Golden Jaguars U20 Internationals and Fruta Conquerors rising stars Nicholas MacArthur and Raushan Ritch have secured pre-season trials with Caribbean giant and Jamaica first-division unit Portmore United.
This was confirmed by MacArthur during an exclusive interview yesterday with Stabroek Sport. According to MacArthur, the pre-season training stint and trial was secured following the intervention of a member of the Jamaica U20 team which scouted the duo during the 2018 Concacaf U20 event in Florida, USA.
“Raushan departed for Jamaica today [yesterday]. A coach who was a member of the Jamaica U20 staff saw us play in the 2018 Championship in Florida and had contacted us recently. He spoke to Rishaun and subsequently they contacted me.
I am leaving on Friday June 4th and I will be coming back until the 2nd of August which is more than two months in Jamaica.”
MacArthur acquired his first taste of senior football following appearances against Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica. He has also featured three times for the U17 setup, and has made seven appearances with the U20 programme. McArthur has also secured a three-year soccer scholarship at Chicago State University following the involvement of the Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy (ABSAA).
The wily attacker opined that the chance to conduct pre-season preparation with the Jamaica outfit presents the opportunity to train in a professional environment.
He added that Jamaica has also become a stepping stone to the bigger leagues, as it provides adequate exposure of talent.
He expounded, “I am going for a pre-season trial and then I will know if they will sign me or not, depending on how I perform at the pre-season training. This is a good opportunity, it’s a professional league and I have to go out and do my best. It’s good exposure, and different surroundings.
“It’s possible because we already have two there, Jamaica is a big stepping stone, players from Jamaica eventually go to the USL, MSL and even straight to England. I am grateful for this opportunity. I am grateful for any opportunity that comes. Everything will be taken care of by the team”, MacArthur added.
Portmore United Football Club is a Jamaica football team in the top flight Jamaica National Premier League. The club has won four (4) Premier League titles and also has teams in youth divisions, including Under 20, Under 17, Under 15, and Under 13. A number of players from these teams have been capped with their respective Jamaica national teams.
