Ryan Thompson (footballer)

Ryan Thompson (born 7 January 1985) is a Jamaican international footballer.

Career

Career

Harbour View

Ryan was the starting keeper at Harbour View until he accepted a soccer scholarship to the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida

College and Amateur

Thompson was an All-American during his time at the University of Tampa.^[1] He played 57 times for the Tampa Spartans whilst at the University.^[2]

During his time in college, Thompson also played for Bradenton Academics in the USL Premier Development League.^[3][4]

MPS Portland Phoenix

After graduating from the University of Tampa, Thompson signed with MPS Portland Phoenix in Maine for the 2010 PDL season. Thompson's Portland team finished runners-up in the Eastern Conference Northeast Division. Portland were beaten 2–1 against Reading United in the Conference Semi-Finals and were eliminated. Thompson played 13 games for the Phoenix in his one season with the Maine club.

Shamrock Rovers

After a two-week trial in September 2010, Thompson signed with Shamrock Rovers in December 2010. The deal was finalized in February 2011 after he received his international clearance.^[5] Thompson spent much of the first half of the season on the bench as he was Rovers second choice keeper behind Alan Mannus. In March 2011, Thompson played in both legs of the Quarter-Finals of the 2011 Setanta Sports Cup for Rovers against Lisburn Distillery, Rovers went on to win the competition. Thompson played his first league game for Shamrock Rovers in a 1–0 win away against Dorgheda United on 15 July 2011. On 21 July, Alan Mannus signed for Scottish Premier League club St Johnstone which meant Thompson became Rovers new first choice goalkeeper.

On 27 July 2011, he became the first Jamaican to play in the Champions League, when Shamrock Rovers played FC Copenhagen in the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round, Rovers were beaten 1–0 in the first-leg in Copenhagen and lost 2–0 in the second-leg in Tallaght on 2 August. Thompson and Rovers advanced to the 2011–12 Europa League play-off round where they faced Serbian SuperLiga Champions FK Partizan. The first leg in Dublin finished 1–1. The second leg in Serbia finished 1–1 and the tie went to extra time. Rovers scored a penalty in the 113 minute of the game and advanced to the 2011–12 Europa League group stage. In that game in Belgrade Thompson pulled off an incredible save in the first half. This marked a famous victory for Irish football, as it was the first time an Irish club reached the group stages of a major European competition.

In the first game in the group stages Thompson saved a penalty against Rubin Kazan.^[6] He went on to play in 3 other group games but despite his European heroics he was released at the end of the 2011 League of Ireland season.

Vasby United

In August 2012 Thompson signed for Vasby United, a third tier club in Sweden ^[7]

Tampa Bay Rowdies

In January 2014 Thompson signed for Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League on a two year contract ^[8]

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Thompson signed for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL on 22 January 2015.^[9] Thompson and the Riverhounds mutually parted ways in the offseason so that he could pursue a contract in Europe or Major League Soccer following his performances at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.^[10]

International career

Thompson was a part of the Jamaica under-20 squad in 2002-2005. He traveled internationally to Europe, Central America and the Caribbean for youth national teams. He made his full international debut on 26 November 2004 in a 2005 Caribbean Cup qualifier in an 11–1 victory over the US Virgin Islands.^[11]

Thompson was called up in 2014 as part of the squad for the 2014 Caribbean Cup and multiple friendlies but was an unused substitute in every match.^[12] Thompson was recalled by Jamaica in March 2015 for friendlies against Cuba and Venezuela.^[13] Thompson opted to remain with his club team, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, in order to play in their first match of the 2015 USL season. Thompson left the following day to join his teammates in preparation for the match against Cuba.^[14] Thompson went on to earn his third cap in that match and posted the shutout in the 3−0 victory.^[12]

On 2 June 2015, it was announced that Thompson was included in Jamaica's roster for the 2015 Copa América.^[15] He was then named to the final 23-man roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.^[16] On 14 July 2015, Thompson made his Gold Cup debut against El Salvador after Dwayne Miller came off with a head injury. Thompson made several saves to preserve Jamaica's 1–0 victory as the team advanced to the knockout stages as Group B leaders.^[17]

Honours

Harbour View

• CFU Club Championship: 1
  • 2004

Shamrock Rovers

• Setanta Cup: 1
  • 2011
• League of Ireland: 1
  • 2011

References

External links

Jamaica squads Jamaica squad – 2015 Copa América 1 Kerr 2 Gordon 3 Hector 4 Morgan 5 Laing 6 Brown 7 Parkes 8 Gray 9 Barnes 10 McAnuff 11 Mattocks 12 Miller 13 Williams 14 Ottey 15 Watson 16 Grant 17 Austin (c) 18 Dawkins 19 Mariappa 20 Lawrence 21 Taylor 22 McCleary 23 Thompson Coach: Schäfer Jamaica squad – 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Runners-up 1 Blake 2 Humphrey 3 Hector 4 Morgan 5 Powell 6 Laing 7 Clennon 8 Seaton 9 Barnes 10 McAnuff 11 Mattocks 12 Phillips 13 Miller 14 Ottey 15 Watson 16 Grant 17 Austin (c) 18 Dawkins 19 Mariappa 20 Lawrence 21 Taylor 22 McCleary 23 Thompson 24 Holness 25 McFarlane Coach: Schäfer