In this week's episode of the podcast Joe invites 2010 USMNT World Cup Veteran Jay DeMerit on the podcast!
If you've never heard of Jay DeMerit before here's some information straight from US Soccer's website:
Jay DeMerit’s story reads like those of many American players who tried to launch a professional career between the end of the North American Soccer League and the beginning of Major League Soccer. DeMerit took his game to England. After several tryouts and time spent playing park and pub soccer, DeMerit got his shot and ended up playing in the Premier League. Just one difference, DeMerit’s story starts in 2003.
A successful college player, DeMerit couldn’t catch on with any MLS club, spending a year with the Chicago Fire reserves. Holding a European passport, he decided to move to England and try there.
As decisions go…. A 2004 training game against Watford got him a contract and the next season he was crucial to the squad that won promotion to the Premier League.
By 2007, he was on the USMNT and made the 2010 World Cup squad.
DeMerit left Watford at the end of the 2010 season, signing with 2011 MLS expansion club Vancouver.
In the Fall of 2011, a movie about DeMerit’s move to England and eventual rise to prominence as a Premier League player was released. Titled Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story, the movie was partially funded by fans through a Kickstarter campaign.
Jay DeMerit announced his retirement on July 24, 2014. He finished his Vancouver Whitecaps tenure with 70 appearances and one goal.
Things to Check Out!
Joe:
Show: Welcome to Wrexham
Podcast: American Prodigies S1 ft. Freddy Adu
Jay:
Book: Breath by James Nestor
Show: Yellowstone
Podcast: Cooligans
Thanks to our incredible sponsors of the podcast:
Thanks for detoxing with DTALKS, now go and make a more inclusive world!