Thompson’s beginning fuels his ambitions

Former national goalkeeper Ryan 'Gadda' Thompson is on a football journey that has taken him from the bowels of the impoverished community of Denham Town to being the goalkeeper coach of the United States of America (USA) at the recent Concacaf Gold Cup.

It is his humble beginning which helps to fuel his drive to succeed and fosters his appreciation and love for the sport, having been jeered by his peers at his first training session at Harbour View, which could have broken him mentally.

"I remember my humble beginnings in Jamaica when I got my first opportunity to train with Harbour View. I'm originally from Kingston, Denham Town to be exact, and my family didn't have a lot of resources. Growing up I did a lot of sports, like track and field and cricket.

"I remember my first training session when I showed up in church shoes and white shorts, and they laughed at me," Thompson recalled.

The experience triggered Thompson's desire to work harder, and he eventually earned a spot on Harbour Views's roster.

It was, however, his first overseas trip that strengthened his resolve to use football to erase the financial problems he was facing. It was a trek that charted the course of a professional career for Thompson.

"Harbour View gave me the first opportunity to travel to America. That changed my life. I remember saying, 'This game can bring me from Denham Town to America? Oh my God, I'm going to pursue this because I want to create a better life for my mother, grandmother and my entire family.' When I started getting better was when I fell in love with the game," Thompson said.

Clearing those hurdles in the early phases of his life allowed Thompson to represent Jamaica at the under-20, under-23 and earned him 11 caps with the senior Reggae Boyz, which he believes was another critical step in his life.

"Honestly, that was life-changing again, as you realise that it's not where it starts, but where the journey takes you. I couldn't have scripted this to say I would play for Jamaica. I just wanted to be part of a team, and I poured my heart and soul into every single moment on the field," he added.

According to Thompson, current Reggae Boyz custodian and former teammate Andre Blake epitomises him between the sticks.

"Right now, it's Andre Blake. We've been teammates for the longest while, and to see him come through a similar pathway as me and doing outstanding, shows that he's committed to the cause of making the programme better and inspiring youths in Jamaica," he reflected.

Thompson, as goalkeeper coach, helped the USA to the semi-finals of the recent Concacaf Gold Cup, where they lost 5-4 on penalties to Panama after the game ended 1-1.