With 133 goals, Kei Kamara is the fourth-best scorer in MLS, tied with Jaime Moreno. And when you look at his history you think he worked hard to become an MLS legend.
The striker, who joined CF Montreal in the winter, arrived in the United States in the early 2000s after spending two years in The Gambia as the civil war raged in Sierra Leone, where he is from.
“My mother left when I was six and I came to her when I was 16. »
The family settled in Hawthorne, a suburb of Los Angeles. It’s not an easy environment, but it will define the man who will become Kamara.
intimidation
Leaving Africa to settle in California at 16 isn’t easy, and Kamara confirms it.
“It was difficult to adapt, especially at school. I’ve made friends, but I’ve been bullied because I’m African and have an accent. »
Also, the situation in Sierra Leone made him miss a lot at school, so he had to catch up. The general conditions were therefore not ideal and through sport he got out of the difficulties and began to integrate.
“When I was being bullied I often found myself in battles and that’s how I got involved in the sport. I played volleyball, I do track and field and cross country skiing, and in my last two years of high school I really got into soccer, even though I played in Sierra Leone. »
Close to the pros
Kamara’s story seems almost straight out of a script. After all, he lived there about twenty kilometers from Hollywood.
“When I was young I worked at the Marriott in Torrance, where all the MLS teams stayed. »
Because it should be noted that Hawthorne and Torrance are only a few miles from Carson, where Los Angeles Galaxy Stadium is located.
After graduating from high school, he was accepted at Dominguez Hills State University. It’s in Carson, and what’s that in the middle of the athletic facilities on campus? Galaxy Stadium, then named Home Depot Stadium.
He then finds himself in a second division football program, knowing that unless you play in the NCAA’s top league, it’s difficult to make MLS.
even closer
His choice isn’t insignificant as he then lands a job at the Home Depot Center.
This gave him the opportunity to be noticed by Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid, who sometimes invited him to train with the team. Chivas USA also played at the same venue and Bob Bradley offered the same invitation to Kamara.
It was a dream that kept Kei Kamara stuck in school and hoping to turn pro.
“I saw the Home Depot Center every day and the young players training and I thought I could do it. I’m glad I achieved this goal. »
Kamara was eventually drafted by the Columbus Crew in 2006 in the first round in ninth place. And who was the new head coach of the crew this year? Sigi Schmid.
Like what the likeable striker was to play under the directions of whoever gave him a place when he was just a young man beginning to dream.