DC UrbanSports caught up with Loudoun United FC goalie Jermaine Fordah ahead of Tuesday night’s match against the New York Red Bulls.
The England native, by way of Nigeria, explained his tenacity and the long process it took to finally land a soccer home with Loudoun FC.
A player of the game since the age of 13, Fordah has played in England, South Africa, Texas and Canada.
"And that's the short version", said Fordah. "Because the long version could take about two to three hours", he said.
Fordah was acquired in 2019 along with three other players, including side winger Darluis Paz, midfielder Barakatulla Sharifi and Nanan Houssou.
The team hosts their home games at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia and is coached by Ryan Martin.
Said Martin of Fordah, “Jermaine will add some important experience and depth at goalkeeper for Loudoun United this season. He has played at a variety of professional levels during his career and we’re looking forward to adding his leadership to the roster.”
The team fell 2-1 against the Red Bulls (Fordah’s former team) in their first home game of the season.
You can follow Fordah on IG (Instagram) at Jay_Fordah. (Side note: Two handles we'd recommend for Jermaine Fordah would be #followfordah and #fordahwin (for da win).)
Fordah told DC UrbanSports that he studied journalism and one day hopes to become a sports broadcaster.
Loudoun United FC
was founded in 2018 as a D.C. United
reserve team.
The team’s next contest is May 29th with New Mexico United.
Noteworthy: Soccer’s continuing inhumanity.
It is no secret that there is a sect of people, claiming to
be fans of the game of soccer, who continue to dehumanize soccer players of
color. Such a sect reared their ugly heads during the Loudoun United v Red Bulls
game Tuesday night.
/// See: Taking a look in the Mirror. ///
It was reported that a group of Loudoun ‘supporters’ made ‘monkey-like’ noises to a Red Bulls player.
LUFC claims they are aware of the issue. As of this article’s publishing, the team has given no indication on how they plan to address inappropriate fan behavior towards players. (There is no doubt that they definitely need to, and should.)
Athletes should be able to play the game they love without
facing racist jeers directed towards them.
We'll watch and see if Loudoun United is ‘united’ in taking a stand against racism.
Related: Is racism in soccer, worse now than ever?
**Update** Team issues a statement, May 28th, after investigation into rude fan behavior.
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