Throughout the history of Major League Soccer, rosters have been peppered with accomplished Jamaican players that have brought their own brand of creative flair to the league.
Players the likes of Omar Cummings, Dane Richards and Ryan Johnson have filled the scoresheets. Andy Williams was a mainstay for Real Salt Lake’s midfield, leading a charge of talent in the middle of the park while Tyrone Marshall was among the top defenders during his 15 years in the league. The same can be said for longtime goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
That pipeline continues to flow strong with the addition of Demar Phillips to Real Salt Lake’s roster this year. He comes with a bit of a different pedigree than his predecessors, though, bringing eight years of European experience to the back line at RSL. And while Phillips’ name has come up in recent years when RSL was seeking additions to its squad, Phillips too sought a move to Salt Lake because the club’s style of play fits so well with his approach.
“I’ve been watching the team and I like the team,” Phillips said from training camp in Casa Grande, Arizona, also noting that having Marshall and Williams on the coaching staff was a bonus. “They try to play football. That’s what I’m into. I want to play football. That’s a style I like, so that’s good. I can’t wait to start playing.”
Phillips’ professional past includes time with Waterhouse FC in his native Jamaica and a short stint at Stoke City, but he earned most of his time with Aalesund FK in Norway. There he won two championships in six seasons. He was loved by the fans and playing regularly, but he wanted to come to MLS to maintain a good level of competition and be closer to home and family in Jamaica.
Now in training camp with RSL, he is blending well with his new teammates and offering a new dynamic to the left back position, which had mostly been occupied for the last eight seasons by the ever-steady Chris Wingert.
At different points in his career, Phillips has played as a left winger and in 2011 he scored seven goals in 22 matches with Aalesund. With that capability, he adds a creative element to the position that will keep opposing defenses on their toes.
“I go forward a lot. I like to get involved in the attack,” Phillips said. “If I get into position to score, I will. I’m looking forward to getting a few goals on the scoresheet.”
