Top local goalkeeper Ramon Sealy missed out on a spot at the annual Adidas Major League Soccer Combine but he enjoyed the chance to see what is needed to make it in the pros and will work harder to achieve his goals.
Sealy is the Cayman Islands national team and Bodden Town goalkeeper. He was one of 24 players from around the region invited to participate in the inaugural MLS/Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Combine for a three-day tryout at the Antigua Recreation Grounds in St. John’s, Antigua.
Players aged between 18 and 22, representing 16 Caribbean nations were selected for the trial. An invitation to the annual MLS Player Combine in Fort Lauderdale this weekend was the reward for two lucky players. Unfortunately, neither was Sealy.
However, he was told he performed well and received plenty of encouragement.
“It was a great experience and I can use it to better myself in preparation for future opportunities that may arise,” Sealy said.
He felt the organizers had already made their choice of keepers and were just casting their eyes over the two invited to the Combine.
“It was nevertheless a good experience for me. I learnt some new drills from the goalkeeping coaches and it was nice to play with guys of a good standard.”
Rather than disheartened, Sealy, 22, was inspired. He asked the coaches what he needed to do to improve and they said there was not a lot wrong with his game.
“I do know that I need to work more on the accuracy of my goal kicks and my shot handling could be better,” he said.
Now back in Grand Cayman full time after gaining his degree in Information Technology from the University of West Florida, Sealy is looking for work whilst still pursuing his football ambitions.
He will be between the sticks for Bodden Town for the rest of the season and hopes to get the opportunity for more tryouts, in the U.S. and possibly in England.
The wintry weather in the U.K. is notorious, far harsher than Sealy is used to. “I have never experienced it but I’m sure I could handle it,” he insisted.
He was one of 24 players from around the region invited to participate in the inaugural MLS/Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Combine for a three-day tryout at the Antigua Recreation Grounds in St. John’s, Antigua.
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