GORDON WILLIAMS, Star Writer

A former England youth international with Jamaican roots is weighing the option of representing the Reggae Boyz.

Ryan Smith, an attacking 24-year-old winger with Sporting Kansas City (SKC), a United States-based Major League Soccer (MLS) club, said he has not ruled out playing for Jamaica, if the country desires his services.

"That's something I could look into in the future," Smith said recently from Kansas City, where he is recuperating from a preseason knee injury that forced him out of SKC's opening MLS fixture against Chivas USA on March 19.

"It's possible."

Smith traces his Jamaican connections to his late grandparents, Gordon and Doris Smith, who were from Montego Bay, St James. That makes him eligible to play for the Boyz since he has never represented England, where he was born, in official senior national team competition, sanctioned by FIFA, football's world governing body.

Smith's pedigree on the field stretches back to a 2003-2005 stint at Arsenal in England. While with the Gunners he played mainly in the club's youth system alongside current English Premier League stars Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Nicklas Bendtner and Abou Diaby. He represented Arsenal's first team in the Carling Cup knockout competition at age 16 and also played for England at the Under-20 level.

attached to several clubs

Since then, Smith has been attached to several English clubs, including Leicester, Derby County, Milwall, Southampton and Crystal Palace, before moving to SKC (then known as the Kansas City Wizards) last season, where he lists national player Shavar Thomas among his teammates.

Smith made an immediate impact at SKC, playing 2,104 minutes, scoring three goals and recording seven assists for the club in MLS 2010.

During the season, one US television commentator said of him: "Anytime you put this player a little bit more central, and get him the ball, he can cut you six ways to Sunday."

Thomas, a veteran of the Boyz, confirmed Smith is a dangerous player. He said currently Jamaica does not have a naturally left-sided player who carries Smith's total package of speed, skill and football intelligence.

"Not all that combination at once," Thomas said. "He's a very good player, very skilful. It would be very, very good for us (if he joined Jamaica). He would be adding someone who can help attacking-wise. Plus, he would help off the field as well."

Known for his quick dribbles and long-range shot, Smith has also caught the attention of the US national team. He qualifies to play for the US because his father is an American citizen.

"Now it's a tricky situation because the US wants me to represent them," Smith said.

Smith said the US contacted him through his club to express interest. However, he said he has received no word from the Jamaica Football Federation, although he believes it is unlikely the JFF is aware of his ties to the island.

"I don't think the Jamaican federation knows about my connection to Jamaica," Smith said.

However, he said any decision on a possible future international career will be on hold until he can get healthy enough to contribute at SKC.

"Right now, I'm just thinking about getting fit," Smith said.