EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Thursday the club had signed goalkeeper Jahmali Waite ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval. 

Waite arrives in El Paso after two seasons with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC where he recorded 50 appearances across the regular season and playoffs. The 25-year-old helped the Hounds claim the 2023 USL Championship Players’ Shield while posting 10 shutouts and a 1.00 goals-against average in the campaign overall.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jahmali to El Paso,” Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut said. “He had a fantastic season with Pittsburgh in 2023 and has had impressive games with Jamaica at the international level. Jahmali has great reflexes and athleticism and is naturally very powerful, which helps him own the goal box. Jahmali has tremendous potential and is a top, proven USL goalkeeper who we think will be a very important piece for our goals and ambitions in 2024.”

The 25-year-old has become a regular selection for the Jamaica Men’s National Team, making his international debut in late 2022 against Cameroon and contributing to his country’s run to clinch qualification for the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Semifinals. In total, Waite has eight appearances with the Reggae Boyz.

“I’m super excited to continue growing and develop my skills in a new environment,” Waite said. “I’m hoping that I can bring positive energy and great qualities that will hopefully help the team win a championship.”

Analysis

Jahmali Waite brings major credentials to El Paso Locomotive FC with the Jamaican having produced numerous big performances and spectacular saves over his first two professional seasons. That production has moved him into position as Jamaica’s No. 2 goalkeeper behind the Philadelphia Union’s Andre Blake, with his performance in Jamaica’s draw at Estadio Azteca against Mexico last March raising his profile further.

The concern for Waite might lie in his underlying numbers. While he has recorded 17 shutouts in 50 appearances, Waite’s goals-against average sits at 1.03 over two seasons behind a notoriously stingy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defense, while his overall save percentage sits at 62.6 percent and his Goals Prevented mark sits at +7.07 (52 goals conceded on 44.93xGA). El Paso will be aiming for both of those numbers to rise as he arrives at Southwest University Park.