American DeMerit's English dream
(FIFA.com) 06 Dec 2006
For any aspiring American 'soccer' player, a place among the stars of the English Premiership is akin to a wild dream come true. Yet now, alongside the likes of Fulham's Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra, Claudio Reyna and DaMarcus Beasley of Manchester City and goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Tim Howard, stands a virtual unknown - one Jay DeMerit.
Unlike the rest of the Americans plying their trade in top-flight European leagues, DeMerit - born just outside of the cheese-making mid-western city of Green Bay, Wisconsin - has never been called into a national-team camp (of any age category) and never even managed a competitive match in the US' top flight MLS. Instead, with a dream in his heart and little more then 1,800 USD in his wallet, the tall, athletic and determined striker-turned-fullback headed for England in the hope of making it among the big boys.
What he got upon his arrival in 2003 was not instant stardom or some fairytale twist, but rather a rude awakening. After lining up with MLS side Chicago Fire's reserves after a reasonably successful university stint which saw him leave basketball and athletics behind to focus strictly on football, it became obvious to the then 24-year-old that the club was not going to offer him a contract. After consultation with an English-born team-mate, he decided to have a go across the pond, a move made easier thanks to EU status gained through his Danish grandfather.
After unsuccessful trials with Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers, DeMerit - with little choice in the matter and very near stone-broke - kept fit and earned a few pounds here and there playing semi-pro football. "I was living in an attic with £2 in my pocket," he recently recalled.
However, at the start of the 2004/5 season, DeMerit was spotted - while training out of contract - with semi-pro Northwood (in the seventh tier of English football) by Watford boss Ray Lewington. His performance in a friendly earned DeMerit a trial with the then-first division Hertfordshire side, and after signing his first professional contract at the age of 26, DeMerit performed admirably for Watford as the side narrowly avoided relegation to the third tier of English football.
The start of the 2005/6 season saw a coaching change with the young and ambitious Adrian 'Aidy' Boothroyd called in. With the new manager's faith and backing, the American quickly became the lynchpin of a defence that performed brilliantly and helped seal a massively unlikely promotion to the Premiership via the play-offs - where the American scored and was named man of the match in the crucial win over Leeds United and countryman and US national team regular Eddie Lewis.
DeMerit - who only two years earlier did not know where his next paycheck was coming from - is now lining up against the likes of Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney in arguably the best league in the world. And what's more, he's looked good doing it.
Journeyman Jay
He recently checked another dream off his wish list: scoring a cracking header in an unfortunate 2-1 loss to Portsmouth.
Watford are currently languishing second-from-bottom and struggling to get goals, but Boothroyd is thrilled with the performances of his 'Yank' stalwart at the back. And the team have been earning plaudits for a fighting spirit that has seen them draw Newcastle United and Man City and edge out Middlesbrough 2-0.
"Jay has come so far since he came to the club, progressing from a raw, talented youngster to a brave, capable defender," Boothroyd said. "He was one of the major reasons for our success last season (in the promotion bid) and in the early part of this season has already shown that he's comfortable playing at a higher level."
"I am absolutely convinced that Jay will one day be the captain of this club," Boothroyd - who was shocked at DeMerit's exclusion from Bruce Arena's USA team for Germany 2006 - recently remarked. "No one works harder or sets a better example with the way he handles himself in training and away from the club."
Now on a long-term deal with the Hornets, DeMerit does not look out of his depth among the world's best and has become a favourite among the supporters at Vicarage Road with his spirit and tough tackling.
"If we keep working hard and stay together as a team, we might end up in the top ten or even in one of the spots for European competition," DeMerit announced. "Aiming for average only makes you average."
With the skies the limit for brave DeMerit and his hopeful Hornets, a long awaited call-up to the US national team - which will be under new management at the start of 2006 - is a foregone conclusion. And if his past is anything to go by; he will surely grab hold of his chance with both hands.
