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The Jay DeMerit Story

Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:24 AM EDT
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By Michael Sautter

Jay DeMerit playing for Watford.

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In his pre-match interview for the US-Ecuador friendly, US manager Bob Bradley talked a bit about Jay DeMerit's career and said "We do know that it's a great story." It is a good story if you're Jay DeMerit, not so good if you're Major League Soccer.

Briefly, here's Jay DeMerit's Story: He was a college stand-out defender for the University of Illinois at Chicago. DeMerit also played for the Chicago Fire's developmental team but went undrafted by MLS. He then went to play in England and started at the bottom, playing for a Sunday league team for just 40 pounds a week. In 2004 Jay advanced to a semi-professional team and eventually to Watford, who were promoted to the Premier League this season.

Great story, right? Maybe even worthy of a tele-movie. However why didn't Major League Soccer see Jay DeMerit's potential? And why hasn't he earned a cap yet? Does MLS have anything to do with this?

Bob Bradley said Jay DeMerit is slightly injured and will probably miss Sunday's match with Ecuador but may play Wednesday versus Guatemala. Who knows, this might be the start to Jay being a regular US MNT player and representing the United States in the next World Cup (cut, fad to black).

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Note: this originally appeared in my blog Soccerdelphia.

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Michael Sautter

US Men's National Team v Ecuador

Today, Sunday March 25,
Noon ET, ESPN 2

  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:26 AM EDT
Cash

DeMerit is a good player. It isn't that he's under-appreciated by the US National team, it's that the team is better. If this were 1990 he would definitely be a multi-cap guy.

Whenever I settle in for a night of gaming on Championship Manager I always get Demerit for Championship level or below. He's a star at that level and can play all three positions.

I'll know in 5 minutes if this is on in HD. If so, I am definitely watching.

  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:51 AM EDT
Michael Sautter

It isn't that he's under-appreciated by the US National team, it's that the team is better.

I know but for my TV-movie it works better if MLS tries to prevent him from representing the US and then he triumphs against all odds.

  • 2 votes
#2.1 - Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:59 PM EDT
Reply
Raff

It was nice to see Jay get to play against Guatemala. I think the US National team will play the best guys. And right now Demerit has to be considered. However, he's still playing for lowly Watford in the Premiership and isn't really considered a world-class defender. But he may fit well with this hard-working bunch.

Not trying to knock Demerit, but it does seem tha US defenders in the past have drawn more international appeal than other field players. And not sure Demerit has reached that level.

  • 1 vote
Reply#3 - Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:12 AM EDT
Michael Sautter

he's still playing for lowly Watford

Watford will be relegated back down to the Championship League and there's talk of transferring him to a Premiership side in the off-season.

I agree that the US MNT's defense is strong but I think they can make room for him.

  • 1 vote
Reply#4 - Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:33 AM EDT
Raff

I think they will. This last window was a good spot, because there wasn't much going on in Europe. I think we'll see him get his shot this summer.

If he does transfer to a premier side in the offseason, I hope he gets regular playing time.

  • 1 vote
#4.1 - Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:20 AM EDT
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