Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor
Onandi Lowe ... returning to football in the US with United Soccer League side Miami. - File
ONANDI LOWE is back in the professional leagues again.
The 32-year-old Portmore United striker has signed a 10-month loan deal with Miami Football Club, a new franchise in the United Soccer League (USL) which was once known as the United States A League.
"This is a great opportunity for me to continue my professional football career," said Lowe. "I'm excited with the prospect of
playing with Miami FC in its inaugural season in USL first division."
EXCEPTIONAL TALENT
Asked to comment on the deal, Portmore United director Horace Reid, the former Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary, told The Gleaner in a telephone interview: "It is for 10 months, one full season.
"Onandi is an exceptional talent and I'm not the least surprised that this opportunity has come his way. He still has what it takes to play at the highest level of international football."
Reid added: "The directors of Portmore United are indeed pleased with Onandi's progress in his short stint with the club and also the fact that we could play our part in the continued development of his professional football career. We look forward to further collaboration with Miami FC in the very near future."
FORMER US STINTS
A Reggae Boy on the historic France '98 team that led Jamaica to its first World Cup qualification, Lowe, with more than 60 caps, formerly played in the United States at that level for Rochester Rhinos where he was a stand-out alongside fellow national Linval 'Rudy' Dixon, then moved up to the top-most American league Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Kansas City Wizards in 2001. During that season the towering Jamaican forward tallied four goals and three assists in 13 matches.
His successes there set him up for a higher calling to the professional leagues in Britain where he led the promotion of Rushden and Diamonds from then Division Three to Two, before moving on to Port Vale and ultimately Coventry City.
However, the striker was soon charged for possession of cocaine and Coventry City ended his contract.
Thereafter, a court battle ensued and the Jamaican striker successfully defended his innocence.
RETURNED TO JAMAICA
Lowe returned to Jamaica and played briefly in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League with his one-time club Arnett Gardens, before joining league champions Portmore United in the current 2005-06 season in what appeared a surprise move as he appeared set to join another of his former Jamaican teams, Waterhouse, with whom he had been training.
That quick switch seemed to have been influenced by former JFF president Captain Horace Burrell, whom Lowe specifically mentioned in a big way for his resurgence. Burrell, a Caribbean Football Union vice-president and FIFA executive, actually paid Lowe's salary for him to play with Portmore United.
THANKS BURRELL
"I must thank my sponsor in Jamaica, Captain Horace Burrell, for his belief in me as a person and a professional football player," noted Lowe. "He came to my assistance at a most crucial stage of my life."
It must be pointed out though that in Lowe's earlier matches at Portmore United following what had been close to a 10-month lay-off from competitive action he had not been scoring and was relegated to the bench.
His form in recent times though has been impressive with six goals in his past four matches (in all competitions), which suggests a return to form that would have played a role in this current deal.
Lowe, a towering 6'3" utility player who hails from the east Kingston community of Rockfort, also paid due to his club.
"Many thanks also to Portmore United for allowing me the opportunity to parade my talent for the club, thus facilitating this latest opportunity with Miami FC," he said. "I will certainly play my part in bringing the 2006 USL division one championship and the US Open Cup to the City of Miami."
Besides Lowe, three other players were signed by the Miami franchise on Thursday.
Lowe is expected to play when the team hosts its first regular season USL first division home match against the Montreal Impact on Sunday, April 23.
