Cosmos Goalkeeper Keasel Broome To Join Barbados Ahead Of World Cup Qualifiers In June

Right now the New York Cosmos feature four players who have appeared in competition for their respective senior national teams.  Come June 10, goalkeeper Keasel Broome could join the ranks of Raúl, Marcos Senna, Danny Szetela, and Andrés Flores.

Broome, who signed with the Cosmos in April, got the call to join Barbados' camp prior to consecutive World Cup qualifying games against Aruba on June 10 and June 14. He’ll leave New York for training on May 31. The Bajan Tridents first travel to Trinidad Stadium in Aruba, then to Barbados for the return leg at Usain Bolt Sports Complex.

“This really is a big honor,” Broome said earlier this month. “I was actually called up for the first time back in March, but I was unable to come into camp because I hurt my shoulder.”

A standout goalkeeper for Providence College born in Claymont, Delaware, Broome’s Barbadian heritage comes from his father, who was born in the easternmost Caribbean nation. Broome became a citizen of Barbados in 2004 and has watched the country’s national soccer team with interest ever since.

“I’ve been following Barbados’ national team for a long time,” Broome said. “Whenever they have a game I always look to see if I can stream it somewhere online. And it’s not a bad place to vacation.”

Broome has already logged minutes for New York Cosmos B, helping the new reserve side win its inaugural match on May 2 against the Brooklyn Italians. He also continues to train with the first team.

“It’s been awesome being here,” Broome said. “This is a totally new experience for me. Guillermo Valencia, the goalkeeper coach, is teaching me a lot. I’ve been learning a lot from Jimmy Maurer and Brian Holt, too.”

He admitted that he had yet to tell many of his Cosmos teammates about his recognition from the national team.

“I’m not sure many guys on the team know, but when they find out I know they’ll be really supportive and excited,” Broome said. “Andrés Flores knows and has congratulated me on the call-up. He’s also given me insight into what it’s like to play for a national team, since he has experience with El Salvador.”

Barbados fell 1-0 to the U.S. Virgin Islands on March 22 in its initial leg of first round qualifying, but swiftly battled back to earn a 4-0 win in the second leg, advancing to the next stage. Now Aruba awaits, a side that received a bye through to the second round. A pair of positive results with Broome in the mix could mean another call-up for the 23-year-old.