Emory University Men's Soccer Head Coach Sonny Travis has announced the addition of two-time Major League Soccer (MLS) Goalkeeper of the Year and former Jamaican National Team member, Donovan Ricketts, to the Eagles' staff as goalkeeper coach.
Ricketts joins the Emory coaching staff having played over 12 years professionally with four MLS clubs: Los Angeles Galaxy, Orlando City SC, Portland Timbers and Montreal Impact with other professional stints including England's Bradford City FC of League One and the Jamaican National Team (Reggae Boyz). While playing in the MLS, Ricketts was a two-time Goalkeeper of the Year selection while playing with the Galaxy (2010) and Timbers (2013) and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and 2013. In 2011, Ricketts was a member of the LA Galaxy's MLS Cup championship team that defeated the Houston Dynamo in the finals.
In addition to his MLS highlights, Ricketts served as team captain while receiving 100 caps with the Jamaican National Team, who were crowned winners of the Digicel Cup in 2008, and was part of Jamaica's only World Cup team at the 1998 competition in France. Prior to playing professionally, Ricketts also served as captain of the Jamaica U-23 and U-20 National teams.
"We are excited to have Donovan on our coaching staff," exclaimed Travis. "We are fortunate to have such a renowned goalkeeper on both the International and MLS level be part of the Emory Men's Soccer program. Our goalkeepers will greatly benefit from his vast knowledge and experience."
Emory is coming off its 15th consecutive winning season in 2015, finishing the campaign with a 9-6-2 overall record.