Kemali Green
 Green with Portland in 2026 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | May 18, 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | Kingston, Jamaica | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Portland Hearts of Pine | ||
| Number | 66 | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019 | Lock Haven Bald Eagles | 15 | (1) |
| 2021–2024 | Temple Owls | 44 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025– | Portland Hearts of Pine | 45 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of September 7, 2026 | |||
Kemali Green (born May 18, 2000) is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Portland Hearts of Pine in USL League One. Primarily a centre-back, Green has also played in defensive midfield.
Early life and education
[edit]Green was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, where he began playing soccer at a young age. Green subsequently joined the Philadelphia Union Academy, where he continued his development as a midfielder and defender.[1]
Initially attending Commonwealth University-Lock Haven and playing for the Bald Eagles, he transferred Temple University in Philadelphia in 2021[2] and played for the Temple Owls men's soccer team, initially as a midfielder.[3] During his collegiate career, Green became a key member of Temple's defense. He started every game in both 2023 and 2024 and was named second-team American Athletic Conference All-Conference in 2024.[4] He was also named AAC Defensive Player of the Week twice and received two Philadelphia Soccer Six honors.[5][6]
Career
[edit]On January 17, 2025, Green signed his first professional contract with Portland Hearts of Pine ahead of the club's inaugural USL League One season.[7] Green quickly established himself as a regular starter at center-back during Portland's inaugural season. In the 2025 USL League One regular season, he made 17 appearances and 17 starts, playing 1,501 minutes and recording one goal and one assist.[8]
He was also recognized by the club at the end of its inaugural season, being named a co-recipient of the club's Rookie of the Year award along with forward Titus Washington.[9]
He returned to the Hearts for the 2026 season.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Green is a childhood friend of fellow Philadelphia Union Academy alumnus Zion Scarlett. Scarlett later joined Portland Hearts of Pine and cited Green's positive experience with the club as an influence on his decision to move to Portland.[8]
Honors
[edit]Individual
References
[edit]- ↑ Ralph, Matthew (2025-01-18). "Union Academy & Temple grad Kemali Green signs with Portland Hearts of Pine". Philadelphia Soccer Now - All Philly Soccer, All the Time. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- ↑ McMenamin, Sean (2021-08-31). "Kemali Green brings intensity to midfield group". The Temple News. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- ↑ "Kemali Green Ready To Apply First-Year Lessons to 2026". The Blazing Musket. 2026-02-03. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- 1 2 "American Athletic Conference Announces 2024 Men's Soccer Honors". theamerican.org. 2026-09-07. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- ↑ "Kemali Green Earns AAC Defensive Player of the Week". Temple. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- ↑ Ralph, Matthew (2025-05-06). "Philly Soccer 6 award winners honored". Philadelphia Soccer Now - All Philly Soccer, All the Time. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- ↑ "Portland Hearts of Pine sign pair of MLS academy products". USL League One. 2025-01-17. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- 1 2 3 "Meet the 2026 Hearts of Pine". The Portland Press Herald. 2026-04-09. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- 1 2 "Hearts Players Experience Personal Growth During Inaugural Season". The Blazing Musket. 2025-12-03. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
External links
[edit]- Jamaican men's footballers
- Jamaican expatriate men's footballers
- Jamaican expatriates in the United States
- Temple Owls men's soccer players
- Lock Haven Bald Eagles men's soccer
- Portland Hearts of Pine players
- 2000 births
- Men's association football defenders
- Footballers from Kingston, Jamaica
- Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
- USL League One players
- Living people