1. Donovan Damon Ricketts was born on 7 June 1977 and is a Jamaican former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper and is currently the head coach for Carolina Core FC in MLS Next Pro.
27 Facts About Donovan Ricketts
1. 2.
Donovan Ricketts was the captain of the Jamaica national team, earning 100 caps for his country, until his retirement from international football in 2014.
3.
Donovan Ricketts attended Cornwall College where he played on the Dacosta Cup team.
4.
Donovan Ricketts attracted the attention of English clubs after an impressive performance for Jamaica against Brazil in a match played in Leicester in 2003.
5.
Donovan Ricketts never played a game at Bolton and instead moved to Bradford City initially on a year-long loan in July 2004.
6.
Donovan Ricketts spent most of his first season in English football as understudy to Australian Paul Henderson before he finally made his debut in April 2005 and played in the final four games.
7.
Donovan Ricketts regained his place against Port Vale, before he again missed a game in December 2005 after he was sent off for celebrating a City goal in a game at Southend United.
8.
Donovan Ricketts's run of games came to an end when he was dropped in October 2007 after a poor run of form.
9.
Donovan Ricketts was recalled for the game against Brentford on 3 November 2007 after Rhys Evans' loan was cut short by injury, playing the next 13 games.
10.
Donovan Ricketts attracted interest from Canadian side Toronto FC but he opted to join LA Galaxy on the advice of his international colleague Tyrone Marshall, who had played for both sides.
11.
Donovan Ricketts enjoyed a successful first season in Major League Soccer under Bruce Arena, leading the Galaxy to the Western Division title.
12.
Saunders filled in well, considering Donovan Ricketts started most of the games in the '09 season, but it was not enough to fend off Real Salt Lake, who won via penalties.
13.
In 2010, Donovan Ricketts was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
14.
Donovan Ricketts did not play most of the 2011 season due to injury, and was replaced by Saunders again while his team won the 2011 MLS Cup.
15.
Donovan Ricketts was protected in MLS Expansion Draft, necessitating a trade to acquire his services.
16.
On 7 August 2012, Donovan Ricketts was traded to the Portland Timbers for goalkeeper Troy Perkins.
17.
On 10 December 2014, Donovan Ricketts was chosen first by Orlando City SC in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft.
18.
Donovan Ricketts was traded by Orlando City back to LA Galaxy on 30 July 2015 in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
19.
Donovan Ricketts was released from the club on 7 December 2015.
20.
Donovan Ricketts has been a big part of the Reggae Boyz programme, dating back to the days of former Technical Director Rene Simoes.
21.
Donovan Ricketts has not only kept goal for Jamaica at the senior level, but has done it at various junior levels for his country.
22.
Donovan Ricketts came through the national ranks under the guidance of goalkeeping coach, Paul Campbell.
23.
Donovan Ricketts is a World Cup veteran, being named to the Jamaican squad that played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
24.
Donovan Ricketts represented Jamaica in all eight of their 2010 World Cup qualifying matches, where they were eliminated in the third round stage.
25.
On June 17,2022, Donovan Ricketts was named interim coach of Tulsa after the club parted ways with Michael Nsien.
26.
Donovan Ricketts was named head coach of MLS Next Pro side Carolina Core in October 2024.
27.
Donovan Ricketts received his US green card in 2011 which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.