Full name Kayode McKinnon Years Team Career start 2000 Number 15 Height 1.79 m | Playing position Role Footballer Name Kayode McKinnon | |
Date of birth (1979-11-28) November 28, 1979 (age 36) Current team Antigua Barracuda FC (#15 / Midfielder) | ||
Kayode McKinnon (born November 28, 1979) is a Guyanese Athlete (footballer) playing at the FIFA & Olympic competition levels. He is also an elite soccer/fútbol coach in the United States. Currently he is the C.E.O of Kayode McKinnon & Co. where he trains athletes at all levels of the game.
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Club career
McKinnon began his professional career with Bakewell Topp XX in the Guyana National Football League, based in his hometown of Linden. He then joined Trinidadian team North East Stars and won a league championship title in 2004. He went on to play seven seasons in the TT Pro League, including Joe Public and Tobago United. During this time he also played with Caledonia AIA, living in Spain (Las Palmas).
Antigua Barracuda F.C., part of the USL Professional League, welcomed McKinnon for the 2011 season. He made his debut for the Barracudas on April 23 in a 3-2 win against Sevilla FC Puerto Rico.
International career
McKinnon made his first appearance for the Guyana National Team in 2002 and has since gone on to win 25 caps, scoring 2 goals. He played in two of Guyana's qualification games for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and again in qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He also played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, taking the country's football ranking to the highest it had ever been to date. Though he has played extensively on the international stage, he has always been considered a Golden Jaguar (unofficial name for the Guyana National Football Team). Nicknamed "the magician" for his unique playing style, McKinnon is heralded as one of Guyana's most talented athletes in the sport.
Coaching career
Kayode McKinnon has coached professionally in the USA since 2012. He holds the FA level III-B (UEFA B) credential, among others. His development of an elite coaching system has taken his athletes to national recognition. As a coach he trains players at all levels of soccer/fútbol including varsity, collegiate, olympic, and professional.
Philanthropy
Kayo's Football Academy is the non-profit endeavour of Kayode McKinnon & Co. Founded in 2008, the organisation has blossomed from a small idea into an effort that brings soccer to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play the game or be exposed to elite coaching. The academy focuses on providing soccer training to athletes from ages 6 – 16 years, emphasizing all principles of the game from fundamentals to advanced techniques. It is based in Linden, Guyana - McKinnon's hometown where he started playing soccer at 3 years old.
McKinnon has also engaged in multiple charity events, the most prominent being a double marathon of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to raise funds for AIDS awareness.
Résumé
Country: Guyana
Team: Guyana National Football Team (Golden Jaguars)
National Team Caps: 60
World Cup Qualifying Tournaments
2006, 2010, & 2014
Olympic Qualifying Games
U-23, U-19, & U-17 Guyana
Professional Clubs
2010 - 2012, Guyana Pro League/USL
Antigua Barracudas
2001 - 2009, Trinidad & Tobago Pro League
North East Stars
Caledonia AIA
Joe Public
Tobago United