HANOVER, N.J. – A lecture from Kemar Lawrence’s grandmother helped the New York Red Bulls land the talented Jamaica international, a scolding from the family matriarch that set in motion his rise to becoming one of the best left backs in MLS. It turns out that Grandma was never more right than when she insisted her grandson go on a trial with the Red Bulls, a trial that he was absolutely certain he did not want to do.



On Tuesday, Lawrence signed a long-term contract with the Red Bulls that rewards his consistency and perfect fit on this team—not to mention the fact that he listened to Grandma.



On a team where the system is the key, where the role of the outside back is often overlooked, it is easy to ignore the importance of Lawrence. And yet he might be the perfect left back for a team that is once again in the hunt for the Supporters’ Shield.



When he did arrive on trial in 2015, Lawrence was a virtual unknown to the Red Bulls players...