U.S. National Team defender Jay DeMerit has apparently decided that MLS may just be his last, best option.
Jay DeMerit Has Eyes For MLS
The 30-year-old, whose rise to relative stardom is the thing about which awful sports cliche movies are made, was hoping to hook on with a top-division European team after playing every minute of the U.S.‘s World Cup journey. Instead, he’s been forced to sit on the sidelines as he’s been unable to find a suitable home.
Now, he’s turning his attention to MLS.
“Until I sign a contract with any club, of course I’m open to anything,” DeMerit wrote in an email to ESPN.com’s Jeff Carlisle. “But my main focus at the moment is coming back to the MLS. I know things can always change in a second in this sport.”
There were already reports during the summer that DeMerit was working on a contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have the top spot in the allocation order. This being MLS, though, nothing is final until ... well until MLS decides it is. Chances are that if MLS wants DeMerit and DeMerit wants MLS, the league will make sure he’s playing for whichever team he chooses and is willing to absorb his likely Designated Player contract.
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves or anything, but the signing of DeMerit would be significant signpost. Since the DP rule went into effect, those players have fit a pretty standard mold: relatively recognizable offensive players. While there have been some exceptions to the “recognizable” part, none of the players have been pure defenders like DeMerit.
The reasons are pretty clear: DPs are usually used as marketing tools and people like to see goals.
While the signing of DeMerit would undoubtedly draw a fair amount of positive press, it’s hard to imagine many people buying tickets based on wanting to see him play. DeMerit would, however, likely contribute to a higher quality of play. I’d like to think that a potential signing like this is a signal that at least some teams realize higher quality play will lead to more fans showing up, and be less inclined to rely on marketing gimmicks like mid- and late-season friendlies.
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