‘I also created my own lane’

AFTER MORE than 50 appearances for the senior men’s national team, Damion Lowe has become a staple in the Reggae Boyz team.

But his career as an international was not so clear-cut and the 31-year-old is currently in preparation mode for the upcoming Copa America and while speaking on ‘The Cut’ YouTube podcast, Lowe revealed that after his Manning Cup days had ended with Camperdown, he was on the lookout for opportunities overseas.

“I said ‘Daddy (Onandi Lowe) the resources in Jamaica will not allow me to be as good as I want to be. I’m always in the shadows. There’s always players above me and I’m not able to make the jump.’ I knew I had the potential, I then spoke with Ludlow Bernard from Harbour View and he said ‘I have an opportunity for you to go to Toronto FC in the academy’ and I took it,” he stated.

OPPORTUNITY

Lowe said he made good use of the opportunity which resulted in him being drafted eighth overall in the 2014 Major League Soccer (MLS) draft by the Seattle Sounders FC. The tough-tackling defender added that he’s now pleased to have carved out a name for himself on the football pitch.

“I went to Hartford FC, did well, was drafted in the top 10 and got my first professional contract. Especially in the media, people use to say son of Onandi Lowe, now no one is saying that anymore. Now, they’re saying Damion Lowe. I had to change it as now I feel prouder. While I followed my father’s legacy, I also created my own lane,” said Lowe.

The Reggae Boyz recently kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with two victories in as many games – a one-nil victory over the Dominican Republic and a 3-2 win over Dominica.

Lowe firmly believes that the team has all the tools to make it to the World Cup.

“We are very confident as I feel the nation needs it. I feel like the team we have right now with the players playing English Premier League, we can do it. Once we get to the World Cup, the sky is the limit. My father played in 1998, so I believe I have to do it also.”