Dawyne Smith

Dawyne Ricky Smith (born 7 March 1988) is a Jamaican footballer.

Career

College and amateur

Smith spent all four years of his college career at Bethel University. In his four years at Bethel, Smith made 77 appearances and finished with 49 goals and 39 assists and was named to the All-American Team in 2011. Smith have also made the All American academic teams 3 years in a row from 2010–2012. Dubbed one of the greatest players to have played soccer at Bethel University (McKenzie, Smith was instrumental in the school's first ever hold on the NAIA National Championship in 2008 where he finished as the teams top Scorer and lead the TranSouth Division in assists.

The skilful Smith, bless with intelligence as much as he has talent completed his Bachelor of Business Administration at Bethel University with a double major in Business Management and Computer Information System with first class honours. Despite a hectic travel schedule and numerous travelling, Smith managed to cap almost every academic and soccer award at Bethel University when he graduated with his Masters of Arts in 2012.

Smith also spent time with the Reading Rage during the 2009 season while a student at Bethel and Arantes Football Club in New York as well as the New York Cosmos U23 Team.^[1]

For his commitment, Smith was added to the line up for the Paul Scholes testimonial match against Manchester United and the New York Cosmos.^[2]

Smith, in his final semester of completing his master's was drafted by the New England Revolution with the 3rd pick in the Supplemental draft to become the first soccer athlete in Bethel's History to have been drafted by an MLS club. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/J-can-Smith-drafted-by-Revolution-in-MLS_10632157 Still in school, Smith finished his master's and was signed by the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2011 where he spent 2 seasons.

Charity

Smith have volunteered repeatedly by coaching autistic children on Saturday mornings at the McKenzie little School. He has also hosted technical camps while at Reading United for younger children to teach the values of life through soccer involvement. While at Bethel Smith has been active in all the Teams charitable involvements by participating in the fund raisers as well as providing entertainment through his juggling skills and through motivational speeches.^[3]

Smith, along with his older brother Oneal Morrison, have continued to give back to their community of Cassava Piece in Kingston Jamaica through education by hosting evening classes for inner city individuals from age 9 upward. Their efforts were realised recently when communications giant Digicel awarded them the prize for extra ordinary Individuals for community development.^[4]

Smith has recently included his plans to fully launch his Charity to help inner city children get the proper education by offering technological support to inner city families as well as providing funding for at least 2 students to attend 6th form at his first Alma Mata Meadowbrook high school once the organisation is fully registered by fall 2014.

Professional

On 17 January 2012, Smith was drafted third overall in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft by the New England Revolution.^[5][6][7]

Smith joined USL Pro club Pittsburgh Riverhounds.^[8] On 18 May 2012, Smith made his debut for the Riverhounds and scored his first professional goal in a 1–1 draw against the Richmond Kickers. Smith was named to the USL Pro team of the week that same week.^[9]

Smith has been instrumental in the CopaNYC tournament for his team NYCJamaica and was named the tournament's top scorer in its inaugural year 2010 and then named the tournaments most outstanding player a year later.^[10] Smiths impressive form for the COPANYC led to his selection to play against Manchester City in 2010. Smith repaid his selection with a goal to level the game 1–1.^[11]

Seattle Sounders FC picked up Smith's MLS rights in the 2012 MLS Waiver Draft on 6 June 2012 as one of the brighter college prospects to fill a void the Sounders needed.^[12]

In 2013, Smith returned to Jamaica with Tivoli Gardens F.C.^[13] where they were placed second in the Flow Champions cup and then later won the Jackie Bell Knockout competition after a disappointing 5th-placed finish in the Red stripe premier league.

References