Sporting’s Watson seals MLS deal
JAMAICA and Sporting Central Academy midfielder JeVaughn Watson has landed a contract with Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Houston Dynamo, the Observer has learnt.
Watson, 27, has been on the radar of the Texas-based Dynamo following a successful pre-season trial stint, but a deal could not be finalised.
‘The Orange’, however, reopened talks with the former Garvey Maceo High student last month and indications are he has secured a deal after “passing a medical”.
And if reports in sections of the international media are correct, Watson could also make his first-team debut against New England Revolution this weekend.
“There is a hope he plays (on) Sunday,” said Dynamo’s coach Dom Kinnear, after Watson impressed in a reserve game victory over Sporting Kansas City on Monday.
“(He) started off very well in the first half and looked good,” Kinnear told tribalfootball.com. “He got a little tired out there as the game wore on, but he showed some good moments. Especially at the beginning of the game, he looked very good.”
Watson, who has also impressed on previous trial stints with English Premiership side Birmingham City and Denmark’s Veje Boldklub, will join fellow Reggae Boyz Lovell Palmer and Jermaine Taylor at Dynamo and underscored his joy at seeing the deal through.
“… I’m very happy I’m here,” he told the website. “It was a little bit of (an) issue between the (former) agent and the club. Everything worked out. It’s better late than never.
“I’ve got a lot of energy to bring to the team and a lot of skills,” he added. “Hopefully, I’ll score some goals to win the MLS Cup this year.”
Watson became the first Sporting Central player to secure a professional contract and club president Brandon Murray reckons this milestone will not only benefit the fleet-footed midfielder, but also inspire other players.
“This is the first contract opportunity for the club and we are very proud of it,” Murray told the Observer yesterday.
“It’s something that we’ve always aspired to and hopefully, there will be more to come because it will help to motivate other players in going after their dreams,” he stressed.
