Name: Leslie 'Tiger' Fitzpatrick.
Date of Birth: 11-Nov-78.
Position: Midfielder.
Club: Rochester Rhinos (USA, Apr-2008 to present).
Previous Clubs: Queens Park (Trinidad), Rhoda JC (Holland), Cincinnati Riverhawks (USA), Atlanta Silverbacks (USA, 07-Apr-2004 to 14-Apr-2005), Real Salt Lake (USA, 14-Apr-2005 to 17-Feb-2006), Puerto Rico Islanders (Peurto Rico, Dec-2006 to Dec-2006, short term stint), W Connection (Trinidad, May-2007 to Dec-2007).
Schools: Newtown Boys’ RC (Trinidad), Jean Lillywhite Coaching School (Trinidad), St Mary's College (Trinidad), Columbia University (USA).
NOTE: A member of the 2001 Trinidad & Tobago Olympic National football team, Leslie also represented T&T at the under 15, under 17 and under 20 levels. At the age of 16, “Tiger” was exposed to the professional ranks in Europe where he had a stint with Rhoda JC (Holland). “It was a great learning experience,” is how he described his time in Holland. “It gave me a lot of maturity and, unfortunately, I had some visa problems so it didn’t materialise.” After he left Columbia, he was honoured with a life-sized photograph on the walls of the Columbia University Sports Hall of Fame at the Dodge Fitness Centre.
Fitpatrick trained with MLS club Tampa Bay Mutiny before the club folded, then he trained with the developmental team of the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer. Leslie is a very dynamic left-footed player, versatile enough to play two or three positions, he has a great work ethic, stamina, technique and determination to be of some asset to any team he plays for. Leslie made his T&T senior team debut against Puerto Rico on the 24th of November 2004 and had an out-standing workhorse performance in that game, he showed a positive attitude with great energy and tackling ability. He scored his first international senior team goal against St Vincent on the 9th of January 2004, a Digicel Cup match. Now with his new club Real Salt Lake, Fitzpatrick had his alias name ‘Tiger’ officially printed on the back of his shirt instead of his last name.

Related  News:
10-May-2007 Leslie Fitzpatrick back home with Connection.
21-Dec-2006 'Tiger' clawing for another selection.

Club backing for ‘Warriors’ duo.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
31-May-2005 - Trinidad and Tobago’s United States duo Leslie Fitzpatrick and Marlon Rojas rejoined the “Warriors” camp on Monday morning with some timely support in their corner after learning that their staff members and teammates at Real Salt Lake were backing them to come through on top in Saturday’s crucial 2006 World Cup qualifier against Panama.
Both players went through their paces under the guidance of coach Leo Beenhakker at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Monday morning and then at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in the afternoon period.
Fitzpatrick and Rojas, who both made their senior international debuts last year were in the Salt Lake start team which lost 3-0 to Chicago Fire on Saturday but already scheduled to fly out to Port of Spain the next day, coach John Ellinger decided to take both players off midway through the second half in order to ensure they were injury free for the week of preparations with the “Warriors”.
“The result was a disappointing one and you always want to play a full game as well but I think it was a good gesture by the coach to take off both myself and Marlon because he know we would be having a big week ahead of us before the Panama game,” Fitzpatrick told TTFF Media after arriving home on Sunday night. Both he and Rojas played in the 4-0 win over Bermuda last Wednesday and jetted back to Salt Lake the following morning.
“The guys know that Panama gave the US a good run when the two teams played earlier in the campaign and I guess they know too that our team (T&T) needs to be at its best to get a positive result which is obviously a win on Saturday. Marlon has been working hard and we both intend to give it our all in whatever way to ensure that we pull this one off on the weekend,” Fitzpatrick added.

'Tiger' adds speed & skill to Real Salt Lake's midfield.

By Scott McAllister.
05-May-2005 - During the second half of the Real Salt Lake home opener, the large crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium got their first glimpse of the latest export coming out of Trinidad. Wearing the jersey with the name 'TIGER' on his back, Leslie Fitzpatrick brought an extra level of energy to the historic game for RSL.
Two weeks later, in Real's 2-2 draw against the Earthquakes, the RSL fans became quite aware of what Fitzpatrick could bring to the club's attack as he started wide on the right as part of a five-man midfield. The Trinidad and Tobago international moved with the ball as if it were tied to a string dancing around defenders, taking players on and holding the ball out wide so that his teammates could get into space.
"I think it's our natural style in the Caribbean and I guess the Central American style, maybe a little bit of an African way," Fitzpatrick said.
When he was five years old, a friend gave him the name of Tiger because of his aggressive play on the field, and the name stuck with him all the way through high school and into college. It returned while playing for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the USL First Division last season, and the familiar alias has followed Fitzpatrick through his transfer to RSL.
"Once you reconnect with people who know you as Tiger it comes back," said Fitzpatrick. "The first game (with RSL) when I had it on my shirt I guess it was a little bit of a hit, so I guess it's here to stay."
Tiger enjoyed his time in Atlanta, where he became a valuable part of the Silverbacks squad. The USL club didn't want to immediately let go of such a talent, but the deal was eventually made that allowed Tiger to join up with fellow countryman Marlon Rojas with Real.
"I had a great time in Atlanta, they were awesome," said Fitzpatrick. "But this is definitely the right step for my career.
"Competing day in and day out with the likes of Eddie (Pope), Clint (Mathis), Jason (Kreis), and then competing every week with some of the top guys like Landon (Donovan) that I've played against with the national team, really gives you a chance to sharpen yourself and stay on your toes."
Fitzpatrick said he felt his performance for Trinidad & Tobago in a World Cup qualifying match against the USA in February was a distinguishing factor in attracting the interest of a Major League Soccer team like Real Salt Lake.
"That game in particular is the one that sold me a lot to the league," said Fitzpatrick. "Because I knew John [Ellinger] and those guys were interested but it still had not been known if I could step up to play at the highest level. Playing against the U.S. and having a great game definitely helped to sell myself."
With his new team, Tiger is adjusting to the fluctuating weather patterns and high altitude of his surroundings. Before joining RSL he had never been to Utah, but is enjoying getting to know his new home high in the Rocky Mountains.
"It's real scenic. The mountains, the snow caps and all that," said Fitzpatrick. "[Salt Lake] is a beautiful city, the guys are great, and everyone has been real helpful. I've had a great time since I've been out here."
This weekend RSL will travel to Carson, Calif., to face expansion counterpart Chivas USA. Even though Chivas have yet to find a win this season Tiger knows that it will not be an easy match.
"They're going to be dangerous because their backs are against the wall. They haven't had a win as yet. They had one tie and a couple losses. The games were close. It wasn't like they were blow outs, for the most part," he said.
"What we need to do is get on them early and not give up the early goals like we've been doing. We've been putting our backs against the wall and that's what we need to try to avoid, especially this weekend."
With the wide pitch of The Home Depot Center, there should be plenty of space for Tiger to add a creative spark to an already dangerous RSL attack that is beginning to find its form.

Leslie Fitzpatrick fits into Real Salt Lake right away.

By: Peter Richins. Salt Lake Tribune.
21-Apr-2005 - It took Real Salt Lake midfielder Leslie "Tiger" Fitzpatrick 76 minutes to get into the game last Saturday against Colorado.
It probably took less time than that for him to adjust to his new team. Fitzpatrick, a regular with the Trinidad and Tobago national team, was acquired by RSL just days before the home opener. And after taking the place of Luke Kreamalmeyer at left-midfield, he was playing in front of countryman Marlon Rojas in the left defense.
"We have a pretty good understanding of each other's style, and that definitely helps us out on the field," Fitzpatrick said. He first began playing alongside Rojas for the Trinidad and Tobago national youth teams when they were 15 years old, and they still play together with the main national team.
Rojas said the pair's familiarity will benefit the team.
"We're going to link up at some point on the field and make something of the combination," Rojas said. "It's very familiar ground." But even without Rojas on the team, Fitzpatrick would have found his place among his new teammates in short order. "From the first day, the guys were really accepting of me," Fitzpatrick said. "It wasn't that big of a transition."

Leslie Fitzpatrick could be in RSL uniform Saturday.

By: Michael C. Lewis - The Salt Lake Tribune.
14-Apr-2005 - Real Salt Lake has had its eyes on dreadlocked midfielder Leslie "Tiger" Fitzpatrick for months. Now, it has its hands on him, too. The Major League Soccer expansion team has signed Fitzpatrick to a contract, and the promising member of the Trinidad & Tobago national team will join his new teammates in training today and could play in RSL's inaugural home game against Colorado at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday.
"I love the opportunity that Real Salt Lake has given me," he said, "and I know this will lead to a great relationship. I hope I can contribute, making RSL the best team in Major League Soccer." Though coach John Ellinger and his staff have been scouting the fleet Fitzpatrick since before he began to attract interest from other MLS clubs by performing well against the U.S. national team in a World Cup qualifying match two months ago, the signing comes at a fortuitous time.
Starting midfielder Andy Williams is out for four weeks with a groin injury, and replacement Clint Mathis has not practiced much this week because of swelling in his knee.
Mathis still is expected to start against the Rapids, but his tender condition leaves the midfield on seemingly shaky ground at a time when Ellinger wants to see it play more balls wide in order to get better crosses into the box against Colorado's Joe Cannon - the MLS goalkeeper of the year last season.
"We have the label of 'expansion team,' " Ellinger said, "and there's no question that at times . . we looked like an expansion team" during a loss at the Los Angeles Galaxy last weekend. "And we were acting like an expansion team. . . . I think we're too good for that."
RSL and the Rapids still are in search of their first victories. The teams are tied with expansion club Chivas USA at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference, with one point apiece. The 26-year-old Fitzpatrick was an All-American at Columbia University, before playing in the A League and on the Columbus Crew's developmental squad the past few years. He scored two goals in 28 games for the Atlanta Silverbacks of the A League last season, and fills one of the two roster spots RSL had open, following the release earlier this month of Bosnian defender Senad Halilovic. Utah will have a familiar look to him, too.
RSL's Marlon Rojas is a fellow member of the Trinidad & Tobago national team who has played alongside Fitzpatrick in many international games - including the 2-1 loss to the U.S. (and current RSL defender Eddie Pope) in which Fitzpatrick nearly scored on a breakaway that would have given his team the lead.
Fitzpatrick commented on his Silverbacks departure, "This is an opportunity that I had to take advantage of at this stage in my career. I'm excited about moving to the MLS but I leave with a heavy heart as I developed a great bond with the fans and my teammates. I think the organization was fantastic to my wife and I want to thank Coach Vaudreuil for his support. I am excited about the future for the club here in Atlanta and who knows maybe some day I'll be back."

'Tiger' and Smith train with MetroStars.

By Shaun Fuentes.
17-Mar-2005 - Trinidad and Tobago international duo Leslie "Tiger" Fitzpatrick and Conrad Smith have been training with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars during their preseason tour of the Caribbean island.
Fitzpatrick who recently broke in the T&T senior team has had interest from some MLS teams including the MetroStars and having gotten his international release from the Atlanta Silverbacks this week, he should now be eligible to line up for the New York side in Friday's friendly against Vibe CT 105 W Connection at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium on Friday.
Smith meantime, scorer of T&T's first goal in a recent 3-2 win over Barbados in the Digicel Caribbean Cup, has also caught the eye of the visitors and has been training under coach Bob Bradley. Both are in training with the view of possible deals from the visiting club which came to T&T as part of an agreement when they signed national striker Cornell Glen last year.
The MetroStars came from behind twice to edge CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh 3-2 on Tuesday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Leslie Fitzpatrick gets MLS nod.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
09-Feb-2005 - Midfielder Leslie “Tiger’”Fitzpatrick is expected to fly out for the United States to check out offers made to him by three American Major League Soccer teams.
The former St Mary’s College player has received offers from Real Salt Lake and Dallas FC and has also received interest from powerhouse DC United.
“The last couple months have been that sort of experience for me where I have been pushing myself to the next level after breaking into the national team. I’ve had a couple opportunities coming up which I try to capitalise on it as I continue my aspirations to get to Europe,” said Fitzpatrick.
“The focus now though is getting a good result against the Americans. We’re really trying to shock a lot of people because a lot of them aren’t sure if we can do it,” he ended. ‘Tiger’ still has a year left on contract with American A-League side Atlanta Silverbacks, however, he is still waiting for Atlanta Silverbacks to agree to a transfer fee, before he moves on to an MLS club, with Real Salt Lake more than likely to acquire his services.

Leslie Fitzpatrick happy with first T&T goal.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
12-Jan-2005 - Midfielder Leslie “Tiger “ Fitzpatrick believes that his current duties with the National Team has come at a time when the stage is being set for the careers of him and other teammates to take off.
This was the sentiment expressed by the former St Mary’s College player as he completed yet another intense training session with Bertille St Clair in Antigua on Wednesday morning.
The casual observer may ask whether the team needs to be undergoing such strenuous training but St Clair has set out to ensure that the “Soca Warriors” are perfectly fit and ready for any opponent. At the same time, he is also aware that the team’s tactical readiness is a key ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.
“I think we are at a stage of our preparations where the little areas and the major areas too will prove to be vital. We cannot afford to let anything slip by and as such the training is intense at the moment,” Fitzpatrick told TTFF Media. “Fortunately the players in the squad now have had some time to train over an extended period and that means the guys are all pushing themselves to try and get into the final team and I think that the coach definitely will have a tough decision when selection time comes around, particularly regarding the number of overseas players he will be picking.”
Reflecting on his first goal for the senior team, “Tiger” added “It’s something I have been wanting a long time and to finally get it meant a lot for me. It’s something off my shoulders now and I think that it definitely will spur me on for future matches. There are other players who have been stepping up and they certainly can use this as a stepping stone for better things.”
Other players accustomed to being on the fringe of selection and hoping to get into St Clair’s final list include the likes of CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh midfielder Michael Celestine, Denzil Theobald, Derek Phillips, Kerwyn Jemmott, Anton Pierre, Nigel Pierre, Atiba Charles of Vibe CT 105 W Connection, Nigel Pierre and Joe Public flank man Marlon Rojas, who enjoyed an improved showing in the 3-1 win over St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“At the end of the day it’s all up to the coach to select the team and for the players, it’s all about who wants it more. I think we have all been working very hard and not just looking out for ourselves but we have been working well as a team. Everybody just wants what is best for the team at this time and to see the team get good results, particularly in the opening game against the US,” said Rojas who had a past stint with MLS giants DC United last year. The team was also anxious to find out the faith of T&T's Under 20 footballers in their qualifier against the United States on Wednesday, and despite the lack of radio or television coverage here, phone calls are expected to be made on Wednesday night.
Following Wednesday’s training match against Antigua and Barbuda, the team is scheduled to train again on Thursday and will depart on Friday for St Vincent and the Grenadines for Sunday’s Digicel Caribbean Cup return fixture.

‘Tiger’ claws back.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
01-Dec-2004 - Following a quadriceps injury which sidelined him for nine months while training with Columbus Crew last season, versatile midfielder Leslie “Tiger” Fitzpatrick has clawed his way back into the forefront and is likely to force his way into this country’s World Cup team.
Fitzpatrick, formerly of St Mary’s College, played with Atlanta Silverbacks in the American A-League last season and has one more year there.
He is hoping that his recent senior international debut for T&T against Puerto Rico will set the stage for further progress.
“I just wanted to thank the team’s technical staff for giving me this chance to make my debut. Injuries and other obstacles in the past prevented me from representing the country at senior level, so it was a relief to finally get that out of the way,” Fitzpatrick said following T&T’s 1-0 win over Suriname.
“I’ve grown up looking at other players representing us at the highest level and now I got my chance to fulfill my dream so hopefully I can continue to make a valuable contribution.”
“Right now I am renegotiating for a better deal with Atlanta, because I love the team and the city and they are trying to make some improvements, so most likely I will stay for another season there,” the 26-year-old Fitzpatrick added.
Previously he has been a member of the T&T Under-23 team and also had a stint with Dutch club Rhoda FC, as well as Columbia University where he earned All-American honours. 
Meanwhile, Young midfielder Stephen Cruikshank will be on the look out for a new college in the United States early next year, after recently leaving NAIA’s King College.
The former St Anthony’s College captain had been home for the past couple of months and grabbed the chance to try out for the national senior team, which led to him making his debut off the bench in T&T’s 5-0 victory over Puerto Rico in the Digicel Cup last Wednesday.
The 21-year-old playmaker intends to complete his college education but is also hyped about his chances in the T&T shirt.
“The quality at King College wasn’t up to par so I decided to take the semester off and come home and try to see if I could get into the set up.
I was also vying for a chance on the Under 23 and then, after having a chat with Ron La (Forest), I got a chance to try out and then got into the final 18 for the Digicel Cup.
“I am excited over my chances and hopefully things will pick up from here,” Cruikshank said on the weekend.

T&T soccer ‘Tiger’ roaring for Atlanta.

T&T Guardian Reports.
23-Jun-2004 - Leslie Fitzpatrick, remember him? The “Tiger’”in the St Mary’s College and national football teams, almost “bound to score” in most of his matches.
He left T&T to take up an academic scholarship in the USA and is now making a name for himself as a professional footballer in League football in the USA. He joined the Atlanta Silverbacks a month ago and has already made a sensational and significant difference for his team.
Although he is not playing in either of his usual positions, he is exhibiting his versatility as a left defensive midfielder, the only position which was available in the team.
Since he has joined the team, Fitzpatrick has been named as “Man of the Match” on two occasions — in the matches against defending champion team Charleston and against Rochester, when he scored his first goal for the season. “Tiger” has played the full matches against all the teams. He was a main contributor in the win over Syracuse, in a match which was televised live on Fox Sports on June 1. He attracted the attention of the commentators who continually identified him as a national of T&T -— good exposure for the country.
Last year, the Silverbacks won four matches in the entire season and was in the cellar position. This year, the team has recorded five straight victories from six matches and, with the season only quarter of the way through, the team has already surpassed the number of points it registered for all of 2003.
In a tournament that spans the eastern seaboard and ranges into Canada and Puerto Rico, a win against Toronto Lynx has now tied the Silverbacks on points in second place with Rochester.
The Trinidad “Tiger” spent much of last season playing for the Columbus Stars in Ohio, where he trained with the Columbus Crew, alongside seasoned national US and World Cup players Brian McBride, Jeff Cunningham and Franke Hedjuk. At the Silverbacks in Atlanta, where he now resides, “Tiger” lines up with internationally known Bulgarian Velco Iotov and Alex Pineda of Honduras.
“Tiger” has the magic touch for turning things around for his team. He did it for his prestigious Ivy-League Columbia University team — the Columbia Lions — and feels honoured to have his life-sized photograph on the walls of the Columbia University Sports Hall of Fame at the Dodge Fitness Centre. “Tiger” Fitzpatrick is looking forward to serving his country as the team prepares for the 2006 World Cup and feels committed to helping to achieve some positive results for the local team.

Silverbacks signs Leslie Fitzpatrick.

07-Apr-2004 - (atlantasilverbacks.com) - Trinidad & Tobago native and Columbia University grad joins Atlanta's midfield ranks. The Atlanta Silverbacks today announced the signing of Leslie Fitzpatrick to a two year contract. A native of Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Fitzpatrick played for his National Team from the Under-15 level through the U-23 Olympic team. At age 16, he trained and played with Dutch club Roda JC in Holland before returning to his soccer-rich Caribbean nation to play with local club Queens Park. During his appearances with the various Trinidad national team squads, the midfielder faced various CONCACAF opponents such as, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, United States and Canada.
The 5'6", 160-lb. speedster attended Columbia University, where he received All-American and All-Ivy-Conference honors, graduating in 2001. From 2002 to 2003, the 25-year-old Fitpatrick trained with the Cincinnati Riverhawks of the A-League and the developmental team of the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer. Head Coach David Vaudreuil said about the newest addition to the red-and-black gorillas: "Leslie is a very dynamic left-footed player versatile enough to play two or three positions for us, we expect he'll be a great asset"

Leslie "Tiger" Fitzpatrick and Sealy set up Stars win.

T&T Guardian. 
31-Dec-2001 - Former St Mary's players, Leslie "Tiger" Fitzpatrick and Scott Sealy helped set up a 3-1 win for the United States-based XI over Misfits on Saturday in their second friendly soccer match at Hasely Crawford Stadium training ground, Wrightson Road.
National Under-20 player, Nigel Daniel, who plays for CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in the Professional Football League, completed the scoring for the foreign-based unit while Daren Million scored the lone item for Misfits in the dying stages of the match.
Twenty-three-year-old Fitzpatrick, who graduated with a degree in economics and political science in May from Columbia University, opening the scoring when a defender misqued a cross and he planted a left-footer past the Misfit custodian.
Sealy, who is a freshman at Wake Forest University, netted the second goal, darting in on the right flank and hammering a shot into the far post. After Daniel increased the score to 3-0, Million pulled a goal back for Misfits by scoring on goalkeeper Andre Christian, a former Fatima player. On Boxing Day, the US-based players met Cool It of Pinto Road in Arima in the first Mickey Trotman memorial game and lost 1-0.
During the interval of yesterday's game, Earl "Mango" Pierre, manager of the foreign-based side, donated a set of T-shirts to former national player Ron La Forest, coach/technical director of the Ron La Forest Soccer Academy.
The jerseys will be used by members of La Forest's school against opposing teams in the coming season. Pierre, who has been living in the United States for nearly two decades, is the players representative of the Trinidad and Tobago Players Association in Brooklyn and manager of T&T Internationals, a team comprising of Trinidadians and Tobagonians either living of spending vacation in the US.

Leslie "Tiger" Fitzpatrick injury blow for T&T.

Leslie "Tiger" Fitzpatrick has withdrawn himself from the TnT senior team preparing for the September 01 World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica because of injury.
According to team manager George Joseph, Fitzpatrick said he was unable to link up with the 24 other local-based players due to an injury which Joseph could not state as clearly.
Coach Professor Rene Simoes conducted two sessions daily at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Monday and Tuesday. Brazilian physiologists Dr Rugerio Nevis and Dr Sergio Reis worked with the players from 2-3pm on Tuesday and will spend Wednesday in its entirety with them.
The team is now in camp at the Cascadia Hotel until Friday. They are expected to resume that camp on Monday until the match against the Costa Ricans.
Angus Eve and his teammates are scheduled to face TnT's U-17 team at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 4pm.
The overseas-based players are expected to start arriving in the country from as early as Sunday. Nottingham Forest striker Stern John has indicated that he will be home next Tuesday.

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