The Trini-Ronaldinho?

His name is Michael Roopchandsingh, a 20-year old New York-born footballer with Trinidadian parentage. Both of his parents are from South Trinidad, his mother (Carol) was born in Fyzabad, and his father (Tony) hails from La Romain.

Roopie as he is commonly known is strong on his left foot, has great skill and speed, loves to run at defenders and prides himself on being a team player.

College Career

Mike has had some success during his college and high school years in the U.S. He played for many teams including, Quickstrike FC, JBS, Newburgh FC, Newburgh Free Academy and most recently Herkimer County Community College.

Some of his accomplishments are; 2007 and 2008 first team all-star; Herkimer CCC first team all tournament team, first team all region and 2011 national champions. The talented left-winger has also managed to amass 45 goals with 75 assists in his career so far.

During his schooling years it was not always on the up for Mike as he felt heartbroken when his team Newburgh FC lost in the 2007 Sectional Championship final, and then he suffered the same fate at Herkimer County when they lost in the 2010 National NJCAA Championship finals to Suffolk’s Clippers.

Jonathon Rosscraig scored the equalizer after receiving an assist from none other than Roopie, but Herkimer could not hold on. Despite numerous chances on goal the Clippers delivered the final blow as Dimas Escobar notched his double and Herkimer’s Generals sank to a 2-1 defeat as the Clippers took home the trophy.

T&T call-up

Since then, Mike has gotten over the disappointment and has moved on to bigger and better things. He received many offers from schools in the US and while he is still deciding on his future as far as his education is concerned, the talented ball weaver has been trialing with the Trinidad and Tobago National Under 23 Olympic team.

It all began when Mike contacted the Soca Warriors Online (SWO) and expressed his interest in donning the red, white and black. His trial was eventually set up through yours truly and with the help of former T&T U-23 manager Norris Ferguson and assistant coach Derek King, Michael was on his way to the motherland.

There he received a warm welcome from his new found teammates and was quickly off to a training camp in Tobago. At first he said it was a little difficult as he did not know his teammates too well and felt uncomfortable playing his game. He told the SWO that he has never played at this level and felt a bit nervous which may have resulted in him not being selected to play against Finland in T&T’s first U-23 friendly before the Olympic final qualifiers in March 2012.

The ice eventually broke after a few sessions and Mike ended his trial on a positive note, as he did enough to earn a call back to another training camp set for next month in Tobago.

Regarding his experience with T&T’s U-23s Mike said: "I really didn't get much feedback from the coaches on how I performed and I feel I wasn’t really given a chance to run at defenders and make plays, so most of the time when I got the ball I would just pass it off. This however, was my fault, but I will learn from the experience and do better next time.”

"We had a scrimmage against Scarborough Secondary School which we won 3-1 and I went on in the last 20 minutes as a substitute.  I thought I played well, but I didn't run at defenders as I like to. I am still in a shell and I’m a little afraid to be myself with the ball as this is something new to me. During my next session we did some drills and shooting and I felt I showed Coach Angus Eve and his assistant Derek King that I can score with both feet."

"Then the big news came, I did not make the final 20 man squad to play against Finland, but in all fairness, the T&T team is of a very high-level and they are a great bunch of players who deserve their pick on the team."

"So for the game against Finland, I was in the Dwight Yorke Stadium cheering on the guys and I was very impressed with T&T and the players, especially Kevin Molino. Kevin is a baller! I would love to play alongside him, because together I feel we have a similar style and we can do a lot of damage to defenders."

"I was very happy T&T won and I think this team can go all the way.  We all know Mexico and USA are two top teams in CONCACAF, but I have no doubt in my mind T&T has the talent to beat them."

"Angus Eve and Derek King are doing a really great job with these guys and I am hoping I could be part of their plans. They treated me really nice and I am really grateful for such an opportunity. It was something I have never experienced in my life and something I will never forget."

Assistant coach Derek King gave his impression of Mike saying, "Well he is not a bad player at all, but he lacks the experience playing at this level, so it’s understandable that Mike will take a little more time to come along. The players we have now are at a good level with international experience, but we are keeping a close eye on Mike."

Brian Southworth, head coach of the Eastern N.Y. Premiere Travel Soccer Club said that: "Mike was one of the better players I have ever coached. He is passionate about the game, he was a pleasure to coach because of his attitude and work-rate and he never gives up."

"Mike is a genuine fighter, I believe if he does make the Trinidad and Tobago team they would benefit greatly because he is a player once he is on the top of his game he could change a situation in a heart beat, he is dynamic, technically gifted and his vision is excellent."

"In 2004/05 we were New York State Eastern U-15 Premiere league semi-finalist and the following year we won the U-16 title, which Mike played a pivotal role on the team success, ended coach Southworth."

Southworth holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) License and has over 15 years Youth Soccer Coaching Experience.

Heading East?

While Mike is patiently awaiting his next T&T camp, he is on a trial spell with T&T Pro League outfit North East Stars with the hope of joining their reserve team as he contemplates his professional career and educational opportunities.

He has already played in one of their games and based on Kevin Harrison’s (North East Stars Operations Director) report, he impressed.

On Saturday January 28, North East Stars Senior team played their Reserves in St John’s, St Augustine. The reported stated: "Roopie played from the start for the Reserves (same team that beat Army Reserves last week, which included many 1st team players including Richard Roy and Ross Russell Jr)."

"Roopie never really had the chance to show his best stuff. Some of this was due to the formation and some due to being new to the team with no real chance to build an understanding."

"Aside from the North East coaches though - Alcantara, Jeffrey and Sancho, there was also an assistant coach from St John’s University in USA who has spent a few days with North East Stars looking for talent. All of the coaches confirmed Roopie as a quality player."

"He will now train with the Reserves to get acclimatized and then obviously, if he shines through, will move up to the senior squad."

"He's a hard working player (which obviously didn't show on his personal DVD) and can take licks. It was full body contact today and Roopie took some knocks but got on with his game."

"Most refreshing was his enthusiasm, and he's a genuinely nice guy. Looking forward to him settling in and setting the Pro League alight, but first, I can't wait to see him in the Reserves, maybe even this week”, ended Kevin Harrison.

Mike loves football so much that he has tattooed ‘I love soccer’ on his neck and though he still needs to learn the tricks of the trade, one thing he surely has going for him is his talent and desire to be a great footballer like his idol Ronaldinho. Mike is also very close to his brother who is very ill and is in a wheelchair, and he dedicates every goal he scores to him.

"I love football and even though I was not born in Trinidad and Tobago I feel very connected. I love the people and the country, and I guess my parents did a great job raising us." My family here in Trinidad has also been very nice to me thus far. Even the fans are great.  I was moved by some of the guys on the SWO who were so supportive and despite some negative comments, most were very positive and encouraging and I want to say thanks to you all”, ended Mike.

With its small talent pool and no set of developmental program in place, T&T can’t afford to discard any of its young hopefuls, especially those that possess Mike’s talent and desire to represent T&T at the highest level. I am of the opinion Michael Roopchandsingh is one to watch for the future. He can produce electrifying moments on the field and I believe if afforded the opportunity to further establish himself in T&T’s national set up he could possibly be as influential in T&T’s game as his Brazilian idol is to Brazil.

Video: See Mike in action.