π¨π¦πΊπ¦ The Canadian hoping to go from war zone to World Cup
Manjrekar James fled Ukraine during the Russian invasion. Then, he chose to go back.
Todayβs newsletter is brought to you by TAKLD, your guide to the best in American soccer! TAKLD sends the top soccer content from around the internet right to your inbox. Check out TAKLD.com to learn more.
Thanks to TAKLD for the support & for the lovely run-down of links -JA
The first time I try to get in touch with Manjrekar James, heβs being rushed to Moldova. On a later attempt, heβs on a 20-hour train journey to play an away match, going from the banks of the Black Sea to Uzhhorod on the border of Slovakia. He has to head all the way back after a 1-0 loss.
James is the only Concacaf international still playing in Ukraine, and heβs one of only a handful of internationals left in the league. Many left after Russiaβs invasion started in late February, others moved on in the summer transfer window, even as officials announced a bold plan for the league to return, complete with air-raid protocol necessitated by the ongoing war.
So, why did he stay?
βI didnβt want to just leave because of the war, so I made the decision to stay,β he wrote me when we finally connected on WhatsApp.
James said he liked how things were run with his club, Chornomorets Odesa, a once proud team in Ukraineβs third-biggest city that recently earned its way back into the first division.
He joined on loan from a Danish team on Feb. 22 after a former teammate gave good reviews of Ukraine and its league.
Days later, the team rushed out of the country as Russian troops began to attack not only disputed territory in Eastern Ukraine but areas like the capital Kyiv.
βWhen the invasion first started I didnβt know much about what was going on, and then someone filled me in and we had to drive to Moldova,β James said.
Now, βOf course, the country is under war, and itβs not the best situation, but I mostly just try to focus on football.β
Still, there are reminders of living in a war zone. The air raid sirens pierce the air with some regularity, sounding at 8:44 a.m. local time before a 9:11 a.m. all clear Tuesday morning and going again at 11:08 a.m.
βDay-to-day life is similar to most places I have played. Itβs not a big difference - itβs just that you are reminded the war is going on when the sirens are going on, but apart from this itβs all normal,β said James, who still will grab dinner at a restaurant or do other typical daily tasks.
The fact that he stayed despite the hardships has endeared him to the Chernomorets fan base. Many supporters thank him, he said, for deciding to return to Ukraine. Heβs also won over of plenty of supporters with his play on the field.
The team is struggling, sitting last in the league and the only team in the 16-team league yet to win. But James has been a bright spot, voted the fansβ Player of the Month for October and coming away with several Man of the Match awards.
βFor me these things donβt matter, how long the train ride is (etc.),β he said. βI am here to help the team with my qualities, and I just try to do that day in and out.
βAll the other things donβt really matter to me. I try to stay positive to help everyone around me because I know it can be hard for some reading the news and what not, so I just try to be that person who is always positive, trying to help the team in any way possible.β
For the central defender, that included scoring a goal in an early September game that gave βThe Sailorsβ a 1-1 draw and one of their three points this season.
James is trying his best to adapt off the field as well. While βmost of the players know basic Englishβ and there are a handful of others in the squad who have played abroad and speak the language, heβs working to fit in with the group as well as possible.
James would love to work into another group and get back with the Canada national team. He hasnβt been capped since a January 2020 friendly against Barbados in Southern California, which Canada won 4-1.
Four MLS-based center backs are on manager John Herdmanβs squad for a friendly against Bahrain the manager is using, in part, to see who will make his final squad for the 2022 World Cup roster. Steven VitΓ³ria and Derek Cornelius likely feel secure about their place already.
Even if he has to wait for the next cycle, the 29-year-old still dreams of playing on the sportβs most important stage.
βI mean, like everyone else thatβs a professional football player it would mean the world to represent their country in a World Cup,β he said. βAs it stands, I am working hard and if the call comes I will be ready and more than happy to help a already fantastic group.β
For now, heβll once again be on the stage that sits a long journey away from Odesa, helping Chornomorets in another match just outside Uzhhorod.
This is super, Jon. Iβm glad you were able to bring us this story.
What an engaging story. Thanks for sharing!