How would you describe your experiences so far playing with Jamaica?
It’s been pretty good so far. It’s taught me a lot, going over there, traveling every month or so, meeting new people. Basically being on my own, being in a new environment has just taught me how to handle things a lot better and be professional.
How would you compare your experiences playing for Rutgers with your experiences playing for Jamaica?
They’re both pretty good. When you’re playing international it’s always going to be better than any type of football you’re playing. Playing international is just a different level and different pace and it’s a great experience either way.
After your strong performance in the Trofeo Dossena tournament would you consider a career in Italy?
Yeah, definitely. I definitely want to play overseas, what football doesn’t? We’ll see after the season how things progress for me and go from there.
Are you considering turning pro in January or are you going to stay in school?
I’m not sure yet. I always want to keep my options open but we’ll see how the season goes and I’ll go from there.
If Jamaica and the U.S. both qualified for the Olympics and both called you up, which one would you choose (or can you not say right now)?
I don’t know, I’d love to play for both but I can’t. I’d have to see.
As told to theworm2345 on October 10th, 2009 after Rutgers vs DePaul, thanks to Yannick Salmon for the interview. If anyone wants the audio I can upload that eventually too. Thanks also to Metropolis for some of the questions.
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. (September 12, 2010) – The Rutgers men’s soccer team (1-1-1) picked up its first win of the season and the Dan Donigan era, defeating Saint Peter’s 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at Yurcak Field. Both teams battled under heavy rains and slippery field conditions with senior Yannick Salmon (Westbury, N.Y.) and junior Ibrahim Kamara (North Brunswick, N.J.) delivering one goal apiece for the Scarlet Knights.
“We’re pleased,” said Donigan of the 2-0 win. “It wasn’t a pretty game. Things got a little out of hand but I think that’s attributed to some things we couldn’t control. The conditions were tough but to come away with a 2-0 win against Saint Peter’s is good because they’re a talented and dangerous team. It’s tough for both teams to play in the rain and wet, sloppy conditions so we’re happy with the outcome.”
The first half of the contest began under a blanket of rain which influenced the early play for both squads, however, despite the wet footing; there were a fair number of opportunities in the opening period. Saint Peter’s held an 8-6 edge over Rutgers in first half shots.
The Scarlet Knights had a pair of solid chances in the first half, with the earliest coming in the 16th minute. Junior midfielder Nye Winslow (Piscataway, N.J.) found space on the wing and delivered a threatening cross into the penalty area but was unable to connect the pass to his teammates. RU responded shortly after in the 25th minute as Salmon played the ball ahead to junior forward Sam Archer (Queens, N.Y.) who took a shot which was saved by Saint Peter’s goalkeeper Carlos Suarez.
Rutgers found its decisive score in the 33rd minute on a play from Winslow which mimicked his attempt from earlier in the game. Winslow, again streaking down the right flank, played a cross into the box, this time finding Salmon from six yards out and the senior did the rest to give RU a 1-0 lead. Salmon timed a header perfectly that skipped across the ground past Suarez for his second goal in as many games.
“Yannick is the leader of this team,” said Donigan. “He’s an emotional leader, physical leader and a talented leader. We need him involved, getting his touches and controlling the tempo of the game. When he’s not, it makes it that much more difficult for us to impose the way we want to play on our opponents. “
Sunday’s match presented the Scarlet Knights with a challenge that they had not faced thus far in the early season, which was to play with a lead and maintain that advantage to secure the win.
“I think we did a great job [protecting the lead],” said Donigan. “Obviously we didn’t give up a whole lot and over the 90 minutes there are going to be things here and there, but for the most part I think we did a pretty good job. I think we showed a lot of resilience and effort to bounce back from another tough outing Friday against Delaware in a double overtime game. I’m very proud of our guys.”
Saint Peter’s continued to press throughout the second half, again outshooting the Scarlet Knights (12-6 in the second half), however Rutgers maintained its composure and focus defensively. RU benefited from solid play by junior goalkeeper Adam Klink (Chesapeake, Va.) who made four saves and earned the shutout in his first action of the season.
“I think he had a great presence in the box,” said Donigan of Klink’s performance. “He made a couple key saves and a couple key punches. He communicated well and he looked like he was alert and attentive the whole time and that’s what you need from the goalkeeper position.”
The Scarlet Knights put to rest any thoughts of an equalizer by Saint Peter’s with a goal in the 89th minute. As the Peacocks pushed for the game-tying goal, junior midfielder Robbie McLarney (Londonderry, N.H.) intercepted a pass and played it to Kamara who found himself one-on-one with the Saint Peter’s keeper. After a couple moves to create separation, Kamara calmly delivered a strike into the back of the net to help seal the 2-0 win.
Rutgers will continue it homestand on Friday, Sept. 17, when it hosts LIU at 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field
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The JFF needs to track this balla, he is rated as one of the top 70 college/university players in the USA.
He already has Jamaica youth national team experience at the u17 and u20 level. While only 20 years old, he is starting his fourth season of NCAA D1 soccer in one of the toughest conferences.
Is Salmon injured or something? I was never one who thought he was a special talent, but he did seem to be good player. However, I have seen him this season and the man seems completely off the pace. He can't get close enough to the midfielders to tackle them and when he does he is struggling to keep up when they change direction.
Watch some a the Game Clip fi get look at this Salmon kid. Really hard to rate him cause a di soggy field from all di rain. would a love fi see a clip of one his Mathes in normal conditions.
today the field was better still not at its best, but the highlight from today should give you a better look once it goes up... Rutgers is now unbeaten in their last four games
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why are you negative towards overseas based players i don't know if you mean to or not but you always seem to have something bad to say, let me say this it is because of people like you why talented jamaica youths chose not to represent your country and end up playing for countries like canada and the u.s.
This breddah real. LOL If him choose to not play for Jamaica cause one man ask if him injured and the next seh him need fi see him when the field is dry, then is better that player gwaan guh represent some other country.
Mi welcome ANY player to the Jamaican squad once them WANT to play for Jamaica and talented enough to hold them position.
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I can agree with only half of what you said and that's "Mi welcome ANY player to the Jamaican squad once them WANT to play for Jamaica and talented enough to hold them position." and i respect that but you shouldn't make assumptions, question or judge a player without even seeing them but i know you only want the best for your country so i cant fight with some of what your saying.
I don't make assumptions about players. Mi either see them play or see them stats. If I don't know about them, mi ask about them. When man nuh look like baller, mi will state it whether them come from yard or abraod. Is just like how from day 1 mi seh Mario Harrison never good enough for Jamaica youth team even though him was highly rated in Jamaican High school circles.
in the rain against St. Peter's he completed 15 passes in the first half and another 21 passes in the second half, so that makes 36 completed passes altogether and plus I think he attempted 45 for an 80% pass completion ratio
not to mention the 4 shots he took that game and also the goal he scored
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Vegas will always be Vegas. That won’t change. Las Vegas will be the market of markets for MLS.
If he is going to help us perform against the top junior teams in CONCACAF, he has a LONG way to go.
In the first half he didn't tackle anyone apart from the two fouls he committed. In the first half alone he turned over the ball (not countiing fouls) TEN times. His shooting, headin, passing ability is evident.
I mean as long as we can agree that we are looking for a better center mid who can actually pass and make good through balls and that passing is one of his strongest qualities
don't forget that there were also several through balls that he sent through to Ibrahim or Archer when they were offside also if you look at most of his turn overs you will see that they are because people pass him the ball once he is already surrounded
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Let us not get carried away.....Salmon is a good 20 year old NCAA balla but he needs at least nine(9) months in a fully professional environment before considering any senior team call-ups.
He does however possess a very intelligent footballing mind.
