GORDON WILLIAMS, Star Writer

Donovan Ricketts - File

UNITED STATES:

His two little fingers are crooked, bent in the middle at near right angles. Add that to a broken leg and other aches and pains and they point to Donovan Ricketts's time in the goalkeeping trenches.

Thirteen years have passed since he went to the 1998 World Cup as Jamaica's third string keeper, a wide-eyed 18-year-old with no hope to play in the big show. But when Ian Goodison was dropped from the 2011 Gold Cup squad, Ricketts, now with more than 80 national appearances, became the lone player from the "Road To France" campaign still with the national team.

"Wow,"' he declared after being reminded recently. "So I'm the last man standing."

Ricketts confessed he rarely reflects on France '98. The thought that so much time has raced by makes him uneasy.

"The more you think about that you just think that you're getting old," the 33-year-old said.

Age also reminds Ricketts, Jamaica's number one for several years now after succeeding Warren Barrett and Aaron Lawrence, who ranked ahead in '98, he has not been back to a World Cup finals since. Yet he believes he still has time to patch the gaping hole in his resume.

"I don't see it like time is running out," he argued. "It just serves as a motivation."

The man nicknamed "Tall P" understands the World Cup represents more than just taking the field. Jamaica fell in love - and in step - with the '98 Reggae Boyz. In France, the world joined in.

"While you're there, you're not really thinking about it," he explained. "But, looking back I don't think you can put words to the experience and the atmosphere and everything that took place around you."

Ricketts remembered being taken care of by Lawrence and Barrett, the current national goalkeeping coach who has known him since primary school. The pair helped the teen fit in. Today, he did the same for his understudies, like Dwayne Miller and Duwayne Kerr at the Gold Cup, often using humour as a tool.

"I feel like right now that's like my duty," Ricketts said, "to let the younger ones feel comfortable and let them know that we're not here to fight against each other. We're working for a bigger picture."

It's clear Ricketts is the lead lion in Jamaica's goalkeeper pride. His brilliant performance against the United States in Jamaica's losing Gold Cup quarter-final match on June 19 proves he earns the role. Yet number one or not, Ricketts is just grateful he's still around.

"He knows he is the man right now and he's very appreciative of that," said Barrett.

Barrett, Ricketts' predecesor, now goalkeeper coach - file

The trenches haven't always been pretty. Following a local club career at Wadadah and later Village United, Ricketts went to English team Bolton Wanderers in 2004. He never got first team play. Neither did he see action for New England Revolution of US Major League Soccer (MLS). He returned to England and joined lower division Bradford City, making over 100 appearances.

career roller coaster

But in 2008 Ricketts failed to secure a work permit and was forced to return to Village. Finally, he signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Last season he was voted best 'keeper in MLS.

The career roller coaster helped to improve Ricketts's game. He's grown up since 1998.

"I've developed this mental toughness, because mentally I've been through a lot," Ricketts explained. "A lot of things happened on and off the field and you still had to retain that focus, knowing that you're just waiting on one opportunity."

Now he must focus again - on another World Cup run. Jamaica's qualifying campaign begins in a few months and Theodore "Tappa" Whitmore is depending on Ricketts to be a leader. The coach has been positive signs.

"Nuff time we could invite Donovan to a lot of the (national) games and he said 'Tappa (give the others a chance)," Whitmore said.

"Donovan understands what is happening."

The one-time World Cup backup to the backup knows he is needed on the front line and doesn't plan to back away.

"It's a given," said Ricketts. "I've seen so much (leadership) is just natural."

He's certain the Boyz will follow.

"Everybody respects a 6' 5" man," Tall P said with a laugh.

Then he gets serious.

"They know that I've been around for a long time now," added Ricketts "If I'm gonna say something, it must be something that I've experienced, that I'm seeing from my position. So they'll listen."

On the road to the World Cup, Jamaica could use someone who has been there before. At this point, only Ricketts can make that claim. Among the Boyz, he's the last man standing.