Donovan Ricketts facts for kids
Ricketts with the LA Galaxy in 2010
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Donovan Ricketts | ||
| Date of birth | 7 June 1977 | ||
| Place of birth | Montego Bay, Jamaica | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1994–1997 | Wadadah | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1997–1998 | Wadadah | ||
| 1998–2001 | Seba United | ||
| 2001–2002 | Galaxy F.C. | ||
| 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) |
| National team | |||
| 1998–2014 | Jamaica | 100 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2016 | Emory Eagles (assistant) | ||
| 2017–2023 | FC Tulsa (assistant) | ||
| 2022 | FC Tulsa (interim) | ||
| 2024 | Carolina Core (goalkeeper coach) | ||
| 2025– | Carolina Core | ||
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Donovan Ricketts was born on June 7, 1977, in Jamaica. He is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Today, he is the head coach for Carolina Core FC in MLS Next Pro. Donovan played over 100 games for Bradford City in England. He also played more than 100 games in Major League Soccer (MLS). He was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year twice. Donovan was also the captain of the Jamaica national team. He played 100 games for his country before retiring from international football in 2014.
Contents
Club Career
Starting Out in Jamaica
Donovan Ricketts went to Cornwall College. There, he played on the Dacosta Cup team. After high school, he played for several teams in Jamaica. These included Wadadah, Seba United, Galaxy F.C., and Village United. In 2003, he played a great game for Jamaica against Brazil. This caught the eye of English clubs. In 2004, he signed with Bolton Wanderers, a team in England's top league.
Playing for Bradford City
Donovan didn't play any games for Bolton. Instead, he moved to Bradford City in July 2004. He first joined them on a one-year loan. For most of his first season, he was a backup goalkeeper. He finally played his first game in April 2005. He played in the last four games of that season.
After the season, he signed a permanent deal with Bradford City until 2007. In the 2005–06 season, he broke his foot and missed nine games. He got his spot back but was sent off in December 2005 for celebrating a goal too much. After his suspension, he played 80 league games in a row. This included every game in the 2006–07 season.
In October 2007, he was dropped from the team because he wasn't playing well. He returned to the team in November 2007. He played 13 more games. In January 2008, he hoped to move to Queens Park Rangers. But the move didn't happen because he couldn't get a work permit. After playing for Jamaica in March 2008, he was sent back to New York. This was because his paperwork was not correct. Bradford City was told he wouldn't get a new work permit. So, Donovan went back to Jamaica. At the end of the season, he was one of 13 players released by Bradford City.
Back to Jamaica
In August 2008, Donovan returned to his old team, Village United. He had been training with the Jamaican national team. In his first game back, he had to leave at halftime. He complained of double vision after being hit by the ball. The game ended in a 1–1 tie.
Success with LA Galaxy
On December 23, 2008, LA Galaxy announced they had signed Donovan Ricketts. He joined them for the 2009 Major League Soccer season. He chose LA Galaxy over another team, Toronto FC. His friend Tyrone Marshall advised him to join the Galaxy.
Donovan had a great first season in Major League Soccer. He helped the Galaxy win the Western Division title. His team made it to the 2009 MLS Cup Final. In that final game, he got injured and had to leave. His team lost the game in a penalty shootout. In 2010, Donovan was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. He missed most of the 2011 season due to injury. His team still won the 2011 MLS Cup that year.
Playing for Montreal and Portland
On November 28, 2011, the Montreal Impact got Donovan from the LA Galaxy. This happened through a special trade. On August 7, 2012, Donovan was traded again. He went to the Portland Timbers in exchange for another goalkeeper. He played his first game for Portland on August 15, 2012.
Later Career Teams
On December 10, 2014, Orlando City SC picked Donovan in a special draft. He was traded back to LA Galaxy on July 30, 2015. This was in exchange for a future draft pick. He left the club on December 7, 2015.
International Career
Donovan Ricketts played for the Jamaica national team, known as the Reggae Boyz. He was a big part of their program for many years. He played as a goalkeeper for Jamaica at different age levels.
On June 3, 2006, he was the captain for Jamaica. They played an international friendly game against England. Jamaica lost that game 6–0.
Donovan was part of the Jamaican team for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. However, he didn't get to play in any games. Other goalkeepers were ahead of him at that time. He also played in all eight of Jamaica's qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup.
Managerial Career
After he stopped playing football, Donovan Ricketts became a coach. In 2019, he joined the coaching staff of FC Tulsa. On June 17, 2022, he became the interim coach for FC Tulsa. This means he was temporarily in charge of the team.
In October 2024, Donovan was named the head coach of Carolina Core. This team plays in MLS Next Pro.
Personal Life
In 2011, Donovan Ricketts received his U.S. green card. This meant he was considered a local player for MLS teams.
Honors
LA Galaxy
- MLS Cup: 2011
- Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield: 2010, 2011
- Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship: 2009, 2011
Jamaica
- Caribbean Cup: 2005, 2008
Individual
- MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: 2010, 2013
- MLS Best XI: 2010, 2013
See also
In Spanish: Donovan Ricketts para niños
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
