Kemar Lawrence

  • Years with club: 2022–2023
  • Position: Defender (Left-Back)
  • Nationality: Jamaican
  • Acquisition: Acquired via trade from Toronto FC on March 17, 2022

Kemar “Taxi” Lawrence is a veteran Jamaican international defender known for his speed, defensive intensity, and attacking presence from the left-back position. He joined Minnesota United FC ahead of the 2022 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, bringing with him significant MLS experience, particularly from his successful spell with the New York Red Bulls.

Key stats with Minnesota United (MLS):

  • MLS regular season appearances: 41 (in two seasons)
  • Goals: 1
  • Assists: 2
  • Total club appearances (all competitions): 44
  • Acquisition: Traded for the MLS rights to Sean O’Hearn and a conditional $50,000 in General Allocation Money.
  • Departure: Mutually agreed to terminate his contract in August 2023.

Memorable moments and honors:

  • MLS Best XI: Lawrence was named to the MLS Best XI in 2018 while with the New York Red Bulls, recognizing him as one of the best left-backs in the league.
  • Supporters’ Shield winner: He won the Supporters’ Shield (regular season title) twice with the New York Red Bulls (2015, 2018).
  • International career: He is a long-time member of the Jamaica national team, earning over 70 caps and helping the Reggae Boyz reach the CONCACAF Gold Cup final twice (2015, 2017). He was named to the Gold Cup Best XI in 2017.
  • European experience: Lawrence also played for RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian top division from 2020 to 2021.
  • Minnesota goal: He scored his single goal for the Loons against Vancouver Whitecaps in a 3-1 victory on July 9, 2022.

Where is he now?:

  • After mutually terminating his contract with Minnesota United in August 2023, Lawrence had a brief spell with Romanian Liga I club UTA Arad in early 2024.
  • Kemar Lawrence is currently an active defender for Westchester SC in the USL League One, a club he joined on December 12, 2024, as their inaugural signing for their 2025 season.