U.S. national team defender Jay DeMerit has finally found work. The former English second tier Watford player has been looking to hook up with a new club since his contract expired this summer, but strangely no European club was willing to offer the 30 year old defender a chance to play. DeMerit, who started in every World Cup final match this summer for the U.S., admitted a few weeks back that his best option might be to come home and star in the MLS. And after all of his potential European suitors have dropped out of the race, it appears that is exactly what DeMerit decided to do.
The expansion Vancouver Whitecaps have officially made DeMerit their first signee. The 30 year old Wisconsin native will join the new squad next season in their inaugural year in the MLS. Many critics believed that DeMerit will turn down the option to play in Canada hoping to land with a club closer to his Midwest home, but regardless of whether DeMerit decides to play for the Whitecaps or somebody else he is now property of the expansion club meaning that he would be valued at a few early draft picks if he hopes to join up with another squad.
It’s exciting news for the MLS’ newest club and it will be interesting to see what type of player DeMerit will be for the organization. Whenever a player is drafted is taken first in such a lottery draft, it always forces the athlete to become the face of the organization. DeMerit might not be a household name to soccer fans worldwide, but he is clearly one of the best American-born defenders in the game today and should make an instant impact on the pitch for his new side.
http://www.blogcdn.com/football.fanhouse.co.uk/media/2009/12/jay-demerit.jpg
