we will get things rolling on Monday. As always, it will be an important period for us with all energies being focused on being ready for Friday’s match,” Hart told TTFA Media.
US-based midfielder Kevan George, took time out on Sunday to share some insight into his game preparations, which he explains, begins from the moment that he receives official notification of his selection from the FA. He arrived in Port of Spain on Sunday afternoon.
George is on a high, after being named “Most Valuable Player ” last week by his club Jacksonville Armada FC in the North American Soccer League.
“At this point I am very hungry and determined to for these two World Cup Qualifying games. I’m in the zone now- focused and locked in for whatever role I have to play to get us maximum points from our opening games in the hex,” George told TTFA Media.
When the call comes
“From the moment I get the call, in the back of my mind I start envisioning camp, mainly the type of training sessions and opponents we will face. Then I write down what I pray to accomplish for the upcoming camp. Every camp has a different mission. I’m typically disciplined in the way i eat but I eat even more greens and less meat to give me as much energy as possible.
Bags are packed
“I pack passport and bags the day before I leave to make sure I do not forget anything. I’m very meticulous with everything so I have to make sure everything is folded neatly and packed away in the suitcase or carry on. I always take a pair of boots, shin guards and change of clothes with me on airplane in my backpack just in case my checked luggage gets lost or delayed.
The Drive to the Airport
“On the way to the airport, I normally listen to music to start feeling the vibe of meeting up with my teammates in camp. When on the airplane, I normally sleep or watch a good action movie.
Marking the Opponents
Costa Rica has several big threats that we respect such as Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz, just to name a couple. They have Talented individuals and are very smart at finding spaces,” George said.
Making the Right Start
“The start is the most important part for us because we want to put ourselves in a position to qualify early. In the Gold Cup we started off our first game of the tournament extremely fast and we rode that wave to the quarter finals unfortunately bowing out on penalty kicks. Even though there are better opponents in these World Cup qualifiers,, I think if we can emulate that start we had in the last Gold Cup we can make the dream a reality,” George said
Striking the balance for the two matches
“It is key that we don’t get ahead of ourselves and start counting games and points. We need to expand all of our energies on Costa Rica and worry about Honduras when that time comes. We have a pretty balanced squad so whoever is on the field for both games, we are confident that they can do the job so no one will have to conserve energy for the next game.
What about that “MVP” award?
“I was very honored and happy to be voted by fans as the Team MVP, but I do not dwell on it though. I’m not a person that set forth goals such as “I want to be team MVP” but it was a nice touch to conclude the season for me personally.” George added.
Fans can purchase their game tickets at Lotto Locations nationwide at $350 (covered section) and $200 (uncovered). Season passes can also be purchased at all First Citizen’s Bank branches nationwide.
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Kevan George named vice-captain of Jacksonville Armada FC (http://www.armadafc.com/news/2017/02/28/aaron-pitchkolan-named-captain-kevan-george-vice-captain-for-2017)
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George turns to martial arts.
By Shaun Fuentes (Guardian).
T&T United States-based midfielder Kevan George says that practicing martial arts is his latest form of cross training that helps him to relax away from football.
George is a member of North American Soccer League club Jacksonville Armada.
“I have been at it for several months now and it is easily one of my favourite forms of active rest. Martial arts keeps me composed, focused, centred, and balanced on and off the field,” George said.
“I have found a love for it and it’s definitely something I look forward to when I don’t have to focus on football. Obviously football is my first love and focus and there will be a lot happening in the coming few weeks with the World Cup qualifiers coming up against the US and Costa Rica,” he added
George’s club teammate, T&T forward Jonathan Glenn recovered from a facial injury early in the match to score the equalising goal for Jacksonville Armada in 1-1 draw with Indy Eleven at Hodges Stadium in the North American Soccer League earlier those month.
The result was Armada’s third straight draw leaving them unbeaten in fave games so far for the season.
Glenn was forced to the sidelines twice for treatment to a facial cut, came back to net his first goal for the club.
“We knew coming in they would try to get physical,” said Glenn who was named on the NASL “Team of the Week” for his efforts.
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Charlotte Independence signs Kevan George to 2018 roster
By James Thomas (charlotteindependence.com)
The Charlotte Independence signed Trinidad and Tobago national team player Kevan George to the 2018 roster on Monday, pending league and federation approval.
“I was blessed to play on the national team and play against great competition,” said George. “Being at the international level, having that experience, maybe it'll make some guys feel more comfortable and the younger guys will look to me at times for guidance or direction and I will embrace that roll.”
The Roxborough, Trinidad and Tobago native has appeared in 23 games for his national team since 2013. George brings a veteran presences to the Independence midfield after logging playing time for Columbus Crew SC (Major League Soccer) from 2012-15 and Jacksonville Armada (North American Soccer League) the last two seasons.
“There we are a lot of reasons to come to Charlotte, said the 27 year-old, George. “Most importantly on the football side, I know there's a very good coach in Mike Jeffries.”
“Signing Kevan is huge for us,” said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “He provides a strong defensive anchor for our midfield as well as being a player we can build through. Our priority in the offseason has been the center of midfield and establishing a strong presence there, which Kevan allows us to do.”
A perfect match for Jeffries’ possession oriented, attacking style, George ranked eighth for most passes completed in the NASL last season. One of the most accurate passers for the Armada, George logged an 87.3% completion rate in 2017, which would have only be topped by Jun Marques-Davidson among Charlotte Independence starters last season.
The addition of George puts the Independence’s roster now at six players under contract including Matthews native and UNC Charlotte soccer alumni Donnie Smith. The Independence will kickoff the 2018 season at the Sportsplex at Matthews on Saturday, March 17th versus Ottawa Fury FC. 2018 Season Memberships are available online and by calling 704-206-1515. For details on the full 2018 USL regular season schedule, please visit charlotteindependence.com.
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Kevan is a bar of gold for CLT. Liking this move more than the JAX move.
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Kevan is a bar of gold for CLT. Liking this move more than the JAX move.
I'll be following him this season now.
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Independence's Kevan George returns to site of greatest triumph
By Ashley Mahoney (The Charlotte Post)
Kevan George has unfinished business in Charlotte.
A recent addition to the Charlotte Independence midfield, George returns to Charlotte for club, but initially came for country. His previous experience with the Queen City came in the 2015 Gold Cup group stage at Bank of America Stadium where his Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors won Group C with a 4-all draw against Mexico in a game that literally shook the stadium.
“Against Mexico, that’s our World Cup,” George said. “They have great players, but I was very nervous. The night before that game, I couldn’t sleep. I’ll be honest, because I don’t think I’ve played in a game of that magnitude up to that point. On game day, there was a sense of calm.”
That first trip to Charlotte left an impression on George.
“Maybe it was meant to be,” he said. “We had our best and most historical game outside of the World Cup there against Mexico. We’re a small country so that means a lot to us. Maybe it was meant to be for me to come back to Charlotte, because it felt like unfinished business.”
That experience convinced George, who is no stranger to international play, that Charlotte is a “soccer city.”
“The energy around the city,” he said. “I did not know that Charlotte was a soccer city, but that day, oh my. The goosebumps just traveling to the stadium, seeing everyone in the streets, it reminded me of when we played in Argentina. It was just great to see, and personally my best experience as a soccer player. The result wasn’t too bad, but we’ll take 4-4 any day against Mexico.”
George, who joins the Jacks from the NASL’s Jacksonville Armada, replaces defensive midfielder Jun Marques Davidson.
“He gives us a real anchor in the middle of the field,” Charlotte coach Mike Jeffries said. “Not only a guy who is good in possession and can help us build the attack, but a real physical presence, which helps us defensively.”
The role remains pivotal for Charlotte’s ability to maintain possession and play out of the back, as they often did through Davidson and center backs Bilal Duckett (who has re-signed with the club) and Henry Kalungi.
“My role with the squad won’t change,” George said. “I’m a defensive midfielder by trade and by birth.”
Said Duckett: “I’ve known Kevan since high school. When I got word that he was even considering coming here in the offseason, I got really excited. There’s few opportunities to play with somebody that you’ve held in high regard as a peer for a very long time, and you’ve both been seasoned pros for a little bit, seen the world a bit, and come back. It feels like a little bit of a hometown reunion.”
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WATCH: Kevan George’s first professional goal is a game-winner as Charlotte Independence gets the 1-0 win over Nashville SC. Cordell Cato provides the assist.
https://www.youtube.com/v/1pYFD5-WEAU?start=40
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WATCH: Midfielder Kevan George scores his second goal of the season in Charlotte Independence’s 6-2 loss to North Carolina FC
https://www.youtube.com/v/xn-HZYeVJ9I?start=30
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Kevan George came close to upending the 3-3 deadlock between visitors Charlotte Independence and hosts Loudoun United FC, but "goalkeeper Calle Brown made his mark in the first game in Segra Field’s history in his hometown of Leesburg, Va. with a brilliant stoppage-time save" to stifle George's effort.
https://www.youtube.com/v/uozRR6i7NsU
https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1040421
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On the national team, we typically don't see George involved in these situations. He's tended to be positioned to provide cover ... particularly in the event the opponent transitions quickly.
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Kevan..... decent destroyer....nice header
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Black Lives Matter: Kevan George speaks out
bgn.fm
Since the killing of George Floyd last week in Minneapolis, the never-ending injustice facing black people in America has come back to the forefront with protests across the country and social media posts with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. Rather than just putting out a cookie-cutter statement in support of the black community, the Beautiful Game Network wanted to give this platform to black players across the USL Championship to explain the struggle they go through on a daily basis, their feelings during these intense times, the things they would like to see changed in the future, and more.
(These quotes were primarily gathered by Hugh Roberts, Charlotte Independence defender, Backyard Footy (https://linktr.ee/backyardfootyy?fbclid=IwAR2S0_XjJIOkXB-GR0khXxyIq9a6dmfWT3_opSvl7ed2FXozE2yvtUIUBW4) host, and the man behind these powerful words (https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1107489))
What are you feeling right now with everything going on?
Kevan George: Initially fear, anger, and sadness surfaced, but as things continue to unfold, it is hard to process any feelings. 2020 has really been the year of vision with so many hidden truths coming to the forefront. The underlying problems and injustices that have been swept underneath the rug has finally been exposed and sparked responses/action amongst all groups of people. Some people have kept these issues under the rug for decades and are uncomfortable with addressing it, while the majority have decided to stand with us.
Have you dealt with racism on the pitch? How did you react and how difficult is it to focus on a match at that point?
Kevan George: I have not dealt with racism on the pitch, but ex-teammates and close friends have experienced it in college soccer and the professional ranks. They recall fans, both young and older white folks, screaming racial slurs amidst fan support so they cannot be easily identified. My friends did not report it to their coaches at the time because they felt that it would be pointless to engage in a battle where social injustices were already prevalent in everyday life and did not receive much attention.
The honest truth is there are probably fans that watch and root for you on Saturdays in their favorite team’s kit that don’t respect you as a person because of the color of your skin. How does that make you feel?
Kevan George: If there are fans that do not respect me because of their preconceived beliefs, that’s a problem that they’ve developed over time and have to solve from within. They didn’t get a chance to get to know me as a person so it would not affect me or my performance.
As a professional soccer player, how can you and your peers use your platform to help and what changes would you like to see made?
Kevan George: In addition to posting messages on various social media platforms, it is essential for us to have face-to-face conversations with people within our community. Engaging in face-to-face discussions with different groups in the community, regardless of how uncomfortable, is the most effective form of communication in times of crisis. It brings more meaning and credibility to the message being communicated and both parties could resolve any different opinions or move forward amicably. The point is not to get the opposing group on your side after an interaction, but more so to encourage future conversations and bring understanding to the cause. I also believe that the support and involvement of white teammates during this time and beyond will create the picture that #weAREstrongerTOGETHER. Minorities have banded together for many years on similar issues for decades and we are still at this point in 2020. The advocacy and solidarity of our white teammates will not only build an impenetrable bond on the field but will send a powerful message of how we as a country should come together as one unified voice.
While it’s an impossible task, if you had to show a movie or play a song for someone that isn’t a person of color to illustrate the struggle the most, what would that be and why?
Kevan George: “This Is America (https://open.spotify.com/track/0b9oOr2ZgvyQu88wzixux9?si=ojdpDz_GSqeFYKgHyxPILA)” by Childish Gambino is a perfect depiction that illustrates the struggles faced today. This music video touched on issues ranging from racial injustices, gun violence, and mental illness stigma that have plagued/crippled black people and its communities. These issues have been prevalent for decades, but now they’re being recorded to be viewed around the world as a subtle reminder that we are inferior to our white counterparts.
Are there any black-operated non-profits or charities that you support or that you’d like to acknowledge?
Kevan George: There aren’t any black-operated non-profits or charities that I actively participate in at the moment, but I’d wholeheartedly support those that pique my interest.
Who are some historical black figures that you especially pull guidance or wisdom from?
Kevan George: Bob Marley, Nelson Mandela, and Maya Angelou.
What would it mean to you to see owners/clubs put out statements against racism AND provide some action (donation, awareness, etc.) for the cause?
Kevan George: That gesture would be a very good step in the right direction. Professional sports organizations and owners are very influential in the communities and could often determine which direction the people sway on certain issues. With them echoing these statements, players will have more leverage and support when having these difficult conversations with those that may be less understanding of the severity of the situation at hand.
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This man shouldn't get call up, we need him.
Is he injured?
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This man shouldn't get call up, we need him.
Is he injured?
31 years old, didn't play at all last year, and currently without a club.
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This man shouldn't get call up, we need him.
Is he injured?
31 years old, didn't play at all last year, and currently without a club.
That's surprising, he is still good enough to play at least 2 more years in de USL.
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This man shouldn't get call up, we need him.
Is he injured?
31 years old, didn't play at all last year, and currently without a club.
That's surprising, he is still good enough to play at least 2 more years in de USL.
plus TF is not a fan of him ....
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Kevan george was a good option under hart, but he’s lost a step or two. just to be clear I fancy him as a neat little player with very good ball control and passing ability, but these players have never advanced beyond being ok. in the last hex kevan seem to be very slow for the midfield, and now that we have danial phillip and poon angeron I don’t think we need to go backwards in that regard. what we need is two solid central defenders and a right full back and another goal scorer along side molino, I think that might possibly see us through to the octagon and the gold cup.
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Kevan george was a good option under hart, but he’s lost a step or two. just to be clear I fancy him as a neat little player with very good ball control and passing ability, but these players have never advanced beyond being ok. in the last hex kevan seem to be very slow for the midfield, and now that we have danial phillip and poon angeron I don’t think we need to go backwards in that regard. what we need is two solid central defenders and a right full back and another goal scorer along side molino, I think that might possibly see us through to the octagon and the gold cup.
And what about through to the world cup ?
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Kevan george was a good option under hart, but he’s lost a step or two. just to be clear I fancy him as a neat little player with very good ball control and passing ability, but these players have never advanced beyond being ok. in the last hex kevan seem to be very slow for the midfield, and now that we have danial phillip and poon angeron I don’t think we need to go backwards in that regard. what we need is two solid central defenders and a right full back and another goal scorer along side molino, I think that might possibly see us through to the octagon and the gold cup.
And what about through to the world cup ?
I am not that unrealistic or delusional. we could hardly beat caribbean opposition but somehow have what it takes to be in the top four teams in concacaf? in past years I was that delusional but not anymore. I hate to keep repeating myself but what we really need to be more competitive is a A 1 solid league with relegation and promotion, schools geared towards producing footballers with European partnering and cooperation and adequate funding by both cooperate and state sponsorship.
TBH I will be satisfied and gratified with making the octagon and the gold cup and even making it past the first round, because all I want to see is football for now and the tactics of terry fenwick who has been clamoring for the job for years, and if somehow we make it to the world cup (which I seriously doubt) then fine more for me, but I not crossing my fingers.
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I liked George - kept it simple, broke up plays, read the game well and was strong in the tackle even though he had a small frame. I remember Hart even saying he was the only one of the bunch he believed had a style that would suit playing in Europe.
Good luck to him wherever his future takes him, football or otherwise.
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I liked George - kept it simple, broke up plays, read the game well and was strong in the tackle even though he had a small frame. I remember Hart even saying he was the only one of the bunch he believed had a style that would suit playing in Europe.
Good luck to him wherever his future takes him, football or otherwise.
SH said that?
He stood out to Latas as well. The game within the game.