Donovan Ricketts facts for kids
Ricketts with the LA Galaxy in 2010
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Donovan Damon Ricketts | ||
| Date of birth | 7 June 1977 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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) |
| 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 Damon Ricketts (born on June 7, 1977) is a famous Jamaican former football player. He played as a goalkeeper. Today, he is the head coach for Carolina Core FC in MLS Next Pro.
Ricketts played over 100 games for Bradford City in England. He also played over 100 games in Major League Soccer (MLS). He was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year twice. He was also the captain of the Jamaica national team. He played 100 games for his country before retiring from international football in 2014.
Contents
Donovan Ricketts' Football Journey
Starting His Career in Jamaica
Donovan Ricketts went to Cornwall College in Jamaica. There, he played on the Dacosta Cup team. After high school, he played for several teams in Jamaica. These teams included Wadadah, Seba United, Galaxy F.C., and Village United.
In 2003, Ricketts played very well for Jamaica against Brazil. This game was in Leicester, England. His performance caught the eye of English football clubs. He tried out for another English team but did not join them. Instead, he signed with Bolton Wanderers in 2004. This team played in the English Premier League.
Playing for Bradford City
Ricketts did not play any games for Bolton Wanderers. In July 2004, he moved to Bradford City on a loan. He spent most of his first year as 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 two-year deal with Bradford City. In the 2005–06 season, he broke his foot and missed nine games. He returned to play against Port Vale. Later, he was sent off (removed from the game) for celebrating a goal too much. He came back to play 80 more league games. He played every game in the 2006–07 season.
In October 2007, he was dropped from the team because he was not playing well. He returned for a game in November 2007. He played the next 13 games. He was supposed to move to Queens Park Rangers in January. However, the move did not happen because he could not get a work permit.
In March 2008, Ricketts played for Jamaica. When he returned to England, immigration officials stopped him. He was sent back to New York because his paperwork was not correct. Bradford City was told he would not get a new work permit. Ricketts then went back to Jamaica to train. At the end of the season, Bradford City released him from his contract.
Coming Back to Jamaica
After leaving Bradford City, Ricketts trained with the Jamaican national team. In August 2008, he returned to his old team, Village United. He played only 45 minutes in his first game back. He had double vision after being hit by the ball. The game ended in a 1–1 tie.
Joining LA Galaxy
On December 23, 2008, LA Galaxy announced they had signed Ricketts. He joined them for the 2009 Major League Soccer season. He also had interest from Toronto FC. But he chose LA Galaxy because his friend Tyrone Marshall suggested it.
Ricketts had a great first season in MLS with coach Bruce Arena. He helped the Galaxy win the Western Division title. His team reached the 2009 MLS Cup Final. In that final game, he got injured and was replaced by Josh Saunders. The Galaxy lost the game in a penalty shootout. In 2010, Ricketts was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. He missed most of the 2011 season due to injury. His team won the 2011 MLS Cup that year.
Playing for Montreal Impact and Portland Timbers
On November 28, 2011, the Montreal Impact got Ricketts from the LA Galaxy. He played for Montreal Impact in 2012.
On August 7, 2012, Ricketts was traded to the Portland Timbers. He made his first appearance for them on August 15, 2012. The game was a 2–2 draw against Toronto FC.
Later Career in MLS
On December 10, 2014, Orlando City SC chose Ricketts first in the MLS Expansion Draft.
Orlando City traded Ricketts back to LA Galaxy on July 30, 2015. He was released from the club on December 7, 2015.
Playing for His Country: Jamaica
On June 3, 2006, Donovan Ricketts was the captain for Jamaica. They played an international friendly game against England at Old Trafford. Jamaica lost the game 6–0.
Ricketts was a very important part of the Jamaican national team, known as the "Reggae Boyz." He played for Jamaica at many different levels, from junior teams to the senior team. He learned a lot from his goalkeeping coach, Paul Campbell.
Ricketts was part of the Jamaican squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He was a World Cup veteran. However, he did not get to play in any games. Other goalkeepers, Warren Barrett and Aaron Lawrence, played instead.
Ricketts played in all eight of Jamaica's 2010 World Cup qualifying matches. Jamaica was eliminated in the third round of the qualifiers.
Becoming a Coach
After he stopped playing football, Ricketts started coaching. In 2019, he joined the coaching staff of FC Tulsa. On June 17, 2022, Ricketts became the interim coach for Tulsa. This happened after the club changed coaches.
In October 2024, Ricketts was named the head coach of Carolina Core FC. 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 domestic player for MLS teams.
Awards and Achievements
Team 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 Awards
- 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
