Kemar Michael Lawrence Bio
Kemar Michael Lawrence is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a left-back for USL League One club Westchester SC and the Jamaica national team. Recognized for his speed, defensive reliability, and attacking runs from the back, Lawrence has spent more than a decade competing at top club and international levels. He is widely known in Jamaica and Major League Soccer circles by the nickname Taxi.
Early Life and Background
Kemar Michael Lawrence was born on 17 September 1992 in Kingston, Jamaica. He grew up in a football household, the son of former goalkeeper Orville “Tutus” Edwards, who is rated among the best goalkeepers in the Caribbean during his career. Edwards played for Santos FC and the Jamaica national team during the 1970s, and he passed away in 2005 at the age of 53 from kidney failure.
Lawrence’s earliest football memories were shaped by his father’s legacy in Jamaican football, and he began developing his own game on the local youth scene in Kingston. Standing 1.78 meters (5 ft 10 in) tall, he built the athletic frame and competitive edge that would later define his professional career. His early environment in the capital city, combined with his family connection to the sport, set the foundation for his progression through the Jamaican youth ranks.
Path to Soccer
Lawrence began his football journey in 2003 in the youth ranks of Rae Town Football Club, where he played until 2007. In 2007, he signed for Harbour View FC, one of the leading clubs in Jamaica’s National Premier League, and continued his development in their academy. He was part of Harbour View’s National Premier League-winning squad in 2009–2010 while primarily playing for the club’s U20 team.
In 2009, Lawrence was briefly part of the residency program of the Canadian club Vancouver Whitecaps, then of the American USL First Division, gaining his first exposure to a North American professional environment. After returning to Harbour View, he broke into the first team in 2011, making a total of 50 appearances. In 2012, he briefly moved on loan to Arnett Gardens FC before returning to Harbour View in September, and he was part of Harbour View’s championship squad in the 2012–2013 season.
Kemar Michael Lawrence Career
Early Career (2011–2015)
Lawrence’s senior career began in earnest at Harbour View FC, where he established himself as a reliable left-back in the Jamaican top flight between 2011 and 2015. During this period, he collected domestic titles and gained attention from international scouts, including a brief trial with Major League Soccer club D.C. United in 2014. He was also selected for the inaugural MLS Caribbean Combine in 2014, signaling his growing reputation across the Caribbean.
On 16 March 2015, Lawrence signed with New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer after impressing during a preseason trial. He made his debut on 22 March 2015, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 victory over rival D.C. United at Red Bull Arena. He went on to score his first goal for the club on 18 October 2015 in a 4–1 victory over Philadelphia Union, helping New York clinch the Eastern Conference regular season title.
New York Red Bulls Era (2015–2020)
Lawrence’s time at New York Red Bulls transformed him into one of the league’s most consistent left-backs, as he beat out longtime defender Roy Miller for the starting role. He became a regular presence on the back line and contributed important goals during his five seasons with the club. On 29 April 2017, he scored the game-winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Chicago Fire, demonstrating his ability to deliver in tight matches.
Lawrence continued to be a key contributor in 2018, opening his account on 23 June with a goal in a 3–0 victory over FC Dallas. A week later, on 1 July, he scored the lone goal in a 1–0 victory over Toronto FC, helping to define New York’s strong regular-season form. His performances in MLS drew the attention of European clubs, setting the stage for his next move abroad.
Anderlecht Era (2020–2021)
On 31 January 2020, Lawrence moved to Belgian club Anderlecht for a transfer fee of 1.25 million euros, becoming one of the few Jamaican players competing regularly in a top European league. He made his debut on 7 March 2020 as a substitute in a 7–0 win against Zulte Waregem. The move marked a major step in his career and reinforced his reputation as a defender capable of performing at a high tactical level.
On 28 February 2021, Lawrence scored his first goal for Anderlecht, netting the second goal in a 3–1 victory over Standard Liège, a traditional rival in Belgian football. Despite limited playing time in Belgium, the Anderlecht experience gave him valuable exposure to European competition and tactical structures.
Toronto FC and Minnesota United Era (2021–2023)
On 7 May 2021, Lawrence returned to Major League Soccer, joining Toronto FC. He made his debut on 12 May, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 victory over the Columbus Crew, and on 7 July he scored his first goal for Toronto against the New England Revolution, netting the second Toronto goal in an eventual 3–2 victory. Ahead of the 2022 season, he did not join the club for preseason, as the club worked on a move for him.
On 17 March 2022, Lawrence was traded to Minnesota United FC in exchange for the MLS rights to Sean O’Hearn and a conditional 50,000 dollars in General Allocation Money. In August 2023, he agreed to mutually terminate his contract with Minnesota United, ending his second full MLS chapter.
UTA Arad Era (2024)
In April 2024, Lawrence signed a short-term deal with Romanian Liga I club UTA Arad, with a one-year extension option, returning to European football. The stint in Romania added another league experience to his varied career and kept him active while he considered his next move.
Westchester SC Era (2025–Present)
Lawrence was announced as the first-ever signing for USL League One expansion club Westchester SC on 12 December 2024. The move marked a historic moment for the new franchise and gave the veteran defender a leadership role in the club’s debut season. His arrival brought top-flight experience to a developing roster and raised the profile of the expansion side.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lawrence plays most often on the left side of defense, specializing in the role of a wing-back where his pace and crossing allow him to contribute on both ends of the pitch. Jamaica national team manager Winfried Schäfer described him as a player with good pace and intelligence on the field, while teammates such as Wes Morgan and Adrian Mariappa have praised his defensive reliability and technical quality.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lawrence’s most iconic international moment came on 23 July 2017, when he scored on a left-footed free kick from just outside the box to eliminate tournament favorites Mexico and send Jamaica to a second straight CONCACAF Gold Cup Final. He also represented Jamaica at the 2015 Copa América, where he was named the best left-back in the tournament by broadcaster Tim Vickery. His two Gold Cup runner-up medals in 2015 and 2017 remain defining achievements of his international career.
Kemar Michael Lawrence Career Wins
Lawrence has collected multiple club and international honors over a career spanning more than a decade in professional football. He has won domestic titles in Jamaica and reached major finals on the international stage, including two CONCACAF Gold Cup runner-up medals with Jamaica.
Club Honours
Lawrence was part of Harbour View’s National Premier League-winning team in 2009–2010 and their championship squad in 2012–2013. With New York Red Bulls, he helped the club clinch the Eastern Conference regular-season title in 2015 and was part of trophy-contending sides in subsequent seasons.
International Honours
Lawrence helped Jamaica reach the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final in both 2015 and 2017, finishing as runner-up on each occasion. He also contributed to Jamaica’s 2014 Caribbean Cup-winning campaign, scoring the first goal against Antigua and Barbuda in the final group stage match of the tournament.
Kemar Michael Lawrence Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Lawrence is the son of Orville “Tutus” Edwards, a former Jamaican international goalkeeper who was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Caribbean during his career. Edwards played for Santos FC and the Jamaica national team during the 1970s and passed away in 2005 at 53 years of age from kidney failure. His father’s legacy in Caribbean football continues to shape Lawrence’s identity as a defender.
Personal Life
Lawrence continues to be widely recognized in Jamaica by the nickname Taxi, a tribute that reflects his pace and reliability on the field. In January 2014, he was announced as a brand ambassador for PepsiCo as part of the 2014 FUTBOLNOW campaign featuring footballers such as Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero.
2025 Season Performance
Lawrence entered 2025 as the first-ever signing of USL League One expansion club Westchester SC, a role that positioned him as a foundational figure in the team’s debut campaign. The move allowed him to step into a leadership position with a young squad, lending his top-flight experience to a developing roster. His presence raised expectations for a competitive opening season in the USL League One.
Throughout the year, Lawrence was expected to anchor the left side of the defense and contribute attacking thrust from his wing-back role. As an established Jamaica international with experience in MLS and European leagues, his form for Westchester SC was closely watched by fans and analysts tracking the growth of the new club.
Looking ahead, Lawrence’s 2025 campaign with Westchester SC offered an opportunity to extend a long professional career while helping to define the identity of an expansion franchise. His mix of defensive solidity, leadership, and international pedigree made him a central figure in the club’s first-season outlook.