ORLANDO – Real Salt Lake on Tuesday will be competing for a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, a far cry from the early days of the 2005 MLS expansion season when victories were few and far between.
One of the biggest names on that first Real Salt Lake squad will be playing on Saturday night in the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic. The 13th overall selection in that 2005 SuperDraft, attacking winger Jamie Watson, headlines an Orlando City squad that will be looking to spring the surprise against Toronto FC (6 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com). Watson gave FC Dallas fits in the tournament opener on Thursday night.
“I’m happy here [in Orlando],” Watson told MLSsoccer.com. “My ambition one day is to be back in MLS but it has to be the right situation.”
Watson became a popular personality with the RSL fan base for his personality and his fiery style of play: all heart and hustle. He played 19 matches in that first season for manager John Ellinger, who was also his head coach on the US Under-17 national team.
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In addition to his contributions on the field, he became a public celebrity in Salt Lake City, participating in numerous appearances and community activities. Then an 18-year-old, Watson says the off-field attention became a distraction from his professional development. His playing time dwindled in the years following his rookie season and after being waived by RSL in 2008, he failed to latch on with FC Dallas later that year.
But now entering his third season with the Orlando City organization, which has relocated from Austin for the 2011 USL-Pro season, Watson has done well enough in the second division in recent years to draw attention from MLS again. During the recent offseason, an MLS club which made a bid for him, but a transfer couldn’t be agreed upon.
“Yes, there was an opportunity,” said the right winger. “But now I’m just focused on putting in a good season for Orlando.”
Watson’s contract with the USL-Pro club is set to expire after this season, and with two new MLS expansion clubs in 2011 and the Montreal Impact joining the fold in 2012, the opportunity for a player’s of Watson’s experience could be there. And he’s still only 24.
“It’s been seven years and I’ve grown a lot as a professional since 2005,” Watson said. “If there is an opportunity to return to MLS in the future, I’ll be ready for it.”
Check out the Feb. 24 edition of the ExtraTime Radio podcast, featuring D.C. United's Charlie Davies, Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando and league executive Nelson Rodrigueztalking about the new playoff structure.
