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Donovan Ricketts

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Donovan Ricketts
Ricketts with the LA Galaxy in 2010
Personal information
Full name Donovan Ricketts
Date of birth (1977-06-07) 7 June 1977 (age 47)
Place of birth Montego Bay, Jamaica
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1994–1997 Wadadah
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1998 Wadadah
1998–2001 Seba United[1]
2001–2002 Galaxy F.C.[2]
2002–2004 Village United 19 (2)
2004–2005 Bolton Wanderers 0 (0)
2004–2005 → Bradford City (loan) 4 (0)
2005–2008 Bradford City 104 (0)
2008 Village United 5 (0)
2009–2011 LA Galaxy 70 (0)
2012 Montreal Impact 24 (0)
2012–2014 Portland Timbers 73 (0)
2015 Orlando City 10 (0)
2015 LA Galaxy 11 (0)
2017 Tulsa Roughnecks 0 (0)
International career
1998–2014 Jamaica 100 (0)
Managerial career
2016 Emory Eagles (assistant)
2017–2023 FC Tulsa (assistant)
2022 FC Tulsa (interim)
2024 Carolina Core (goalkeeper coach)
2025– Carolina Core
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Donovan Ricketts (born 7 June 1977) is a Jamaican former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper and is currently the head coach for Carolina Core FC in MLS Next Pro. Ricketts played more than 100 games for Bradford City in England, and has more than 100 appearances in Major League Soccer and has twice been named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. He was also the captain of the Jamaica national team, earning 100 caps for his country, until his retirement from international football in 2014.

Club career

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Early career

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Ricketts attended Cornwall College where he played on the Dacosta Cup team. After high school, he played for teams such as Wadadah, Seba United, Galaxy F.C. and Village United in his native Jamaica. Ricketts attracted the attention of English clubs after an impressive performance for Jamaica against Brazil in a match played in Leicester in 2003. He failed to join fellow Reggae Boys Onandi Lowe and Paul Hall at Rushden & Diamonds FC after an unsuccessful trial, and signed instead for English Premier League side Bolton Wanderers in 2004.

Bradford City

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Ricketts never played a game at Bolton and instead moved to Bradford City initially on a year-long loan in July 2004.[3] He spent most of his first season in English football as understudy to Australian Paul Henderson before he finally made his debut in April 2005 and played in the final four games.[4] During the season break he signed permanently on a two-year deal keeping him at City until 2007.[5] He missed nine games because of a broken foot early in the 2005–06 season and was replaced by Russell Howarth. He regained his place against Port Vale,[6] before he again missed a game in December 2005 after he was sent off for celebrating a City goal in a game at Southend United.[7] He was immediately recalled to the side following his suspension,[8] and played the following 80 league games, including as ever-present in the 2006–07 season.[9]

His run of games came to an end when he was dropped in October 2007 after a poor run of form.[10] He was recalled for the game against Brentford on 3 November 2007 after Rhys Evans' loan was cut short by injury,[11] playing the next 13 games. He was expected to make a move to Queens Park Rangers during the January transfer window and was replaced by loan keeper Scott Loach for Bradford's 4–2 victory over Shrewsbury Town,[12][13] but his move collapsed when he was refused a work permit.[14] Despite Ricketts' return, Loach kept his place in the City side for their 1–0 win at Macclesfield Town, saving a second-half penalty,[15] but manager Stuart McCall told Ricketts he could still have a future at the club.[16] Loach continued to keep Ricketts out of the team since his arrival on loan from Watford. And after Ricketts had played for Jamaica in March 2008, he was stopped by immigration officials at Heathrow Airport and sent back to New York because he did not have the correct paperwork. Bradford were also told a new work permit application would be turned down.[17] Instead, Ricketts returned to Jamaica to train with the country's under 21 side,[18] before being one of 13 players to be released by Bradford manager Stuart McCall at the end of the season.[19]

Return to Jamaica

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Having spent the summer, training and playing with the Jamaican international side, he returned to his former side Village United in August 2008, under the management of Dean Weatherly.[20] He lasted only 45 minutes in his return to the Village United side, after he complained of double vision at half-time after he was hit with the ball during the first half of a game with Portmore United. The game ended 1–1, with Portmore's goal coming from a mistake from Ricketts.[21]

LA Galaxy

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On 23 December 2008, LA Galaxy announced they had signed Ricketts for the 2009 Major League Soccer season.[22] Ricketts also attracted interest from Canadian side Toronto FC but he opted to join LA Galaxy on the advice of his international colleague Tyrone Marshall, who had played for both sides.[23]

Ricketts enjoyed a successful first season in Major League Soccer under Bruce Arena, leading the Galaxy to the Western Division title. His squad successfully reached the 2009 MLS Cup Final. In that championship final, he sustained a mid-game injury and was replaced backup goalkeeper Josh Saunders. Saunders filled in well, considering Ricketts started most of the games in the '09 season, but it was not enough to fend off Real Salt Lake, who won via penalties. In 2010, Ricketts was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Ricketts did not play most of the 2011 season due to injury, and was replaced by Saunders again while his team won the 2011 MLS Cup.

Montreal Impact

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On 28 November 2011 the Montreal Impact acquired Ricketts from the LA Galaxy in exchange for allocation money. Ricketts was protected in MLS Expansion Draft, necessitating a trade to acquire his services.[24]

Portland Timbers

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On 7 August 2012, Ricketts was traded to the Portland Timbers for goalkeeper Troy Perkins.[25] He made his debut on 15 August 2012 in a 2–2 draw versus Toronto FC.

Later career

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On 10 December 2014, Ricketts was chosen first by Orlando City SC in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft.

Ricketts was traded by Orlando City back to LA Galaxy on 30 July 2015 in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. He was released from the club on 7 December 2015.[26]

International career

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On 3 June 2006 he captained Jamaica in an international friendly against England at Old Trafford. Jamaica went on to lose the game 6–0.

Ricketts has been a big part of the Reggae Boyz programme, dating back to the days of former Technical Director Renê Simões. Ricketts has not only kept goal for Jamaica at the senior level, but has also done it at various junior levels for his country. He came through the national ranks under the guidance of goalkeeping coach, Paul Campbell.

Ricketts is a World Cup veteran, being named to the Jamaican squad that played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. However, with Warren Barrett and Aaron Lawrence ahead of him in the pecking order, the opportunity never presented itself for him to see any game time. Ricketts represented Jamaica in all eight of their 2010 World Cup qualifying matches,[27] where they were eliminated in the third round stage.

Managerial career

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After retiring from his playing career, Ricketts joined the full-time coaching staff of FC Tulsa in 2019. On June 17, 2022, Ricketts was named interim coach of Tulsa after the club parted ways with Michael Nsien.[28]

Ricketts was named head coach of MLS Next Pro side Carolina Core in October 2024.[29]

Personal life

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Ricketts received his U.S. green card in 2011 which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[30]

Honors

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LA Galaxy

Jamaica

Individual

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Hexagonal Countdown: Jamaica's Preliminary Roster". Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Untitled Document".
  3. ^ "Ricketts makes belated debut". Telegraph & Argus. 28 July 2004. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  4. ^ "The number one choice". Telegraph & Argus. 14 April 2005. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  5. ^ "Ricketts has the safest hands in England". Telegraph & Argus. 26 November 2005. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  6. ^ "Port Vale 0–1 Bradford". BBC Sport. 15 October 2005. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  7. ^ "'Sent off for simply celebrating a goal'". Telegraph & Argus. 12 December 2005. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  8. ^ "Ricketts can earn lucrative progress". Telegraph & Argus. 20 December 2005. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  9. ^ "Bradford 2006/2007 player appearances". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2008.
  10. ^ Parker, Simon (7 October 2007). "City fall short in land of the giants". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  11. ^ "Bradford 1–2 Brentford". BBC Sport. 3 November 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  12. ^ Parker, Simon (29 January 2008). "City to receive 'minimal' fee for Ricketts". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  13. ^ "Bradford 4–2 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 29 January 2008. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  14. ^ Crowther, Mike (30 January 2008). "Ricketts returns to City". Telegraph & Argus. Archived from the original on 11 November 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  15. ^ "Macclesfield 0–1 Bradford". BBC Sport. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  16. ^ Parker, Simon (6 February 2008). "Lifeline for Ricketts". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 February 2008. We haven't closed the door on Donovan. [permanent dead link‍]
  17. ^ "Ricketts refused re-entry to UK". BBC Sport. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2008.
  18. ^ Flynn, LeVaughn (11 May 2008). "Ricketts keeping in shape with U21s". Jamaica Gleaner. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2008.
  19. ^ Parker, Simon (29 April 2008). "Johnson one of 13 axed by City". Telegraph & Argus. Archived from the original on 11 November 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2008.
  20. ^ Reid, Paul (27 August 2008). "Weatherly back at Village for NPL season". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  21. ^ Reid, Paul (30 September 2008). "Village United hold Portmore at home". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 3 October 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
  22. ^ "Galaxy sign Jamaican 'keeper Ricketts". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008. [dead link‍]
  23. ^ Morgan, Larry (11 February 2009). "Ricketts angling to man Galaxy goal". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  24. ^ "Impact makes another major acquisition | Montreal Impact". Archived from the original on 24 October 2013.
  25. ^ "Timbers acquire goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts from Montreal in exchange for goalkeeper Troy Perkins | Portland Timbers". Archived from the original on 8 November 2014.
  26. ^ "One day after waiving Jaime Penedo, LA Galaxy acquire Donovan Ricketts in trade with Orlando City | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on 31 July 2015.
  27. ^ Lamport-Stokes, Mark (24 December 2008). "Soccer-Jamaica goalkeeper Ricketts signed by the Galaxy". Reuters. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
  28. ^ "FC Tulsa announces departure of Head Coach Michael Nsien". uslchampionship.com. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  29. ^ "Donovan Ricketts Named Carolina Core FC Head Coach". MLSNextPro.com. MLS Next Pro. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  30. ^ LA Galaxy Communications (28 January 2011). "goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts receives his Green Card". LA Galaxy. Archived from the original on 31 January 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
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