Jelani Smith

Jelani Akil Smith (born January 1, 1991 in Mississauga, Ontario) is a Canadian soccer player currently playing for Milltown Football Club.
Career
Youth
Smith, was first recognized for his talent when aided his club team Erin Mills Eagles to a Gold medal in the 2005 BMO National Championships in Moncton, New Brunswick. In 2006, Smith played in the Ontario Summer Games in Ottawa, Ontario and helped his team to a Bronze Medal win. In the same year, he would see silverware again as his U-15 Erin Mills Eagles were OYSL league runners up finish a point behind London City. At the age of 16, Smith was selected to the Ontario U-16 provincial team.
In 2007 at the age of 16 Smith joined the Canadian Lions in the Canadian Soccer Leagueand became the youngest player and goal scorer in the league, at 16 years 7 months and 21 days. In a game against the Windsor Border Stars in a late season charge Smith scored to 2 goals in to assure the Lions a playoff spot in a 3-0 victory of the Border Stars.
His following season, Smith along side older brother Jamaal Smith, would leave the Lions after one season and join the Italia Shooters. In this year, Smith would win the Canadian Soccer League National Division Tittle. In the same season he led the Italia Shooters reserve squad to the 2008 reserve league tittle.
Amateur
Smith would be announced in April 2009, to join the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles class of 2013. As head coached Bob Butehorn announced, "Canadian forward Jelani Smith brings speed, size and a knack for finding the net." In his Freshman year, Smith would help the Eagles to an overall 8-7-1 record on the season and a 6-3 record in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Which gave the Eagles a 3rd place finish in the Atlantic Sun Conference a seasonal best since the program began in 2007. In his Freshman year:
Competed in all 16 matches and started 13 in 2009 and finished with two goals, three assists, 19 shots, and 11 shots on goal... Made collegiate debut in 1-0 victory vs. FIU (9/1/09) and recorded a shot on goal in 43 minutes played. Recorded first collegiate point on an assist in a 2-2 draw vs. Furman (9/11/09) at Diadora/Spinx Tournament... Scored first collegiate goal in 3-0 win vs. UC Riverside (9/18/09) at UNLV Rebel Classic... Credited with an assist vs. UNLV (9/20/09) at UNLV Rebel Classic. Smith registered a goal and an assist in a 4-0 victory vs. Campbell (10/24/09).
In his freshman campaign Smith finished with 19 shots, seven points, three assists, and two goals, which all are top-six on the squad.
International career
On May 10, 2010 Smith would earn his first Canada U-20 men's national soccer team selection to a 21-man roster invited to a camp running the 13-24 May in and around Alkmaar, Netherlands. Where Canada played an international friendly match against Japan and closed door context against Mexican club side Cruz Azul. Smith is in the player pool for the side preparing for next year’s 2011 CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship.
Honors
*2005 U-14 boys BMO National Championship
*2005 U-14 boys Ontario Cup Championship
*2006 U-15 boys Summer Games Bronze Medalist
*2008 Canadian Soccer League National Division Champion
*2008 Canadian Soccer League Reserve League Champion
*2008 U-21 Provincial East Champions North York Hearts Azzuri

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu