Kemali Green

Kemali Green
Green with Portland in 2026
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-05-18) May 18, 2000 (age 26)
Place of birth Kingston, Jamaica
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Portland Hearts of Pine
Number 66
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019 Lock Haven Bald Eagles 15 (1)
2021–2024 Temple Owls 44 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2025– Portland Hearts of Pine 47 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 25, 2026

Kemali Green (born May 18, 2000) is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Portland Hearts of Pine in USL League One. Primarily a centre-back, Green has also played in defensive midfield.

Early life and education

Green was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, where he began playing soccer at a young age. Green subsequently joined the Philadelphia Union Academy, where he continued his development as a midfielder and defender.

Initially attending Commonwealth University-Lock Haven and playing for the Bald Eagles, he transferred Temple University in Philadelphia in 2021 and played for the Temple Owls men's soccer team, initially as a midfielder. During his collegiate career, Green became a key member of Temple's defense. He started every game in both 2023 and 2024 and was named second-team American Athletic Conference All-Conference in 2024. He was also named AAC Defensive Player of the Week twice and received two Philadelphia Soccer Six honors.

Career

On January 17, 2025, Green signed his first professional contract with Portland Hearts of Pine ahead of the club's inaugural USL League One season. Green quickly established himself as a regular starter at center-back during Portland's inaugural season. In the 2025 USL League One regular season, he made 17 appearances and 17 starts, playing 1,501 minutes and recording one goal and one assist.

He was also recognized by the club at the end of its inaugural season, being named a co-recipient of the club's Rookie of the Year award along with forward Titus Washington.

He returned to the Hearts for the 2026 season.

Personal life

Green is a childhood friend of fellow Philadelphia Union Academy alumnus Zion Scarlett. Scarlett later joined Portland Hearts of Pine and cited Green's positive experience with the club as an influence on his decision to move to Portland.

Honors

Individual

References

  1. ↑ Ralph, Matthew (2025-01-18). "Union Academy & Temple grad Kemali Green signs with Portland Hearts of Pine". Philadelphia Soccer Now - All Philly Soccer, All the Time. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  2. ↑ McMenamin, Sean (2021-08-31). "Kemali Green brings intensity to midfield group". The Temple News. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  3. ↑ "Kemali Green Ready To Apply First-Year Lessons to 2026". The Blazing Musket. 2026-02-03. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  4. 1 2 "American Athletic Conference Announces 2024 Men's Soccer Honors". theamerican.org. 2026-09-07. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  5. ↑ "Kemali Green Earns AAC Defensive Player of the Week". Temple. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  6. ↑ Ralph, Matthew (2025-05-06). "Philly Soccer 6 award winners honored". Philadelphia Soccer Now - All Philly Soccer, All the Time. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  7. ↑ "Portland Hearts of Pine sign pair of MLS academy products". USL League One. 2025-01-17. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  8. 1 2 3 "Meet the 2026 Hearts of Pine". The Portland Press Herald. 2026-04-09. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  9. 1 2 "Hearts Players Experience Personal Growth During Inaugural Season". The Blazing Musket. 2025-12-03. Retrieved 2026-09-08.