Palmer coming for extended trialPosted by Forever Orange on March 4, 2010 at 12:00pm
.We told you that there was more to come on the four trialists from Disney, and we do have an update! Jamaican midfielder Lovel Palmer, currently the captain of Harbour View and a Jamaica international, arrives in Houston tonight for another one-week look. He's likely to play in home scrimmages vs. Austin (Sunday, 1 p.m.) and the Chicago Fire (Thursday, 7 p.m.), and his status will be re-evaluated after that.
Lovel, of course, scored a heck of a goal for us against FC Dallas in the third place game of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic last week - take a look at the highlights. He's 25 years old, stands 5-foot-10 or 5-foot-11, and played in a defensive midfield spot for the Dynamo in Orlando.
In other news, a press conference scheduled for this afternoon had to be postponed due to some paperwork ... hopefully we'll be able to announce something next week.
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Great news for Lovell. Even though he has the work ethic and approach to fit in quickly, I had my doubts. Keep up the good work and hopefully it leads to a contract.
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Palmer coming for extended trial Posted by Forever Orange on March 4, 2010 at 12:00pm View Forever Orange's blog We told you that there was more to come on the four trialists from Disney, and we do have an update! Jamaican midfielder Lovel Palmer, currently the captain of Harbour View and a Jamaica international, arrives in Houston tonight for another one-week look. He's likely to play in home scrimmages vs. Austin (Sunday, 1 p.m.) and the Chicago Fire (Thursday, 7 p.m.), and his status will be re-evaluated after that.
Lovel, of course, scored a heck of a goal for us against FC Dallas in the third place game of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic last week - take a look at the highlights. He's 25 years old, stands 5-foot-10 or 5-foot-11, and played in a defensive midfield spot for the Dynamo in Orlando.
In other news, a press conference scheduled for this afternoon had to be postponed due to some paperwork ... hopefully we'll be able to announce something next week
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Palmer hopes to stick with Dynamo Midfielder impressed in Orlando, hopes to earn permanent deal 03/05/2010 6:22 PMBy Jonathan Yardley / HoustonDynamo.com
Lovel Palmer hopes to play well enough to make the cut for the Dynamo. (Houston Dynamo) RelatedRead more on MyDynamo.net Buy Houston Dynamo tickets Lovel Palmer has passed the first test, but bigger challenges lie in store if he is to step into the Houston Dynamo's midfield. Palmer was in Houston on Friday, training on the first day of a second one-week trial with the club. His play during the first trial, including a spectacular long-range goal against FC Dallas on February 27, earned him the callback ahead of several other trialists.
"He obviously scored a great goal that stood out, but it was also the way he worked on and off the ball," Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. "He tried to get on the ball, he broke up plays, and he tackled - sometimes very hard - which we like in that position. He was clean with the ball and made good decisions."
Palmer, 25, is under contract with Jamaican club Harbour View, where he is team captain, but the Premier League Clubs Association in Jamaica is looking to sell players to Major League Soccer to raise money, and Palmer may have found a good fit.
"I'm very happy that I was chosen to come here," Palmer said. "The Houston Dynamo is one of the most successful teams in MLS, so I'm very happy. I've been following the league for a long time. I know the Dynamo are one of the best teams in the league and have been one of the most successful."
Palmer's familiarity with the league comes in part due to the presence of countrymen and national teammates like the New York Red Bulls' Dane Richards, formerly of San Jacinto Junior College in the Houston area, the Philadelphia Union's Shavar Thomas, and former MLS Rookie of the Year Damani Ralph, but he also keeps a close eye on the entire region.
"A lot of Jamaican and Caribbean players are here, so I follow the league because I have a lot of friends that play in the MLS, and I think it's an excellent league," Palmer said. "I also know about Brian Ching, who plays for the United States national team and also the Dynamo. He's an excellent player who I've been watching for a long time."
The Dynamo are looking at Palmer, who has made 12 international appearances for Jamaica, most recently suiting up against Argentina, to fill the defensive midfield spot vacated by the offseason departure of Ricardo Clark to Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany. If his goal against Dallas and his shooting in Friday's training session are any indication, Palmer might be able to provide more scoring punch than Clark, whose long-range efforts were often hit-or-miss.
In Orlando, Palmer played as the most defensive of a midfield trio in a 3-5-2 formation, but the Dynamo expect to use their tried-and-tested 4-4-2 formation most of the year, so Kinnear wants a slightly longer look at Palmer.
"It was important that he be here for the Chicago game, since that's another MLS team, to see how he plays against them," Kinnear said. "He did pretty well against New York and Dallas, but it's a different formation - we'll probably go back to our 4-4-2 - so we want to see how he handles that, and we want to see how he mixes in with the locker room. I think he's done well so far."
For his part, Palmer said he has received a warm welcome from players and staff, and that has allowed him to perform well on the field, where he believes he can make an impact.
"They made me feel comfortable, so I could execute and play," Palmer said. "I think I can help in central midfield - the coach is saying I'm quick, so I can move and tackle, and I have some goal-scoring ability, as you saw in the game against Dallas. I think I'm a good asset to the team. If they sign me, they won't regret it."
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Palmer on second trial stint at Houston Dynamo
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer staff reporter
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Jamaica's utility player Lovel Palmer is back at USA Major League club Houston Dynamo for his second trial stint after impressing during the first, in which he scored a 35-metre screamer against FC Dallas.
Recently, Palmer, the former Harbour View captain, as well as Tivoli Gardens' striker Navion Boyd went on a one-week trial alongside several players from other countries before both returned home last week.
PALMER... is tipped to fill the defensive midfield spot vacated by the offseason departure of American international Ricardo Clark PALMER... is tipped to fill the defensive midfield spot vacated by the offseason departure of American international Ricardo Clark 1/1
Clyde Jureidini, general manager at Harbour View, did confirm to the Observer that Palmer left the island last Thursday for Houston Dynamo, but was unwilling to provide any other information.
However, a check on the Houston Dynamo's website revealed stories, videos and pictures of Palmer in action last Friday.
Palmer, 25, the brother of World Championships 100m hurdles champion Brigitte Foster-Hylton, earned a second trial stint after impressing in a holding midfield role in a 3-5-2 formation, but it is understood that head coach Dominic Kinnear wanted to look at him again in a 4-4-2 formation.
"He obviously scored a great goal that stood out, but it was also the way he worked on and off the ball," coach Kinnear was quoted on the club website as saying.
"He tried to get on the ball, he broke up plays, and he tackled -- sometimes very hard -- which we like in that position. He was clean with the ball and made good decisions."
Palmer returned and began training with the club last Friday and is expected to play in another friendly against Chicago Fire on Thursday.
"It was important that he be here for the Chicago game, since that's another MLS team, to see how he plays against them," Kinnear said. "He did pretty well against New York and Dallas, but it's a different formation -- we'll probably go back to our 4-4-2 -- so we want to see how he handles that, and we want to see how he mixes in with the locker room. I think he's done well so far."
Palmer is tipped to fill the defensive midfield spot vacated by the offseason departure of American international Ricardo Clark to Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.
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Saw Palmer tonight in the Dynamo-Chicago game, the game ended 1-1 with Palmer playing the full game. He seems very discipline in the defensive midfield role, he doesnt give the ball away and he tackles really hard. He looked better as the game progress and got his only shot at goal in the 86th minute after Chicago was reduced to 9 men, it was wide and high. Took a precision corner from which the dynamo should have scored. He has good communication with the centerbacks. I think the kid might find a place in the squad and will definately improve with time especially on offensive set pieces where he seems lost as a trialist and constantly looked to the bench for instructions. When Ching and Davis get back in the side and the offensive comes up the middle, we should have a better assessment but as is, he should get a pass.
Palmer offered contract - source Published: Saturday | March 13, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions Palmer
Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer
The Gleaner has been reliably informed that national representative Lovel Palmer has been offered a contract by Houston Dynamo, to represent them in the US Major League Soccer next season.
However, the source pointed out that terms of the contract are still being finalised between the Dynamo and Palmer's local team, Harbour View Football Club (HVFC).
Palmer, who is on his second trial stint with the Texan team, played his final trial game against Chicago Fire on Thursday, which ended 1-1.
Two-week trial stint
The versatile Palmer, along with Tivoli Gardens striker Navion Boyd, went on a two-week trial stint at the club in late February.
However, last week Palmer was asked to return for a second trial, after impressing the Dynamo's coaching staff in his previous stint.
The 25-year-old Palmer has played on the national senior team on 12 occasions, the last of which was a 2-1 defeat against South American powerhouse Argentina in Mar del Plata last month.
Scored three goals
A former St Elizabeth Technical High School daCosta Cup standout, Palmer has so far scored three goals in the Digicel Premier League this season. When contacted yesterday, Clyde Jureidini, general manager of HVFC, said he was aware that the Dynamo are interested in Palmer, but was unaware if a contract had been offered.
A representative of the Texas based-club, who requested anonymity, told The Gleaner that the coaching staff was very impressed with Palmer's performance during his trial.
"He played last night (Thursday) and he played great, and with a few games like that he would definitely be on our team," he said.
"He has been playing well since he arrived here, and I am pretty sure the coaches like what they saw of him."
Edited by jamatl (03/16/1005:35 AM)
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This is real tricky because Houston just brought Adrian Serioux back to fill Ricardo Clark's spot. Serioux is a midfielder/defender like Clark and Lovell Palmer. * Serioux also takes a "senior international" spot.
Quote:
Adrian Serioux Re-Joins Houston Dynamo The Canadian finds himself back in Houston. By Zac Lee Rigg Mar 13, 2010
In the last game Adrian Serioux played for Houston, the Dynamo won the 2006 MLS Cup against the New England Revolution.
Houston hopes the Canadian international defender will bring similar luck to his second stint with the Texan club.
A third round draft pick in 2011 was enough to pry him away from Toronto FC, where he landed after two years with FC Dallas.
The 30-year-old will occupy an international spot.
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I think Lovel has been offered a contract but a transfer/loan fee needs to be agreed on plus the possible MLS strike makes things a bit tricky. I think Palmer could possibly finish out the DPL season.
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HVFC peruse Houston deal
Harbour View Football Club (HVFC) executives are analysing a contract proposal from United States Major League Soccer outfit, Houston Dynamo, for their influential midfielder, Lovel Palmer.
"They've sent the paperwork," HVFC general manager Clyde Jureidini said yesterday.
"They (Houston Dynamo) have been expressing an interest to offer him a contract. So we're going through the procedures internally and with our lawyers and we'll respond to them within the next 48 hours," Jureidini explained.
Palmer, a versatile player who easily doubles as a midfielder or defender, has been on trial stints with the Texas-based club in the last three weeks.
First, the national player and fellow Reggae Boy, striker Navion Boyd who represents Tivoli Gardens, had been invited to try out with Houston while the team held a preseason training camp in Florida.
Within a week of their return, Houston showed further interest in Palmer by inviting him for a second trial.
Reports, as well as information gleaned from a source at the club who requested anonymity from this newspaper, indicate that Palmer continued to perform at the standards desired by the Texan club.
With regard to the terms being offered, Jureidini pointed out that "we can't say anything official until the deal is done".
The 25-year-old Palmer is a St Elizabeth Technical High School past student, who has been at HVFC for 10 years and led the team's scoring at the start of the season.
He last represented the east Kingston club in Sunday's top-of-the-table Digicel Premier League showdown against Tivoli Gardens. Both teams started the game locked atop the 12-team standings on 57 points, but Harbour View's 2-0 win gave them sole leadership of the championship on 60 points, with eight rounds remaining.
Starting role
Palmer has represented the Reggae Boyz on 12 occasions, the last against South American giants Argentina in Mar del Plata on Wednesday, February 10.
Playing from the wide-right midfield position and in a starting role, Palmer actually supplied the assist on Jamaica's goal in that match, with a cross from the flank that was headed into the goal by Ryan Johnson.
Jamaica lost the match 2-1 after conceding an equaliser at the 86th minute and another goal in the fourth minute of time added. Both goals were scored when Palmer had been substituted.
