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Kharlton Belmar has just as much an eye for art as he does an eye for goal. 

That says a lot, especially for a player that’s already left an unforgettable impression on the league that named him Rookie of the Year in 2015 and is still the all-time leading goal-scorer for Sporting Kansas City II – formerly known as Swope Park Rangers – with 25 strikes. 

The versatile attacker has been selected as the March 2018 USL Championship Player of the Month, earned Player of the Week honors twice, and has been selected to the USL Team of the Week a total of eight times.

Kharlton Belmar has just as much an eye for art as he does an eye for goal. 

That says a lot, especially for a player that’s already left an unforgettable impression on the league that named him Rookie of the Year in 2015 and is still the all-time leading goal-scorer for Sporting Kansas City II – formerly known as Swope Park Rangers – with 25 strikes. 

The versatile attacker has been selected as the March 2018 USL Championship Player of the Month, earned Player of the Week honors twice, and has been selected to the USL Team of the Week a total of eight times.

In the relatively short time he’s been a professional, his on-field artform has dazzled supporters and captured their imaginations. Off-the-pitch, Belmar also has an equally impressive artistic ability that too captures imaginations.  

Over the years, he’s picked up a fondness for photography, one of many creative talents that ran in the family.  

“It really starts with my mom; she went to art school before she had me and she’s an amazing artist and painter so over the years I picked that up through her,” Belmar said. “Once she introduced me to it, I started drawing cartoons and anime type of stuff then once I strayed away from that I started being more interested in realism and street art like graffiti. I always took art classes because I liked art in general, but I was never really into drawing objects and that stuff. I always wanted to kind of do my own thing, but the art classes allowed me the opportunity to kind of stop and do that during the school day."

"I’m more favorable to capturing people in a city environment where there’s just so much going on and there’s a lot to see and take in and everyone has such different emotions, so I was always drawn towards that side of it.”

In the relatively short time he’s been a professional, his on-field artform has dazzled supporters and captured their imaginations. Off-the-pitch, Belmar also has an equally impressive artistic ability that too captures imaginations.  

Over the years, he’s picked up a fondness for photography, one of many creative talents that ran in the family.  

“It really starts with my mom; she went to art school before she had me and she’s an amazing artist and painter so over the years I picked that up through her,” Belmar said. “Once she introduced me to it, I started drawing cartoons and anime type of stuff then once I strayed away from that I started being more interested in realism and street art like graffiti. I always took art classes because I liked art in general, but I was never really into drawing objects and that stuff. I always wanted to kind of do my own thing, but the art classes allowed me the opportunity to kind of stop and do that during the school day.”

“I’m more favorable to capturing people in a city environment where there’s just so much going on and there’s a lot to see and take in and everyone has such different emotions, so I was always drawn towards that side of it.”

His time in Richmond not only sparked his interest in photography, but Virginia’s Capital City also offers a vibrant culture that Belmar was immediately drawn to – specifically the tattoo scene. 

“Richmond is a cool little artsy city, a lot going on in that respect and it has its own unique vibe that has a big tattoo culture which I picked up on right when I got to campus,” Belmar said. “The second my mom dropped me off I went and got my first tattoo! It was a tattoo for my dad, a cross on my shoulder. My little sister saw it on Facebook and told my mom!”

Towards the end of his tremendous college career, Belmar had the opportunity to spend a summer in another artsy city and compete with the Portland Timbers U23s. He relished the chance to continue his hobby behind the lens in a picturesque town while showcasing his skills on the west coast for potential future employers to witness.

“Portland really piqued my interest in photography, that’s when I bought my own personal camera. I was sharing with a teammate before,” Belmar explained. 

His time in Richmond not only sparked his interest in photography, but Virginia’s Capital City also offers a vibrant culture that Belmar was immediately drawn to – specifically the tattoo scene. 

“Richmond is a cool little artsy city, a lot going on in that respect and it has its own unique vibe that has a big tattoo culture which I picked up on right when I got to campus,” Belmar said. “The second my mom dropped me off I went and got my first tattoo! It was a tattoo for my dad, a cross on my shoulder. My little sister saw it on Facebook and told my mom!”

Towards the end of his tremendous college career, Belmar had the opportunity to spend a summer in another artsy city and compete with the Portland Timbers U23s. He relished the chance to continue his hobby behind the lens in a picturesque town while showcasing his skills on the west coast for potential future employers to witness.

“Portland really piqued my interest in photography, that’s when I bought my own personal camera. I was sharing with a teammate before,” Belmar explained. 

With an artistic interest in styles similar to that of graffiti and tattoos, it’s no wonder why Belmar was attracted to the aesthetic of Portland’s grit and natural beauty. 

“A lot of the pictures I like to take tend to be a little darker, a little cloudier type of feels and monochromatic so I thought what better place to capture stuff like that and stuff that’s pretty moody than a rainy place like Portland so I guess it just kind of spoke to me,” he said. 

Not only was Portland the perfect backdrop for his photography, but it was also the ideal launching point for his professional career. In the short summer season Belmar played for the U23s, where he netted eight goals in 14 games and earned a spot on the PDL All-Western Conference team as well as being named the Timbers U-23 Player of the Year following their title-winning campaign. 

With an artistic interest in styles similar to that of graffiti and tattoos, it’s no wonder why Belmar was attracted to the aesthetic of Portland’s grit and natural beauty. 

“A lot of the pictures I like to take tend to be a little darker, a little cloudier type of feels and monochromatic so I thought what better place to capture stuff like that and stuff that’s pretty moody than a rainy place like Portland so I guess it just kind of spoke to me,” he said. 

Not only was Portland the perfect backdrop for his photography, but it was also the ideal launching point for his professional career. In the short summer season Belmar played for the U23s, where he netted eight goals in 14 games and earned a spot on the PDL All-Western Conference team as well as being named the Timbers U-23 Player of the Year following their title-winning campaign. 

“I can’t even put that season into words. How that all transpired is amazing, I wasn’t remotely close to starting that first game that first year,” Belmar said. “I think a week before that first game I was the backup forward and there was this Brazilian player who was there and he disappeared, I don’t know what happened in that situation but I ended up getting the starting spot and scored my first two goals in my first professional game and that set the tone for the rest of the year which was just unbelievable, a complete whirlwind.”

Following his first year, Belmar was loaned to NASL’s New York Cosmos and had the luxury of lining up alongside some of the greatest names the game has ever produced. Cosmos lifted the title at the end of the season, the ultimate dream ending for his debut pro season which began with the striker nearly not even being included in T2’s starting squad. 

“I’m just realizing, playing my first professional season, win a rookie of the year award then go win a championship with Marcos Senna and Raul in their last professional seasons, that was unbelievable,” Belmar proclaimed. “I was just that college kid, trying to make a name for himself and ended up being able to make an impact right away.”

“I can’t even put that season into words. How that all transpired is amazing, I wasn’t remotely close to starting that first game that first year,” Belmar said. “I think a week before that first game I was the backup forward and there was this Brazilian player who was there and he disappeared, I don’t know what happened in that situation but I ended up getting the starting spot and scored my first two goals in my first professional game and that set the tone for the rest of the year which was just unbelievable, a complete whirlwind.”

Following his first year, Belmar was loaned to NASL’s New York Cosmos and had the luxury of lining up alongside some of the greatest names the game has ever produced. Cosmos lifted the title at the end of the season, the ultimate dream ending for his debut pro season which began with the striker nearly not even being included in T2’s starting squad. 

“I’m just realizing, playing my first professional season, win a rookie of the year award then go win a championship with Marcos Senna and Raul in their last professional seasons, that was unbelievable,” Belmar proclaimed. “I was just that college kid, trying to make a name for himself and ended up being able to make an impact right away.”

“Oh man, that was incredible, I’m pretty sure I cried because it was just something that I worked so hard for,” Belmar said. “I’m trying to put it into words, that was the vision I had for myself that first year, after the rookie of the year season I thought that was the next step. Then what I went through the steps of my second season where I’m no longer being the guy anymore and I’m kind of put on the back-burner so to finally get that call-up, it made all the sweat and the tears and the nights of just wanting to give up, it made it all worth it.”

It was a day that Belmar remembers vividly. 

“I remember going into Peter’s [Vermes] office. I had no idea, I mean I had been training pretty frequently with the first team, but that’s really all it was,” he explained. “I played the Open Cup game, but it still wasn’t quite the real thing and I wasn’t fully apart of it yet. I remember getting called into his office, thinking that I did something wrong and he’s like ‘hey, we want to sign you’ and I just remember I said absolutely nothing and just kind of stared at him and he asked ‘are you excited?’ and I’m like ‘Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! I just didn’t have any words because you kind of go through those periods where everyone’s like ‘keep pushing, keep pushing, it will come, it will come’ and sometimes it doesn’t but sometimes it does when you least expect it and that’s kind of what that was.”

“Oh man, that was incredible, I’m pretty sure I cried because it was just something that I worked so hard for,” Belmar said. “I’m trying to put it into words, that was the vision I had for myself that first year, after the rookie of the year season I thought that was the next step. Then what I went through the steps of my second season where I’m no longer being the guy anymore and I’m kind of put on the back-burner so to finally get that call-up, it made all the sweat and the tears and the nights of just wanting to give up, it made it all worth it.”

It was a day that Belmar remembers vividly. 

“I remember going into Peter’s [Vermes] office. I had no idea, I mean I had been training pretty frequently with the first team, but that’s really all it was,” he explained. “I played the Open Cup game, but it still wasn’t quite the real thing and I wasn’t fully apart of it yet. I remember getting called into his office, thinking that I did something wrong and he’s like ‘hey, we want to sign you’ and I just remember I said absolutely nothing and just kind of stared at him and he asked ‘are you excited?’ and I’m like ‘Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! I just didn’t have any words because you kind of go through those periods where everyone’s like ‘keep pushing, keep pushing, it will come, it will come’ and sometimes it doesn’t but sometimes it does when you least expect it and that’s kind of what that was.”

“Things started happening pretty quickly once the regular season ends and if I wasn’t going back to MLS at this point in time, then I only wanted to play for the best USL club possible and the second Sacramento came knocking, that was a no-brainer for me,” Belmar said. “It’s always been one of my favorite USL stadiums to play in with the atmosphere and I couldn’t imagine having to come here being on the other side of it again so now it’s nice to finally be on the right side of it.”

Belmar’s extremely appreciative of the opportunity he’s been given in the Indomitable City, and the reception he received following the announcement of being Republic FC’s first signing this past offseason is a moment he’ll never forget. 

“I honestly could not believe it; I was telling my mom that,” Belmar said of the warm welcoming. “I mean, I’ve had big receptions in Nashville, but that one [in Sacramento], I couldn’t put that into words. It felt like I hit the jackpot in terms of hospitality, and it made me that much more excited to get here. 

“Things started happening pretty quickly once the regular season ends and if I wasn’t going back to MLS at this point in time, then I only wanted to play for the best USL club possible and the second Sacramento came knocking, that was a no-brainer for me,” Belmar said. “It’s always been one of my favorite USL stadiums to play in with the atmosphere and I couldn’t imagine having to come here being on the other side of it again so now it’s nice to finally be on the right side of it.”

Belmar’s extremely appreciative of the opportunity he’s been given in the Indomitable City, and the reception he received following the announcement of being Republic FC’s first signing this past offseason is a moment he’ll never forget. 

“I honestly could not believe it; I was telling my mom that,” Belmar said of the warm welcoming. “I mean, I’ve had big receptions in Nashville, but that one [in Sacramento], I couldn’t put that into words. It felt like I hit the jackpot in terms of hospitality, and it made me that much more excited to get here. 

Belmar’s back on the west coast and he’s brought his pace, power and camera lens with him.

This time, however, he’s finally in an Old Glory Red kit.

Belmar’s back on the west coast and he’s brought his pace, power and camera lens with him.

This time, however, he’s finally in an Old Glory Red kit.

Dekel Keinan’s decorated career is one that most players can only dream of having. 

The Israeli defender has lined up against storied English Premier League clubs Liverpool FC at the historic grounds of Anfield, Arsenal at the Emirates and Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge. 

He’s listened to the Champions League anthem play prior to taking the pitch against German giants FC Bayern Munich deep in Bavaria as well as traveling to Turin for a UCL fixture against The Old Lady of Italy, Juventus FC. 

While having the privilege of proudly wearing his national team’s kit, Keinan competed on the international level with Israel against European powerhouses Russia, Croatia and Greece.

He’s seen it all in the soccer world and competed on some of the grandest of soccer stages. He’s won silverware in his home country as well as the country he and his family currently call home. 

And he’s not done yet. 

Dekel Keinan’s decorated career is one that most players can only dream of having. 

The Israeli defender has lined up against storied English Premier League clubs Liverpool FC at the historic grounds of Anfield, Arsenal at the Emirates and Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge. 

He’s listened to the Champions League anthem play prior to taking the pitch against German giants FC Bayern Munich deep in Bavaria as well as traveling to Turin for a UCL fixture against The Old Lady of Italy, Juventus FC. 

While having the privilege of proudly wearing his national team’s kit, Keinan competed on the international level with Israel against European powerhouses Russia, Croatia and Greece.

He’s seen it all in the soccer world and competed on some of the grandest of soccer stages. He’s won silverware in his home country as well as the country he and his family currently call home. 

And he’s not done yet. 

“So, I don’t think a lot about the past, I think about the next game, the next training.”

Entering his second year with Republic FC after making 23 starts in his first season, the polished pro with 27 international caps to his name is still seeking ways of improving his game. With a resume that includes stints with Israeli Premier League’s Maccabi Haifa, English Premier League clubs Blackpool, Cardiff City and Crystal Palace before heading across the pond to captain FC Cincinnati’s title-winning campaign, Keinan’s fire to compete and perform at the highest level is still burning bright.   

“Every day that I’m on the training pitch, I want to get better and it’s been like this since I was a little kid and it’s not going to change now,” Keinan said. “I’m here for a reason, not just for a great experience for me and my family but because this is the perfect place for me. To show my ability to play, be a leader as part of the club and the community and it’s just the beginning, I hope.”

Keinan might be nearing the twilight years of his admirable playing career, but he’s just now beginning to write the next potential chapter of his well-traveled soccer story. His life-long love for the beautiful game is what’s fueling his next endeavor in the soccer world – coaching – and he’s grateful for the chance to begin his coaching journey with the Republic FC Academy, having helped coach the SRFC U19’s and U17’s for two weeks as well as the U16’s. 

“As much as I love the game, and I really love the game, I know at some point it will be over so to get a taste from the coaching staff, from Todd [Dunivant], it’s really eye-opening and I’m really, really lucky to get the opportunity to learn and to study from professional guys like Mark [Briggs] and his staff and to just sit there and listen, sometimes of course I’ll share my opinions, but I feel lucky enough to have the chance to learn from them and I don’t want to miss it,” Keinan explained.

“So, I ask questions because first and foremost, I am a player and I’m going to fight for my minutes and I’m going to fight my place and I want to play, I want to win games. But I was happy to help out with the academy, it was a good experience for me and a good experience for the kids and it’s something that’s very interesting for me. You never know what’s going to happen in the future, but this is definitely something I’m thinking of.”

“So, I don’t think a lot about the past, I think about the next game, the next training.”

Entering his second year with Republic FC after making 23 starts in his first season, the polished pro with 27 international caps to his name is still seeking ways of improving his game. With a resume that includes stints with Israeli Premier League’s Maccabi Haifa, English Premier League clubs Blackpool, Cardiff City and Crystal Palace before heading across the pond to captain FC Cincinnati’s title-winning campaign, Keinan’s fire to compete and perform at the highest level is still burning bright.   

“Every day that I’m on the training pitch, I want to get better and it’s been like this since I was a little kid and it’s not going to change now,” Keinan said. “I’m here for a reason, not just for a great experience for me and my family but because this is the perfect place for me. To show my ability to play, be a leader as part of the club and the community and it’s just the beginning, I hope.”

Keinan might be nearing the twilight years of his admirable playing career, but he’s just now beginning to write the next potential chapter of his well-traveled soccer story. His life-long love for the beautiful game is what’s fueling his next endeavor in the soccer world – coaching – and he’s grateful for the chance to begin his coaching journey with the Republic FC Academy, having helped coach the SRFC U19’s and U17’s for two weeks as well as the U16’s. 

“As much as I love the game, and I really love the game, I know at some point it will be over so to get a taste from the coaching staff, from Todd [Dunivant], it’s really eye-opening and I’m really, really lucky to get the opportunity to learn and to study from professional guys like Mark [Briggs] and his staff and to just sit there and listen, sometimes of course I’ll share my opinions, but I feel lucky enough to have the chance to learn from them and I don’t want to miss it,” Keinan explained.

“So, I ask questions because first and foremost, I am a player and I’m going to fight for my minutes and I’m going to fight my place and I want to play, I want to win games. But I was happy to help out with the academy, it was a good experience for me and a good experience for the kids and it’s something that’s very interesting for me. You never know what’s going to happen in the future, but this is definitely something I’m thinking of.”

“Over those two weeks I gathered the academy players together and I told them, ‘listen, I was never the best player, the fastest, the most talented or technical player, I was never this kind of player. But one thing I was, I was the one who worked harder than anyone else. I was the one who came to training first and left last. I was the one who asked questions, I was the one who was there every day, never giving up.’ For me, this was the advice I wanted to give them, because there are going to be tough times and some people will say ‘you’re not good enough’ but if you believe in yourself and work hard and want to get better, you’re going to make it,” the determined defender said.

“And when I think about it, that’s true for everything in this world,” Keinan continued. “Not just soccer. It applies to many more things than just sport.”

Hard work was instilled in the resolute defender the day he was old enough to help contribute to his childhood community. Growing up in the kibbutz of Rosh HaNikra, everyone worked for the cumulative good of the town. A kibbutz is traditionally a small communal farming collective where everyone is expected to do their part for the group. 

“It was a small community, not even large enough to call a village called a kibbutz,” Keinan said. “One thing I learned more than anything from growing up in that type of environment was you have to work hard, and everyone has to work hard to make the dream work.” 

“Over those two weeks I gathered the academy players together and I told them, ‘listen, I was never the best player, the fastest, the most talented or technical player, I was never this kind of player. But one thing I was, I was the one who worked harder than anyone else. I was the one who came to training first and left last. I was the one who asked questions, I was the one who was there every day, never giving up.’ For me, this was the advice I wanted to give them, because there are going to be tough times and some people will say ‘you’re not good enough’ but if you believe in yourself and work hard and want to get better, you’re going to make it,” the determined defender said.

“And when I think about it, that’s true for everything in this world,” Keinan continued. “Not just soccer. It applies to many more things than just sport.”

Hard work was instilled in the resolute defender the day he was old enough to help contribute to his childhood community. Growing up in the kibbutz of Rosh HaNikra, everyone worked for the cumulative good of the town. A kibbutz is traditionally a small communal farming collective where everyone is expected to do their part for the group. 

“It was a small community, not even large enough to call a village called a kibbutz,” Keinan said. “One thing I learned more than anything from growing up in that type of environment was you have to work hard, and everyone has to work hard to make the dream work.” 

This was a lesson he learned while watching a famous Arsenal legend doing a postgame interview on TV. 

“I remember as a kid, I was maybe 10 or 11 years old, I was watching a Premier League game and it was maybe one game a week or something like that and I remember Tony Adams talking after a game about how he was injured and why he continued to play and the only thing mentioned the whole interview was that it wasn’t for the fans or for the coach, but he mentioned it was for his teammates and leading by example” Keinan said. “I took his words as a lesson. If you want to be a leader, lead by example first.”

As a defender and very similarly to that of Arsenal’s Adams, Keinan has an uncompromising style about him and his defensive instincts are one of the many reasons for his longevity competing in top leagues around the globe. He’s a throwback defender to a simpler time, a natural leader who lets his fearless tackling do all the talking.  

But his greatest strength of all has nothing to do with physical force and everything to do with a refusal to accept anything short of victory.  

This was a lesson he learned while watching a famous Arsenal legend doing a postgame interview on TV. 

“I remember as a kid, I was maybe 10 or 11 years old, I was watching a Premier League game and it was maybe one game a week or something like that and I remember Tony Adams talking after a game about how he was injured and why he continued to play and the only thing mentioned the whole interview was that it wasn’t for the fans or for the coach, but he mentioned it was for his teammates and leading by example” Keinan said. “I took his words as a lesson. If you want to be a leader, lead by example first.”

As a defender and very similarly to that of Arsenal’s Adams, Keinan has an uncompromising style about him and his defensive instincts are one of the many reasons for his longevity competing in top leagues around the globe. He’s a throwback defender to a simpler time, a natural leader who lets his fearless tackling do all the talking.  

But his greatest strength of all has nothing to do with physical force and everything to do with a refusal to accept anything short of victory.  

This endless lust for competitive victory extends to league matches, friendlies, and even training exercises. 

“I’m not going to lie to you, but every time we do small-sided games and I win, for a few seconds, maybe two or three seconds, I feel like I’m on the top of the world,” Keinan exclaimed. “And after training if I lose, and I’m not going to lie either, it can ruin my day. Not every time, but you can ask my wife, when I come home, she knows. As I’m getting older, I’m learning not to let the game affect my life, but not a big success! The moment I get home, she knows if I won the training or not.”

Over his career, Keinan has accumulated quite a collection of memorable moments and massive victories but one of his personal favorites occurred as recently as October of 2019. 

“My first game for the national team was a big thing for me and I’ve played twice in Liverpool at Anfield which is the best atmosphere I’ve ever had but you think I’m going to lie to you but the game against New Mexico in the playoffs last season at home, I told the guys after the game, easily making the top-five most emotional moments of my career, easily,” Keinan said.  “I can not explain it to you, but the atmosphere after the game, and after that win after we conceded after a few seconds, we go one-zero down and we come back, with my family in the stands, easily makes top-five most emotional moments in my career and you’ve seen how many big games I’ve played in.”

This endless lust for competitive victory extends to league matches, friendlies, and even training exercises. 

“I’m not going to lie to you, but every time we do small-sided games and I win, for a few seconds, maybe two or three seconds, I feel like I’m on the top of the world,” Keinan exclaimed. “And after training if I lose, and I’m not going to lie either, it can ruin my day. Not every time, but you can ask my wife, when I come home, she knows. As I’m getting older, I’m learning not to let the game affect my life, but not a big success! The moment I get home, she knows if I won the training or not.”

Over his career, Keinan has accumulated quite a collection of memorable moments and massive victories but one of his personal favorites occurred as recently as October of 2019. 

“My first game for the national team was a big thing for me and I’ve played twice in Liverpool at Anfield which is the best atmosphere I’ve ever had but you think I’m going to lie to you but the game against New Mexico in the playoffs last season at home, I told the guys after the game, easily making the top-five most emotional moments of my career, easily,” Keinan said.  “I can not explain it to you, but the atmosphere after the game, and after that win after we conceded after a few seconds, we go one-zero down and we come back, with my family in the stands, easily makes top-five most emotional moments in my career and you’ve seen how many big games I’ve played in.”

Given all the illustrious international competitions Keinan has competed in, it says a lot about the growing quality of soccer in the United States if European players are beginning to appreciate the North American leagues. For Keinan, it was something that he definitely wanted to be a part of, and he wanted to do it together as a family. 

“I heard that soccer was growing in America and I really wanted one more experience before my time comes,” he said. “I wanted to experience something else, for me, for my family, it was the perfect time for me to try something else. I believe in trying to see different places, different cultures, different people – these things are difficult to compare to money because seeing these things will stay with me and with my family and even more importantly, they’ll stay with my kids forever.” 

Not everyone has the courage to pack up and move to a completely new and foreign corner of the world without knowing a soul. For some, it’s very difficult to step outside of their comfort zones, but it wasn’t for a brave and adventurous Keinan clan. 

“To move to see different places, different cultures, meet new friends and learn a language that’s new to them, it was one big decision and I’m glad I took it,” Keinan said. “It was difficult though; my kids didn’t know a word in English before we came. Not everything was perfect, but that’s why we came – to struggle, to find our way, and to be stronger as a family. Now when I’m looking back, and even if you were to ask my kids, they’re happy we moved, and they like it here and they found so many new friends.”

The defender even kids that his children have settled in even better than he has. 

“They speak better English than me, better accent for sure,” Keinan joked. “The kids, they’re fixing my accent! We’ve met so many great people, so many great friends who are going to be friends for life. Great memories here and that is exactly why we came.”

After years of playing inside Premier League grounds, lacing up the boots before massive Champions League contests on famous European nights, Keinan feels extremely fortunate he and his family can call Sacramento home.  

“It’s beautiful, it’s the perfect place,” he said. “A lot of nature, the great schools, very quiet, very clean, very nice. Sometimes I feel like it’s above us!”

An accomplished Keinan should never feel like anyone or anything is above him, given all he’s contributed to the game of soccer and all he’ll continue to contribute. Both in soccer and the city of Sacramento. 

Given all the illustrious international competitions Keinan has competed in, it says a lot about the growing quality of soccer in the United States if European players are beginning to appreciate the North American leagues. For Keinan, it was something that he definitely wanted to be a part of, and he wanted to do it together as a family. 

“I heard that soccer was growing in America and I really wanted one more experience before my time comes,” he said. “I wanted to experience something else, for me, for my family, it was the perfect time for me to try something else. I believe in trying to see different places, different cultures, different people – these things are difficult to compare to money because seeing these things will stay with me and with my family and even more importantly, they’ll stay with my kids forever.” 

Not everyone has the courage to pack up and move to a completely new and foreign corner of the world without knowing a soul. For some, it’s very difficult to step outside of their comfort zones, but it wasn’t for a brave and adventurous Keinan clan. 

“To move to see different places, different cultures, meet new friends and learn a language that’s new to them, it was one big decision and I’m glad I took it,” Keinan said. “It was difficult though; my kids didn’t know a word in English before we came. Not everything was perfect, but that’s why we came – to struggle, to find our way, and to be stronger as a family. Now when I’m looking back, and even if you were to ask my kids, they’re happy we moved, and they like it here and they found so many new friends.”

The defender even kids that his children have settled in even better than he has. 

“They speak better English than me, better accent for sure,” Keinan joked. “The kids, they’re fixing my accent! We’ve met so many great people, so many great friends who are going to be friends for life. Great memories here and that is exactly why we came.”

After years of playing inside Premier League grounds, lacing up the boots before massive Champions League contests on famous European nights, Keinan feels extremely fortunate he and his family can call Sacramento home.  

“It’s beautiful, it’s the perfect place,” he said. “A lot of nature, the great schools, very quiet, very clean, very nice. Sometimes I feel like it’s above us!”

An accomplished Keinan should never feel like anyone or anything is above him, given all he’s contributed to the game of soccer and all he’ll continue to contribute. Both in soccer and the city of Sacramento.