Kevin Molino Explained

Kevin Molino
Fullname:Kevin Reginald Molino[1]
Birth Date:1990 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Carenage, Trinidad and Tobago
Height:5 ft 8 in
Position:Winger
Years1:2008
Clubs1:San Juan Jabloteh
Years2:2009–2011
Clubs2:Ma Pau SC
Years3:2011–2014
Clubs3:Orlando City
Caps3:84
Goals3:25
Years4:2015–2016
Clubs4:Orlando City
Caps4:37
Goals4:11
Years5:2017–2020
Clubs5:Minnesota United
Caps5:67
Goals5:21
Years6:2021–2023
Clubs6:Columbus Crew
Caps6:31
Goals6:2
Years7:2023
Clubs7:Columbus Crew 2
Caps7:1
Goals7:0
Nationalyears1:2007
Nationalteam1:Trinidad and Tobago U17
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2009
Nationalteam2:Trinidad and Tobago U20
Nationalcaps2:13
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2011–2013
Nationalteam3:Trinidad and Tobago U23
Nationalcaps3:6
Nationalgoals3:5
Nationalyears4:2010–2023
Nationalteam4:Trinidad and Tobago
Nationalcaps4:59
Nationalgoals4:23
Club-Update:04:13, 18 September 2023 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:04:13, 18 September 2023 (UTC)

Kevin Reginald Molino (born 17 June 1990) is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a winger.

Club career

Orlando City

After playing for several years in the TT Pro League, with San Juan Jabloteh and Ma Pau SC, Molino signed with Orlando City in the USL Professional Division on 18 March 2011.[2] He scored his first goal for his new club on 14 May in a 1–0 win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.[3] Following two seasons with Orlando, Molino had week-long trials with PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands and Zulte Waregem of Belgium in hopes of continuing his career in Europe.[4] However, on 13 March 2013, it was announced that Molino had re-signed with Orlando for the 2013 USL Pro season.[5] On 10 January 2014, Molino signed a new two-year contract with Orlando City which would keep him at the club when they transition into Major League Soccer for the 2015 season despite heavy interest from other MLS and foreign suitors. The deal made Molino the first player signed to Orlando's MLS roster.[6]

Molino began the 2014 USL Pro season, the club's final season in the league, with 15 goals in his first 21 matches, the most in the league at that point in the season. Molino tied the league single-season goal scoring record of 15 shared by Dom Dwyer and José Angulo on 16 August 2014[7] with six games left in the season.[8] Two games later on 23 August 2014, Molino scored in a league match against the Richmond Kickers to bring his goal tally to 16 for the season, setting the new single-season record in the process.[9] Molino concluded Orlando City's final USL Pro season with a goal against the Richmond Kickers, raising his final record-tally to 20 as Orlando City won its third Commissioner's Cup in four years.[10]

On 2 May 2015, during Orlando City's friendly against Ponte Preta, Molino tore his right ACL and missed the remainder of the 2015 MLS season.[11] On 3 April 2016, Molino scored his first goal for Orlando City from a penalty in a 4–1 win over Portland Timbers.[12]

Minnesota United

On 26 January 2017 it was announced that Molino would rejoin former coach Adrian Heath at Minnesota United FC after Minnesota paid Orlando City $650,000 in allocation money for the player.[13] The transfer fee paid was reportedly tied for the largest exchange in league history.[14] On 10 March 2018, during the second game of Minnesota United FC's season, Molino tore his left ACL in a match against Orlando City FC after scoring two goals in the first game of the season.[15]

Following Minnesota's 2020 season, Molino's contract expired.[16] On 16 December 2020, Molino announced that he would not be rejoining Minnesota United.[17]

Columbus Crew

On 7 January 2021, Columbus Crew announced the signing of Molino for the 2021 Major League Soccer season.[18]

On 26 August 2021, it was announced that Molino had torn his right ACL, his second ACL tear in his right knee and third total in his MLS career.[19]

International career

Molino has represented Trinidad and Tobago at international level. He was named in Trinidad's 2010 Caribbean Cup squad, and made his international debut versus Guyana on 4 November 2010.[20] He announced his retirement from international duty on 1 September 2023.[21]

Personal

In early 2015, Molino received his U.S. green card which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[22] His brother, Kevon Cooper is a cricketer from Trinidad and Tobago. He has played for Trinidad and Tobago and Leeward Islands as well as for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and in various other Twenty20 leagues around the world.

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ma Pau SC2010–11TT Pro League401050
Total401050
Orlando City2011USL24211253
201224211253
201318230182
20142820223022
2015MLS7070
20163011213212
Total131379514042
Minnesota United2017MLS307307
20182222
20191733010213
2020189342113
Total672130107425
Columbus CrewMLS1110000111
11100111
14000140
Total3620000222
Career total22860125200024169

International goals

Scores and results list Trinidad and Tobago's goal tally first.[23]

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1.7 October 2011Bermuda National Stadium, Hamilton, Bermuda1–2 1–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.22 January 2012Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago2–1 2–3Friendly
3.11 December 2012Antigua Recreation Ground, St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda2–12–12012 Caribbean Cup
4.15 July 2013BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, United States2–02–02013 CONCACAF Gold Cup
5.5 September 2013King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 3–3 3–32013 OSN Cup
6.8 October 2014Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago1–06–12014 Caribbean Cup qualification
7.2–0
8.3–0
9.12 October 20141–01–0
10.11 November 2014Montego Bay Sports Complex, Montego Bay, Jamaica3–23–22014 Caribbean Cup
11. 13 November 20141–04–2
12.2–0
13.29 March 2016Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago4–06–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
14.5 October 2016Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago1–04–02017 Caribbean Cup qualification
15.2–0
16.4–0
17.24 March 2017Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago1–01–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
18.12 June 2017Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica1–11–2
19.11 November 2017Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago2–22–2Friendly
20.26 June 2019Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City, United States1–11–12019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
21.9 September 2019Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago1–02–22019–20 CONCACAF Nations League A
22.2 July 2021DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States1–06–12021 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification
23.6 July 20211–01–1

Honours

Orlando City

2011, 2012, 2014

Columbus Crew

2023

Trinidad and Tobago

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 40-Player National Team Roster: 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup: Trinidad and Tobago . CONCACAF . 15 . 21 May 2019 . Bernews . 7 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200907035351/http://cloudfront.bernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019_Concacaf_Gold_Cup_Preliminary_Lists_May_20.pdf . live .
  2. Web site: Orlando City Signs Trinidadian International Kevin Molino. Our Sports Central. 18 March 2011. 18 December 2017. 24 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134103/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4168186. live.
  3. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::72013+Elements/Display+E+47107+Stats/+2175625
  4. Web site: Molino tries out for PSV. Trinidad Express. 18 December 2017. 22 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201080818/http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Molino_tries_out_for_PSV-175336621.html. 1 December 2017. dead.
  5. Web site: Molino Returns To Orlando. 13 March 2013. USL Pro. 14 March 2013. 11 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140111011653/http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/702733.html. dead.
  6. News: Tenorio. Paul. Orlando City signs Kevin Molino to two-year deal, making him Lions' first MLS player. Orlando Sentinel. 10 January 2014. 18 December 2017. 1 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044256/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-01-10/sports/os-orlando-city-sc-resigns-midfielder-kevin-molino-to-twoyear-deal-20140110_1_kevin-molino-lions-coach-adrian-heath-two-year-deal. live.
  7. Web site: Lions Take Victory Against City Islanders. USL Pro. 16 August 2014. 18 August 2014. 19 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090018/http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/830248.html. dead.
  8. News: Carnahan. J.C.. After tying Dom Dwyer's USL PRO record, Orlando City's Kevin Molino hopes to mirror MLS success. Major League Soccer. 19 August 2014. 18 December 2017.
  9. Web site: MOLINO BREAKS USL PRO GOAL SCORING RECORD IN THRILLING 3–2 VICTORY. Orlando City Soccer Club. 23 August 2014. 24 August 2014. 26 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115540/http://orlandocitysc.com/news/?article_id=2012. live.
  10. Web site: Molino Lifts Lions Past Kickers. USL Pro. 6 September 2014. 7 September 2014. 9 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140909194311/http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/835294.html. dead.
  11. Web site: Kevin Molino Tears Right ACL, Will Miss Remainder of the 2015 MLS Season. Orlando City Soccer Club. 3 May 2015. 18 December 2017. 25 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230825083211/https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/kevin-molino-tears-right-acl-will-miss-remainder-2015-mls-season. live.
  12. News: MLS preview: Kaka's back for Orlando City – and he's still brilliant. The Guardian. Tim Hill. 8 April 2016. 18 December 2017. 25 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230825083251/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/apr/08/mls-kaka-orlando-city-brilliant. live.
  13. Web site: Couch. Ben. Minnesota United FC acquire Kevin Molino for $650,000 in allocation money. Major League Soccer. 26 January 2017. 18 December 2017. 2 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202125044/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/26/minnesota-united-fc-acquire-kevin-molino-650000-allocation-money. live.
  14. Web site: Baer. Benjamin. Baer: Will Kevin Molino be worth the cost for Minnesota United FC?. Major League Soccer. 26 January 2017. 18 December 2017. 25 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230825083343/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/baer-will-kevin-molino-be-worth-cost-minnesota-united-fc. live.
  15. Web site: Minnesota United's Kevin Molino to miss remainder of 2018 season. Tenorino. Paul. 22 October 2018. mlssoccer.com. 22 October 2018. 23 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181023123016/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/03/12/minnesota-uniteds-kevin-molino-miss-remainder-2018-season. live.
  16. Web site: 2020 End of Season Roster Updates | Minnesota United FC. 2 February 2021. 12 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210512211944/https://www.mnufc.com/post/2020/12/11/2020-end-season-roster-updates. live.
  17. Web site: Winger Kevin Molino says he's not returning to Minnesota United | MLSsoccer.com. 2 February 2021. 17 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210117192259/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/12/16/winger-kevin-molino-says-hes-not-returning-minnesota-united. live.
  18. Web site: Columbus Crew SC signs winger Kevin Molino from free agency | Columbus Crew SC. 2 February 2021. 12 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210412222933/https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2021/01/07/columbus-crew-sc-signs-winger-kevin-molino-free-agency. live.
  19. Web site: MLSSoccer. Columbus Crew's Kevin Molino set to miss 9-12 months with right knee injury . 28 August 2021. MLSSoccer. 28 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210828170259/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/columbus-crew-s-kevin-molino-set-to-miss-9-12-months-with-right-knee-injury. live.
  20. Web site: Kevin Molino Profile. Caribbean Football Database. 18 December 2017. 1 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040308/http://caribbeanfootballdatabase.com/trinidadandtobago/players/kevinmolino.html. dead.
  21. Web site: 2023-09-02 . Soca Warriors captain Kevin Molino retires from international football . https://web.archive.org/web/20230918040913/https://www.sportsmax.tv/football/regional/item/127595-soca-warriors-captain-kevin-molino-retires-from-international-football . 2023-09-18 . 2023-09-18 . www.sportsmax.tv . en-gb.
  22. News: Carolina Challenge Cup Game 1: Orlando City vs. New York City FC. Orlando Sentinel. Paul. Tenorio. 21 February 2015. 18 December 2017. 7 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107030220/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-carolina-challenge-cup-orlando-city-nycfc-20150221-post.html. dead.
  23. Web site: CFD Profile. Caribbean Football Database. 20 August 2014. 1 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040308/http://caribbeanfootballdatabase.com/trinidadandtobago/players/kevinmolino.html. dead.
  24. Web site: USL PRO Awards Winners Announced. USL Pro. 13 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121021224426/http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/661366.html. 21 October 2012. dead.
  25. News: Kevin Molino named 2014 USL PRO MVP following record-breaking season for Orlando City SC. MLSsoccer.com. 26 September 2014. 18 December 2017. 22 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141022193217/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/09/26/kevin-molino-named-2014-usl-pro-mvp-following-record-breaking-season-orlando. live.
  26. Web site: USL PRO All-League teams packed with talent from LA Galaxy, Orlando City, Columbus Crew, D.C. United. MLSsoccer.com. 23 September 2014. 24 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140924224921/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/09/23/usl-pro-all-league-teams-packed-talent-la-galaxy-orlando-city-columbus-crew-. live.
  27. Web site: USL PRO Awards Winners Announced. USL Pro. 28 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141004055134/http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/839565.html. 4 October 2014. dead.
  28. News: Jamaica capture Caribbean Cup in shootout win over Trinidad & Tobago; Union's Andre Blake makes key save. Major League Soccer. 18 November 2014. 19 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141121164748/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/18/jamaica-capture-caribbean-cup-shootout-win-over-trinidad-tobago-unions-andre. 21 November 2014. live.