US midfielder Lundy pledges to excite Pro League

The 23-year-old Lundy, yet to make his mark anywhere professionally, said, “I can bring some excitement and something that people aren’t accustomed to seeing on a regular basis.

“I think my skills set is with my distribution and creating chances to go to goal—my vision—that’s definitely apart from players down here.”

Lundy is a former teammate of TT and recently signed Central FC midfielder Sean de Silva at the College of Charleston, where his father Ralph Lundy II, continues to serve as the long-standing and very successful coach, isn’t a stranger to the twin-island.

Unknown to most, Lundy has very close ties to TT. Ever since his junior years he would frequently visit Tobago – the island of his parents’ honeymoon – where he would train under his father’s friend and former TT coach, Bertille St Clair, at the Bertille St Clair Coaching School.

St Clair and present TT technical director Anton Corneal both served Lundy’s father’s at his Ralph Lundy Soccer Academy Summer Camp in the past, and well before that, Corneal and Kestor Lendor, president of Super League club Real Maracas, both played under Ralph Lundy II while attending Erskine College and College of Charleston, respectively.

“Literally (St Clair) raised me in soccer and I have to credit him a lot in terms of my soccer. Both him and Anton Corneal had a massive role in my soccer development,” said Lundy III.

Years later, and out of college, Lundy joined United Soccer League (USL) Professional Division side Charleston Battery on trial during the 2013 pre-season and unluckily suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). He was side-lined for seven months following surgery, and today credits Greg Banks, athletics trainer for the US Women’s team and US Soccer Federation, for his successful recovery.

Lundy arrived in Trinidad last November on the invitation of Real Maracas’ Lendor, but explained, “I got the opportunity to train with Caledonia and coach Jamaal (Shabazz) thought I can make a difference in his team.”

“He would certainly add some colour to the team,” said the riveting Shabazz. “His ability to play the ball to the back of defences is something that we need in the team. And for him to choose to play with us, has humbled us tremendously… that Caledonia could attract players of different races. Who knows… very soon the nephew of Sat Maharaj—the secretary general of the major Hindu organisation in TT the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha—will come to our team.”

Shabazz in his efforts to inject new blood – a rebuilding attempt – in a team that is suffering the effects of wear-and-tear have included midfielders Jameel “Shooter” Neptune (aged 20), Guyanese Pernell Schultz (19), Dylon King (20), Vincentian Nical Stephens (21); St Lucian defender Otev Lawrence (17); and forwards St Lucian Lester Joseph (20), Grenadian Denron Frederick, 24, and veteran Conrod Smith returning from a short stint at St Ann’s Rangers.

Jamaican goalkeeper Kevin Graham (30) also returned during the December/January while 21-year-old goalkeeper Jesse Peters was snapped up.

“We focussed a lot on youth because we are at a rebuilding stage,” explained Shabazz. “We’ve got to keep an eye on the club with regards to (veteran players) Abdallah Phillips and Stephan David.”

Shabazz singled out former Central FC and Malabar FC midfielder Neptune as a player with promising talent.