The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Jamaican steals spotlight on opening

GORDON WILLIAMS, Contributor

Colorado Rapids' forward Omar Cummings (right) about to get in a tackle against Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder, Alvaro Pires Major, in League Soccer (MLS) action in Commerce City, Colorado on Saturday, March 29.

Rapids won 4-0. - AP

The pre-season hype predicted that a British or American star would shine. But it was a little-known Jamaican who commanded the spotlight on opening day 2008 of Major League Soccer in the United States last weekend.

Old Harbour native Omar Cummings scored one goal and earned his team a penalty that accounted for another as the Colorado Rapids blanked fancied Los Angeles Galaxy, led by internationals David Beckham of England and Landon Donovan, of the US.

According to the 25-year-old striker, now in his second MLS season, the widespread anticipation surrounding Beckham and Donovan, the MLS's highest-paid players, plus their teammate Carlos Ruiz, served as added motivation for the Rapids who were eager to establish a winning tone for the season.

"Definitely it was on my mind," said Cummings, who was fouled in the box at the hour mark and scored the Rapids' third goal in the 4-0 thrashing.

"Not to outshine Beckham, but for our team to show we could do it. On our team the names may not shine as much, but they were pushing those three, we were pushing 11 ... We wanted to stamp our class in the game."

Positive exposure

It's not that Cummings, who represented Old Harbour and Jonathan Grant in local high school football, is shying from the spotlight. He appreciates the worldwide attention a player like Beckham brings to the MLS, which can result in positive exposure for his team's performances.

"You never know who is watching," he said.

By that Cummings means other, larger clubs, perhaps from Europe. Yet he also wants to catch a particular pair of eyes in Jamaica - those of technical director René Simoes, who recently admitted he is still scouting players for the Reggae Boyz' World Cup qualifiers starting in June.

Cummings is hoping to parlay an impressive 2008 MLS campaign into a national call-up. He is banking on the success of the Rapids, which he wants to help drive through his own accomplishments. His personal target is to establish himself as a starter and score at least 12 goals. Everything else, he believes, will then fall into place.

Scoring goals

"It's a dream for any young player to play for your country," reasoned the former Duhaney Park and Rivoli player. "The World Cup is the biggest stage ever and you want to play at the highest level.

"But, in a sense, I am focusing on my team. If I keep scoring goals, (Simoes) will have to see me. I'm focusing on my team, get us winning and get on the score sheet. If I do that, they will see me."

In the last few years Cummings has shown steady progress towards being noticed. He left high school and club football in Jamaica to accept a scholarship in the US, seeking security from hardships that can befall players who fail to earn overseas professional contracts.

"The best move was to go to college," he said.

Cummings spent two years at Cincinnati State Community College before moving to University of Cincinnati (UC), where he led the team in scoring two years in a row. He was also voted UC's first ever first team All-American in 2006. UC, coached by Jamaican Hylton Dayes, also won its first Big East conference title in 2006.

The Rapids chose the 5' 10", 165 pounds Cummings in the third round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. But, following knee surgery, he entered his rookie season quietly. Cummings logged cameo appearances early, but his playing time gradually increased. He finished with two goals in 2007 in 11 appearances (182 minutes total), highlighted by a 90th minute winner against Chivas, USA. Cummings attributed his lukewarm first year to getting adapted to life as a pro. He was eager to fit in, but now believes he could have been more assertive.

"Going in you never know what to expect," he explained. "Last year I tried to learn as much as I could, but I felt I overdid that. I never really tried to show what I could do."

Cummings promises 2008 will be different.

"This year I'm still learning, but it's a shift in mentality," he said. "I'm focusing on stamping my class on the game, in the team."

Extra punch

The Rapids are anxious to see it. The club is not among the most prolific MLS scorers. The Jamaican's pair in 2007 placed him fourth highest on the team, which tallied 29 goals in 30 games. Cummings, who said he has "played everywhere attacking," hopes to add extra punch now that he is more comfortable.

He is not worried about fitting in with the national squad either, although Cummings has never represented the Boyz. But he knows several national players, and calls the Wolfe brothers - Rafei, Wolry and Kemeel - cousins who have been his neighbours and close friends since childhood.

"We've played (football) together forever," said Cummings, who lists his assets as speed, dribbling and running at defenders. "We lived almost in the same yard, separate houses. We helped each other improve ... We all grew up together."

Jamaica's playing style suits him fine too. As for becoming part of what Simoes calls the Reggae Boyz family, that, too, should be no problem.

"You try to work with whatever is asked by the coach," Cummings said.

The spotlight will take care of itself.

Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.