 
HAMILTON ISRAEL
RADIO SHOW
WED. 9-11.30pm
SAT. 6-9.30pm
102.3fm Miami
Listen Now
|
|
|
#61886 - 03/22/07 02:58 AM
LA academy drafts teen with Jamaican links
|
Jagga
Moderator
Registered: 06/08/99
Posts: 3239
|
Offline
|
|
LA academy drafts teen with Jamaican links
published: Thursday | March 22, 2007
Gordon Williams, Contributor
A TEENAGER with strong Jamaican links hasbecome the first player drafted into a new youth academy being launched by one of the top professional football clubs in the United States.
Sixteen-year-old forward Tristan Bowen, who was born in the U.S., but whose parents Vernal Bowen and Sophia Craig are from Kingston, was selected during open tryouts for about 800 players conducted last month by the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.
The teenager was one of three selected, but the other two, both over 18, were later released by the club too young to sign a professional contract with Galaxy, Bowen welcomed the start to what he is hoping will be a promising career.
"It's definitely something I want," Bowen, a long-time Galaxy fan, said.
The teenager is the first player to be included in Galaxy Rios (GR), which is set for official launch next month. It will begin with two-year development teams - GR Under-15 and GR Under-18 - starting next year.
The club's aim under GR is "to develop an elite group of players who we feel have the potential to become the next Landon Donovan or Cobi Jones," said Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas. He explained that GR's success will be measured by players who move on to the professional level.
Donovan and Jones have represented Galaxy and the U.S. many times, including multiple World Cups. Reggae Boyz utility player Tyrone Marshall has also been a stalwart for the club in recent years.
Test against older players
Because of his age, Galaxy said Bowen, who turned 16 in late January, should not have participated in the tryouts, organised for players 18 and over. Bowen said he was aware of the restriction, but needed to test himself.
"I just wanted to see how I would compete against the older guys," the teen explained.
Yet, he never doubted his own ability to excel against them.
"Because of my training, age is not a factor for me," Bowen said. "It's about skill."
He ended up impressing the Galaxy coaching staff.
"Tristan's a clever kid and he was somehow able tosneak into our open tryouts," said Lalas. "By the time we discovered he was only 16 years old he was already through to the final round.
"At the end of the day, our coaching staff thought he was the best player on the field," added the former defender, who got his first cap for the U.S. while current Jamaica technical director Bora Milutinovic was in charge of America's national team.
"That says a lot about his talent and his potential."
Bowen grew up in the Los Angeles area and began playing recreational football in 2000. He has represented local clubs in youth and adult leagues.
Bowen also played at Chatsworth High School with his brother Travis. Now the 5' 11" 165-pound player is being schooled at home to accommodate his football ambitions.
"It was the best decision to make," he explained. "To focus on my training and avoid distractions."
Although Bowen has never been to Jamaica, he said he watches the national team play "all the time". Yet, he did not commit to representing the Reggae Boyz in the future.
"I haven't thought about it," he said. "Anything can happen. I haven't ruled it out."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#93996 - 05/13/08 02:34 AM
Re: LA academy drafts teen with Jamaican links
[Re: Jagga]
|
jamatl
Member
Registered: 03/25/01
Posts: 5728
Loc: Miramar, FL, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Tristan Bowen has been recently called up to the US u18 national squad for a tour of Portugal. He is of Jamaican heritage but born and raised in Southern California.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94032 - 05/13/08 10:53 AM
Re: LA academy drafts teen with Jamaican links
[Re: jamatl]
|
Grinds
Member
Registered: 08/11/00
Posts: 804
Loc: Hartford, CT. USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Sorry to know he is in the U.S pocket, but he was born in Southern Cali. Not to discredit the yout, but there are got to be at least 15 jamaican boys his age awith his skills that can replace him. I wish him all the best but we have similar talents in JAMAICA.
Man I am so proud to see our flag waving at all these sporting events and hear in the background J_A_M_A_I_C_A!!!! There is NO OTHER feeling like that in the world. If he doesn't know it then its not his fault but his parents OR just him not really interested like that. Maybe, he should be at a Penn Relays atmosphere one year.......
_________________________
Give me half a chance and I'll make it one
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: Jagga, truetrini, jt, Princess
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
