Ronaldo is motivated to improve and help North Texas SC repeat

2019 was the first season of action for USL League One. In the inaugural campaign, Ronaldo Damus took home two of the biggest honors in the league as he won the Golden Boot with 16 goals, finished atop the USL’s 20 under 20 rankings, and helped North Texas SC win the title. With such a successful debut season in the league, Ronaldo is motivated to prove himself all over again in 2020.

He got off to a good start after the season finally kicked off, scoring the match-winner vs. Forward Madison for the reigning champions. “It was a pleasure for me after spending 4 to 5 months working really hard because it proves to me this is the beginning of the fruit of all my sacrifices during all the difficult times,” Ronaldo told BGN.

When he scored that goal, he had a new name on the back of his NTX kit as he switched it from his last name to his first name. He said, “Because I love Cristiano Ronaldo that’s what leads me to use Ronaldo the only back of my kit.” It turns out that the Juventus striker is the 20-year-old forward’s favorite Ronaldo. “I like both (Brazilian Ronaldo) but I prefer Cristiano more because I really like the way he plays,” Damus explained. Those two are his favorite attacking players and he also mentioned Luis Suarez, Robert Lewandowski, and Karim Benzema among the strikers he enjoys to watch.

For the Ronaldo that stars in USL League One, his international career for Haiti has also shown promise with him making his debut for the first team back in 2016 as a 16-year-old. “My pride in representing my national team is doing great things with them,” he said. While he loves to showcase his skills on the pitch for Haiti, he also enjoys life off the pitch when he’s back in his native country. “My activities when I am not playing soccer are spending my time with my family, my girlfriend and my friends, too,” he explained. Ronaldo adds that his favorite food back home is white rice pea sauce with vegetables and his favorite place to visit is the city of Cap Haitien.

Next up on the menu for Damus and North Texas SC is a matchup with Chattanooga Red Wolves at Global Life Park in Arlington tomorrow (Kick off set for 8 PM CT). With that success last season, how can Ronaldo improve his individual performance from 2019 as the season continues? He said, “Well, my goal doesn’t change. I have to work harder than last year to get the Golden Boot again this year.” The club is also motivated to prove themselves again this season, as they sit with one win and one draw from two matches. “We want to win the title again and I know it won’t be easy but we will make all the sacrifices, work hard to be that able to do it again,” Damus said.

Carson A Merk

Reporting live from Sin City, I have covered both RGVFC and Las Vegas Lights FC since their inceptions. I also write profiles to highlight players from the NCAA to USL to NWSL and everywhere in between.