Omar Gordon Relishing Huge Opportunity In Postseason With Indy Eleven
Photo credit: Indy Eleven/Trevor Ruszkowski
Before joining Indy Eleven, Omar Gordon had a difficult choice: compete in the Red Stripe Premier League final with Montego Bay United or head to Indy, on loan, to reunite with former coach Tim Hankinson.
Fast-forward since his April addition to the Boys in Blue and Gordon is now competing for another title, readying for the NASL’s four-team postseason tournament, The Championship.
“The choice I made, for me, was a great choice,” Gordon said. “I already won the league in Jamaica (2013-14 with Montego Bay United) and now I have the chance to win a league internationally. It was a great move for me and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to represent Indy Eleven going into a semifinal for a championship.
“It is a huge opportunity and even for my country and my club back home for me to come here and represent, and represent well.”
With Indy, Gordon, 25, has been aided by his previous working relationship with Hankinson, but also the Boys in Blue’s Jamaican contingent of Don Smart and Lovel Palmer that Gordon noted were like his brothers.
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“For the three of us, it’s like brothers – we look after each other because we’re Jamaicans and we want to see each other do well. It’s great to know that when you’re in a new environment and have two guys looking out for you to make sure you’re walking the right path. You’re not going to get that often and I’m very grateful for it. I’m happy I met them because they’ve helped me a lot during my time in Indy to make sure I’m focused and doing well and I appreciate their time.”
Gordon was the league’s top scorer while in Jamaica and, although he hasn’t hit the target as much in 2016, he’s been a dynamic part of the Indy attack, scoring twice with two assists. He’s also gotten the chance to learn from veteran forwards Eamon Zayed, Indy’s leading goalscorer with 15, and Justin Braun, who has eight goals on the year.
“When you see how they work and they are having so much success from doing that in the minutes they are playing and getting goals, it makes you see how you want to work,” Gordon said.
“I admire so much about Justin because he’s a hard worker and he moves well. Eamon, I admire his pace and timing around the box. You see players that are doing well in the department you play in and you want to apply that to your game.”
It’s been a fruitful spell for Gordon during his stay in Indianapolis. Gordon helped Indy clinch its first trophy in a memorable night at Carroll Stadium as the Eleven scored four times to ultimately claim the Spring Season Championship. Gordon had an assist on Zayed’s second of three goals on the night. With the Spring title, Indy will host a semifinal game on Nov. 5 against FC Edmonton.
“It’s always a great feeling to play at home,” Gordon said. “We have confidence because throughout the season we didn’t lose a home game. We just have to go out and do what we do best and get a result.”
On an international level, Gordon returned to the Jamaican national team fold, playing a part in the nation’s dramatic 4-2 win over Guyana in Caribbean Cup qualifying. The Reggae Boyz overturned an early two-goal deficit to win the game in extra time.
“Playing for Indy Eleven and being more out there, gave me the opportunity for my country to see I’m doing well in my career,” he said. “To represent for the national team again is a great feeling. It was great to know I’m back in the national program and I go and do my best so I’m always there.”
With the decision to join Indy, Gordon didn’t get to celebrate Montego Bay’s title, which the club earned after defeating Portmore United, 2-1. The forward, though, has the chance to still achieve the joy of winning the league during Indy’s first postseason run.
“It would mean everything to know I left Jamaica to come here and win the championship,” Gordon said. “I think for all of us that play for Indy Eleven and the past players that started the Indy Eleven foundation we wall deserve it for the season we’ve been playing and I think we deserve the championship.
“I know it would mean the world to me.”
